why i should go into business for myself

[grundlepunch]

or at least do side jobs or consulting...

here is the time breakdown for just 1 thing i have been working on.

-take image of laptop (49 gigs) - 1.5 hours
-set up loaner laptop (bare bones, just so user can be functional) - 1 hour
-wipe of infected laptop hd (single pass) then a re-format - 3 hours (program i chose to wipe with was slower then others used in the past)
-re-installing windows with drivers and updates - 2.5 hours
-installing user/agency specific software and encryption software - 5 hours

this is while simultaneously setting up specialty systems, working on servers and helping various end user problems.

i just cant help but think if i were to bill customers out in the real world how much money i could make every day. I just dont know how to start a business for myself (even to do side work) and cent a client base to get a constant flow of income.

dont get me wrong, i get paid good and my job is not terrible. But it would be dope to work my own hours and be my own boss, even if it were just for a few extra bones on the side.

anyone got any words of advice on how to start such a thing?

[ninetysix-ex-jay]

Side work is always a good thing IMO. I actually need my laptop reformatted pretty bad actually it lags like its its job

[04WranglerX]

I want to start my own business every I mow lawns at 40+ a pop and i'm doing 25 a day while my boss drives around pricing jobs.

No words of advice except do it. I think the only way to be successful in life is to make huge goals, then meet them.

[Mighty Quine]

my cousin does it

http://www.pcguysct.com/

[wannabejeep]

I want to start my own business every I mow lawns at 40+ a pop and i'm doing 25 a day while my boss drives around pricing jobs.

No words of advice except do it. I think the only way to be successful in life is to make huge goals, then meet them.

the difference with that job is your overhead is huge. In order to do that number of lawns you realistically need 2 guys, 2 mowers, a wacker, a blower, a truck and a trailer. (depending on lawn size and shit) With what Dana is talking about, he knows how to do this stuff already, and it requires little equipment that will have to be paid off before profits come a rollin in.

[grundlepunch]

With what Dana is talking about, he knows how to do this stuff already, and it requires little equipment that will have to be paid off before profits come a rollin in.

almost no overhead, just dont know how to go about marketing myself and getting clients , also just the general idea of starting my own business. kinda want to be the IT guy/system admin for small companies that cant afford or need a full time guy on site.

[HeavyMetal]

pay some dude to make you cool commercials and advertising imagery to promote yourself

people appreciate a clean image

[loudobbs]

or at least do side jobs or consulting...

here is the time breakdown for just 1 thing i have been working on.



this is while simultaneously setting up specialty systems, working on servers and helping various end user problems.

i just cant help but think if i were to bill customers out in the real world how much money i could make every day. I just dont know how to start a business for myself (even to do side work) and cent a client base to get a constant flow of income.

dont get me wrong, i get paid good and my job is not terrible. But it would be dope to work my own hours and be my own boss, even if it were just for a few extra bones on the side.

anyone got any words of advice on how to start such a thing?

get a business plan and a loan that will last you 2-3 years.

I am also in IT consulting... considering the same thing, with an mba having buddy of mine...

[grundlepunch]

pay some dude to make you cool commercials and advertising imagery to promote yourself

people appreciate a clean image

but, where on earth could i find someone to do that?

[grundlepunch]

get a business plan and a loan that will last you 2-3 years.

I am also in IT consulting... considering the same thing, with an mba having buddy of mine...

where do said business plans come from?

[loudobbs]

but, where on earth could i find someone to do that?

When was the last time you saw a commercial for business level technology consulting. Cold calling son, sales 101.

[loudobbs]

where do said business plans come from?

friends with mba's, heh.

Honestly im not entirely sure on the loan process, thats his department. BUT an IT company has pretty low startup costs;

exchange/fs - $5000
domain - $60
vendor programs - another $5-10k

From there its all about having connections or making new ones... do you have a non compete with your current company? Are you consulting or at a help desk?

[HeavyMetal]

When was the last time you saw a commercial for business level technology consulting. Cold calling son, sales 101.

i dont mean a literal TV commercial

clean advertisement

sales 101 doesnt teach promo 101

[loudobbs]

i dont mean a literal TV commercial

clean advertisement

sales 101 doesnt teach promo 101

we honestly dont do any promotion; we get a few contacts from word of mouth but its mostly just our sales dept going out and finding clients.

[HeavyMetal]

we honestly dont do any promotion; we get a few contacts from word of mouth but its mostly just our sales dept going out and finding clients.

oh my mistake then, ill let Dana's sales department take care of things.