Can I be happy at work? (or should I start my own biz?)

jhelgesen · 08-20-2009, 08:33 AM

Here I sit in my third all day meeting this week, pondering life, happiness, and what I want to do with my life. Thank goodness I have pelican access on my cell phone.

I'm a 20 year veteren product designer and project manager, sitting in a position where I'm over qualified and under utilized. I design rings around the people over me, and currently there is zero path for upward mobility.

I know the economy sucks these days, so I have to figure out for my own sanity, do I sit tight, try to start something, look for something else?

What would you do?

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

If you can afford to go a year without a paycheck, start your own business. I'm in a similar boat to yours, but can't afford to not have a steady paycheck.

MT930 · 08-20-2009, 09:45 AM

The grass is always greener on the other side.

I have been self employed for the last 20 years I have owned two successful business in that time. For the first time in 20 years I wish is was working for someone and getting a paycheck. The economic devastation I am seeing every day with clients and competitors is very depressing.

If you have true confidence in your talents and heavy reserves this maybe the time to go and take clients with you in your own business.

If not hold on tight, the ride could get rougher. 60% of the business I talk to are not showing profits of any type.

jhelgesen · 08-21-2009, 07:11 AM

Hmmmm, reserves aren't high enough to go a year.....wish they were. Guess I like my toys too much.

I have to remember what my late FIL told me.... "if you liked it, they wouldn't call it work"

Best to stick with moonlighting and networking for now....

Thanks!

djmcmath · 08-21-2009, 09:01 AM

Don't give up on starting your own just yet -- can you do something on the side? Can you start something in your nights and weekends when you're not "designing circles around" your seniors that could turn into something? Can you slowly build that business until you can transition from your "day job" to the alternate?

Or is there something else you can do? Do your creative talents lend themselves to some other job entirely -- not taking your clients and building your own business doing what you do, but doing something else entirely?

Word is that a lot of great businesses have been started in down economies. Smart people with the skills to survive out there are making money.

Good luck.

Dan

varmint · 08-21-2009, 09:07 AM

be thankful you have work. it sucks out here right now.

jhelgesen · 08-21-2009, 09:27 AM

This is what I've been doing in my spare time....but I worry about taking my hobby to the business step, I've ruined hobbies for myself before by making them a business. (But this funds my car habit)

So I try to look at this as a learning tool and apply what I learn about metals and fabrication to my list of experience.

fastfredracing · 08-21-2009, 11:21 AM

If you are going to try to start a buisness, may be wise to start it on the side, and work nites, and evenings, until you feel you are safe enough to let go of that top branch. I kept a part time night job for the first 6-8 months when I opened my buisiness.\
IF it makes you feel any better, I have been self employed now for 16-17 years, and I ponder the same exact things you are now., and I frequently have financial stresses/ deadlines/ and all of the other stresses that go with having your own gig.
It looks as if you do beautiful cage work, and you probably love doing it now, but I bet after 10 years of welding/ grinding , and doing if for moneythat you may start to l feel the same way about that .I think the only real way to find happiness , and get out the 9-5 rut, is to get mailbox income, where you dont have to pound the pavement everyday to pay your bills, then you can fulfill your life with worthwile activities.
You are stuck in meetings right, now, I am taking a break from a brake job on a dump truck, beating the hell out of myself, sweating, and greasy as all getup. Hang in there buddy .

on2wheels52 · on2wheels52's Garage

"If you can afford to go a year without a paycheck, start your own business."
Certainly some truth to that, it helps if you know how to live cheap. To do it over again (and it was only me, no family), I wouldn't have a residence, would just sleep at the shop for a few years. Have been the sole proprietor for so long, I can't remember what it was like to have a boss/be an employee. Or know the schedule for the next payday. Good thing I like suprises.
Jim

wcc · 08-21-2009, 06:21 PM

I'm right there with you. Seriously! I work in a cube everyday and often drift away thinking there has to more to life then sitting in a box working for someone. Well I started a paint repair business and it was growing but then my wife and I started having kids. So I sold it to be around more. Well a few years later, I'm back to where I was. I SAVED big time for a few years, 7?, just for this. I bought a building and now in the process of opening a small ice cream/deli place. I can't quit my job because it pays the bills so I'll have some part-time people working for me and I'll be there evenings and weekends. Maybe I'll be able to leave my 'steady' job early and do this full time, if nothing else I may be able to retire early. Keep pressing on for your freedom/dream and don't let the nay-sayers hold you back. I've been told, don't bother/don't waste your time/you'll never make any money/you'll never make a living/etc. Yet my last 'side' business was profitable and sold for a profit and I've been told this about my current adventure. We will see! My only serious advice is to NEVER over extend your self to not being able to pay it back with your current job. I say go for it!!!