« Zelda: Phantom Hourglass | Main | Board Game Geek Con »
November 10, 2007
Going Into Business for Myself
Yesterday was my last day at work. I finally decided to go into business for myself. This has been a very long range goal of mine since way before I even started working there 7 years ago.
I put in my 2 week notice before Halloween. Everyone was shocked at work and seemed to think it was sudden. I had to explain that it wasn't sudden at all...but planned over an extremely long period of time. When I make plans like this, I tend to keep them to myself. Even my roommate was surprised when I told him about it. He knew I had always wanted to do this, but didn't realize I was so close to being able to do it.
In order to achieve this goal, I had to achieve a smaller subset of goals first. The first was to remove all debt. As it stands, I have no debt. The only bills I have are rent and utilities, so I have very little worries about my financial situation. The second goal was to build up a certain amount of capital to be used to keep me afloat while my business gets rolling. This I have done over the last 3 years. I currently have enough saved up to live happily for more than 6 months without any income at all. These 2 things by themselves were good starts, but I have also created some contingency plans in case of failure. Some of these contingencies can be enacted during slow times for my business to continue to receive revenue. Some are to be used in case of total failure. Either way, in 6 months time, I should know whether my business will really make it or not.
People at my old job were really supportive about the idea. Many tried to talk me out of it initially, but once they found out I was resolved they wished me well and gave me advice. I will miss the people there, but I won't be totally out of touch. My roommate still works there and I hang out with some of the others socially.
Oh...but I haven't said what I am going to do for a living now. :)
My new business is an on-site IT business. I'll be helping people with their computers and networks in their homes and businesses. So, it is basically the same thing I was doing the last 2 years at my old work, but for private people and businesses.
What's next? Well, I have to get my ducks in a row (business license, tax ID, insurance, etc...). I'm going to start all of that on Monday...but a curious turn of events is that I timed all of this to happen just before my trip to Texas, so as not to leave them short at work. This means that, in the greater scheme of things, I won't really be available to start work until after Thanksgiving weekend. Most likely, I will have some loose ends to take care of after I get back from my trip.
Well, wish me luck! :)
Posted by Kaishaku at November 10, 2007 09:18 PM
Comments
Good luck Leland! Huzzah!
Posted by: at November 12, 2007 07:32 AM