Self employed/starting your own business

[raquetcat]

to be a consultant you either have to be very knowledgeable in your field or good at BS-ing.

nobody that is very knowledgable in their field is stuck consulting.

I guess the consultants I've met have had a lot of experience, but I agree just because you're knowledgeable doesn't mean you're stuck consulting

[michigancat]

fair enough. "starting a business is a sucker's bet" was a little harsh and only half serious.

what none of us has touched on yet (and the most important part of all of this) is, why is racquetcat suddenly thinking about starting his own business? he is more than likely around thirty and is somehow unhappy enough about something that he is comtemplating a major, major life change. is it his current job? his current boss? the place he is living in/at? his current spouse/partner/etc? his lack of a current spouse/partner/etc? maybe he has a dog and he really wants a cat or a bunny rabbit. idk, but this is what we don't know.

my advice to racquetcat is to quit being a dumbass and to take a day or two to think about what he is unhappy with and then make a plan to fix that. this "oh man i'm thinking about starting my own business, give me ideas" is nothing more than brain fodder to take his mind off of what is currently messing w/ him and no time/talent venn diagram is going to fix it.

Good post.  It sometimes does require someone to hit rock bottom or close to it, to make a change like this.  I think as long as he's thought it through, has some backup, and found something potentially profitable (even if its high risk) he should most definitely go for it.  You only live once, have no regrets, etc.  I'm sure a high % of people go through the "eff the grind, I'm going to do my own crap" phase.  Curious the thoughts of people who've went for it and failed, vs. the people who pussed out.  Think of how bitter you'd feel 5, 10, 20 years down the line, not going for something potentially life changing.

I went for it about 3 years ago.  Feels like this everyday: .  It did require me being at a low point to gain the balls.

I definitely haven't hit bottom. I have a good job and make decent money, but the thought of working for the next 40 years (I'm 25) busting my ass, and maybe if I play the office politics right getting to a manager, director, or VP position all the while making somebody else rich doesn't sound like fun. I'm not somebody who lives to work, but i still want to some what enjoy what i do. If I went out on my own (which I've thought about for years) it would not be a spur of the moment thing because my life sucks (which it doesn't). I was just curious to see what people who had done their own thing had experienced, good and bad, I appreciate the candid comments.

become a teacher

[stunted]

I definitely haven't hit bottom. I have a good job and make decent money, but the thought of working for the next 40 years (I'm 25) busting my ass, and maybe if I play the office politics right getting to a manager, director, or VP position all the while making somebody else rich doesn't sound like fun. I'm not somebody who lives to work, but i still want to some what enjoy what i do. If I went out on my own (which I've thought about for years) it would not be a spur of the moment thing because my life sucks (which it doesn't). I was just curious to see what people who had done their own thing had experienced, good and bad, I appreciate the candid comments.

Betcha stick with your job.  Hope you get that fire though.

I quit school to play poker, then helped begin a startup with a friend.  Without our elite connections, I'm not sure there's much separation between us and the clusterfuck of other Silicon Valley startups.  Its pretty clear what qualities are needed - you gotta be self-motivated and have an open mind.  Lots of crap will come up - competition, marketing failures, you have to be always thinking of ways to innovate.  I also have a lot of pressure as many others are depending on me.  It's been a good experience - lots of personal growth, freedom, and everyday is interesting.  Also most of our assistants are hot (Asia #1).  Life afterwards if this goes well would be nice, I think its important to set it up early so things become automated.  I wouldn't recommend getting into the .com game but other fields should have the same idea.  Apps could be a possibility.