[ruffyz]

I've been working for the man for about 4 years now and I'm getting the itch to try to strike it out on my own. I know that I can't be possibly be ready after just 4 years of experience, yet the desire exists. Are there any self employed folks or people who have joined a start up that can share their experience? Anyone else out there who hasn't taken the plunge, but is thinking about it?

My field is software engineering and telecommunications, but really I'm looking for anyone who is willing to share their story.

[Nerfbar]

PM sent.

[rs911t]

Years of experience, while useful, isn't necessary. Do a quick survey of the tech companies in the news these days. You'll find many first timers. Lots of activity today in the DC area. You shouldn't have too much trouble hooking up with a start up. Going alone requires a good direction, dedication and a lot of work (probably incompatible with a LeMons team). Most importantly to need to be able to crash, burn, get up and ask for more.

[Cliff Claven]

you just need to cut the apron strings. scarey at first, but then you'll find you survive. if you work hard and deliver a better product/service than anyone else you'll prosper. you pay your own health insurance and you don't get paid for taking a day off. there is no safety net. you'll have to be self-reliant, surviving on your wits, honing your strengths.

so much easier to sell your sole to the man in return for the steady paycheck with all the benefits and little personal responsibility. they make it easy that way because it's what they want you to do, until the malaise sets in and then they own you. doesn't take long until you're boxed in, they max out your earning, monopolize your time and control your spending and movements, you become the perfect conformed citizen, a little functioning cog in the "great machine," a consumer of over-priced crap products with no original thought of your own.

get out now while you can! take back your life. become an entrepreneur.

[Trak Ratt]

^ Wow, makes me want to burn my ID card,

jump the turn style,

flip off the parking guard

and head out for where "if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere" vill…











or just serf for some entrepreneurial porn!

[GT3]

I never did get a job after college, just started a business. No need to wait - just do it.

[tbernard]

August will be 3 years since I made the jump. My wife had a consulting company, after 8 years, she was surviving but the day when it would be a no brainer for me to jump over never came. I finally got the ball's to take a chance, quit my job and we've never looked back. Sure you work a whole lot more, health care is expensive, but it in the end is so much more rewarding, everything you do is for you and putting money in your pocket.

[Dr K]

Went with a start-up 12 years ago. Cut my full-time medical practice down to 20%. It took YEARS to make any profit and resulted in huge reduction in my income. I'd do it again in a second!

[ruffyz]

Originally Posted by Dr K

Went with a start-up 12 years ago. Cut my full-time medical practice down to 20%. It took YEARS to make any profit and resulted in huge reduction in my income. I'd do it again in a second!

Hrm, so what you'll are saying is what I suspected all along. I'm bat shit crazy . But seriously it seems like a terrible idea to work harder and longer for less money at much higher risk. Yet, so somehow the idea is so alluring. What the heck do I have to gain?

[ruffyz]

Originally Posted by Cliff Claven

you just need to cut the apron strings. scarey at first, but then you'll find you survive. if you work hard and deliver a better product/service than anyone else you'll prosper. you pay your own health insurance and you don't get paid for taking a day off. there is no safety net. you'll have to be self-reliant, surviving on your wits, honing your strengths.

so much easier to sell your sole to the man in return for the steady paycheck with all the benefits and little personal responsibility. they make it easy that way because it's what they want you to do, until the malaise sets in and then they own you. doesn't take long until you're boxed in, they max out your earning, monopolize your time and control your spending and movements, you become the perfect conformed citizen, a little functioning cog in the "great machine," a consumer of over-priced crap products with no original thought of your own.

get out now while you can! take back your life. become an entrepreneur.

Also, this ^^