Sad news...

[MobileAudio219]

Last winter the fireworks store/gas station I was working at closed down on very short notice... Well I put in some applications at a few places but nothing came of it so I started doing some little odd jobs to get by, after about 2 weeks of this I enjoyed my freedom and decided to see if I could make a career out of it... I decided I would give myself about 6 months to see if I truely like it before I get all licensed and what have you... Well its been about 7 months now and its time for me to decide on rather or not I'm going to stick with it and get a business license and all that jazz or if Im going to just get a 'real' job....

Well I decided to get a job and become normal again... The odd jobs I was doing consisted of mechanic work, construction work, yard work, etc, etc...

I put in an application where my aunt works and my chances look pretty good... The job starts out at 9 a hour and should move up to about 9.50 within the first 3 months (which isnt great but should get me by)... study hours and a study paycheck is all I'm really concerned about....

Anways, maybe I'll save up until next year and rethink the business idea, maybe then I can afford to do it right (licensed/insured)...

But I will say this, theres some pretty good money in doing odd jobs....

[Ryan from Ohio]

Theres a guy in our town that owns a business like you describe.

His business is a "commercial services" variety. He inherited/owned a local hardware store and it finally went under.

So now he does installs of plumbing and general "handy man" type work. He also cleans carpets, all sorts of yard work, windows, etc,etc. Just odd jobs. Hes making a good profit also...

If you can make it work doing what you were doing why quit?

[Chris from Washington]

one thing you have to remember is insurance, you may not need it now but someday you will.

It's pretty expensive, and that's when working a 'normal' job that has benefits start to look better. Also a good 401k plan or pension plan is nice too.

Just something to think about.

[MobileAudio219]

If you can make it work doing what you were doing why quit?

Eh, because right now I'm doing it under the table and I dont want to do that anymore... To get it going completely legal it would end up costing a few grand, which I dont have... I'd be working the night shift so I could still do a few odd jobs in the morning and on the weekends, then I could save ALL the money from that until I have enough to start it up the right way (including a company truck).

So basically I'm not completely giving up on it, I'm just putting it on the back burner... I want to do it the right way, but I also dont want to struggle with it... So the plan is to work the full time job so I have money to live on, then still do a few odd jobs here and there to put into a savings account so I can start a REAL business next year some time...

[cargodz]

Owning your own business has pros and cons.
Pros:
Freedom from the "boss"
Making your own schedule
Having the feeling of being a bigger part of this little marble we call earth

Cons:
Giving up your free time (you can't just leave work with no worries)
Not always a steady paycheck
Bills out the @ss (you not only have to worry about your living expenses, but all of your business expenses now too)

So think about all of this before you make any final decisions.
You may find that working part time somewhere and owning a business works too.

Myself, I have 2 business' (Car Godz you all know, and also a cleaning business) and I still work part time mornings at Menards just so I can have health insurance.

Good luck on what ever you decide

[MobileAudio219]

Yeah, I hear that....

I probably could get a loan and start up now, but I would rather start up on my own money rather than being in debt right from the get-go.... Plus, it'll give me some time to do research so I can be more knowledgeable in the business area...


Hey ryan, what all do you have to have in order to run a business likes yours since your not really selling anything but rather providing a service?

[MobileAudio219]

I just talked to my future brother in law who just got hired there, seems like they have some pretty cool bonuses and what have you. I kinda hope that they call, if not I'll probably put in an application where my cousin works...