Is running my own business just a pipe dream?
The more I think of it the more I realize that I was never really meant to work for other people. I believe that my true calling is running my own business. Over the years I’ve dabbled in business off and on but haven’t really had the resources to make a true go of it.
My first business was called Harbourview Electronics and was based out of my parents house. I started it when I was about 16 years old and mainly sold things on eBay. My next venture came when I was about 17 years old. I started a company with a friend, we called On The Verge Technologies, Inc. Nothing much happened with that as we didn’t have much time because we were in high school.
A few years later I bought out a carpet cleaning business from a friend and started running that in my spare time. At that time I had a full time job and didn’t have the energy to work a second job in the off hours. I eventually traded my gear from that business to a car dealer in exchange for a 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier (along with my truck). This business actually paid for itself though :).
So now I have another small business called Nerfd Technologies. This one, I run out of my apartment in my spare time. I’ve been doing relatively well actually, but it’s just part time and more of a hobby than anything. I sell computer equipment, design and maintain websites, and provide general tech support for home and small business users.
What I really want is to be able to focus all of my energy on my own business. I want to open a computer store (or some other sort of store) and be able to run it full time. I have family members who are in business and have been very successful so I believe I would have some resources there to draw upon for help and advice. The only problem with this idea is that some people don’t think it’s a good idea or that it’s too risky. I’ve always been a risk taker and that is part of the appeal of a new business.
I know I have the experience needed to start a computer business. I’ve been working in the IT industry for 5 years now and I’ve got just about all the experience I need for this type of venture. Anything else I could do through contractors. The biggest part, that worries most people, is the up front financial cost (duh!). I know it would cost at least $20,000 to get me going. This should cover a few months rent as well as the initial stock for the store. I would have to pay myself an hourly wage of some sort but could get away with a small amount (enough to pay personal bills) until the business started making enough money to allow for a bigger payout.
Some days I feel like this is just a vague pipe dream. Will it ever happen? I don’t know but I sure hope that it does. I’ve always wanted something to call my own and have the freedoms that come with an established business. As I mentioned earlier I am intrigued and interested in the risk associated with the whole idea as well. The though of it is invigorating.
~TheNerd
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Comments
If this is truly what you want you can do it. I recommend to always test out your ideas by writing a full business plan including financial projections first. I know it’s not very exciting but, it will identify an potential problems or weaknesses that you may want to address before investing the dollars. SCORE has many free templates and other resources to help start ups. Good Luck!
I think the best way to mull something over is to have a good plan. This will help you and potential investors get a good feel for what your goals are.
Step one to a successful journey is to read this book.
It is the best “starting a business” book I have read….EVER! I can lend it to you if you like, next time we cross paths.
But reading through your posts I see the same struggles any of us with those aspirations have. We go from low risk idea to low risk idea, never really taking a through stab at a business or a business with a future anyway.
The key is to align yourself with hardworking,dependable and capable people who can also multi-task. So often people try and go at it solo. It just does not work.
Do you have business ideas? Send them my way. I have an IT background as you know, and am pretty competent when it comes to negotiations and business development.