Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Greetings All,

I`m fairly new to Startup Nation, but felt like posting in here for a little support. I have been planning for my new Interior Decorating business  (Nohea Interiors) for two years. I got the necessary education/certification, wrote the business plan, saved 6 months expenses, built a website/collateral, and as of today quite my day job as a graphic designer. I wanted to go part time at my day job as a way to ease into my business. However, my supervisor wouldn`t go for it. I decided last night that it was time to just quit. So here I am, 6 more weeks with a consistent paycheck. I`m excited, nervous, but feeling like I needed to take the plunge. When did you know it was time to quit the day job? Did you ever regret it?

Thanks,
Calie

 

Calie -

Welcome, congratulations and good luck!!!

I`ve worked completely independently the last 20 years.  No regrets at all.  As I always tell people, "It`s not that I don`t play well with others; it`s just that I want to choose where, when and with whom I play."

- J.





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Jeff Fisher | Jeff Fisher LogoMotives | Tweet! Tweet!

Hi Calie,

Welcome to StartUp Nation and Congratulations on the ballsy decision to cut the cord.

It`s scary indeed-I had to do the same thing 2 years ago.  It took a lot of guts and sleepless nights but at the end of the day, I was happy I made the right decision.  I like the freedom and the control that I have on my destiny.

The good thing is you`re in San Francisco. It`s a great place to set up shop for Interior Designing.  Have you planned on how you are going to market your business? The initial struggle would be in having to get your business out there-once you have that it will be a cinch because you can start picking up business from referrals.

Don`t let the fear take over, entrepreneurship is a constant battle of survival. To answer your questions:

I knew to leave my job when I have a little bit put away to survive for 6 months-1 year.  I also knew to leave when the company I work for was cutting some of our perks.  I figured I could do better.

No-I`ve never regret my decision to leave.  Best decision I`ve ever made.

Good Luck to you!

LT




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http://www.face2facevideocard.com
"videos can say it like it is"
09-21-2007

www.senatinproperties.com
real estate investments

Yes, Congrats Calie!  Your starter page is beautiful, I can`t wait to see the rest!  What is the Hawaiian connection?

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Leslie
Founder and President
Charmed Life Products LLC
Grill Charms™… The MUST HAVE grilling accessory that is revolutionizing the American Cook-out AND The perfect gift for any occasion!
Grill Charms
                                                                                                    

Hi Leslie, Thanks for the compliemts! If you click on my logo on the starter page you will get into the site.  I`m originally from Hawaii and go more into detail about it on my website.

Best,
Calie

J - I love your quote  "It`s not that I don`t play well with others; it`s just that I want to choose where, when and with whom I play." I couldn`t agree more.

Hi LT,

Thanks for the reply. Yes, I`ve planned out how to market myself , but haven`t put an actual hit the ground running strategy together yet. I guess there`s no better time than today.

I`ve been on my own for about 20 years.

Here`s what I regret:

Not realizing I really am more of a self-employed type early on. Had I been confident in knowing that I`m not a corporate type instead of listening to those who would want me to be a corporate type, I would blazed ahead a lot faster. If you are certain you are a true `do it yourselfer` type, don`t let naysayers stop you. I stopped and started, and lobbied for corporate contracts only to be miserable when I got them. (It was just like being an employee only without bennies.)

Not setting up a retirement (SEP or other) plan sooner and paying myself first. Times can be lean for self-employed but it`s important to remember to pay yourself first, regardless. That will assure you that you don`t have the `I should have worked a government job` blues when it comes closer to retirement (if you want to retire).

Not setting up a good social support system early on. Working by myself for myself causes you to be somewhat isolated at times and it`s important to schedule social lunches and to get out and network....

Not doing more networking. It`s important to join the Chamber, the BBB, etc. not so much for what they might offer, but for the people contacts and the feeling as if you too belong and are a business person.

Not planning, and re-doing my plan each six months (or more often). Business changes and you really have to have a plan. It`s easy to get swept up in the immediate business, but that causes you to loose focus or to follow someone else`s needs.

Not knowing when to cut out crappy clients, thinking I needed them to start. I didn`t and they cost me more in time and angst than I realized. Also part of this is setting a ceiling, both high and low in terms of what I felt my time was worth. Oftentimes starting out you`ll take any ole job. Don`t. Pick a price range and stick with it, then go about cultivating those clients in that price range.

Not catering to EVERYONE. It was hard at first, but really you need to find out who really is your customer, how much they buy/purchase, their turn over rate and average sale.

Asking for help and carving out time to continue to learn about business. I didn`t go to business school, and am relatively smart (aren`t we all!) but I realize I could have really used some business classes early on. I read a lot, but going to college might have helped me.

Not conferring with others who have been there/done that. StartupNation is good as is SCORE.

I`d also recommend making sure you have done the Startup Nation Life plan. That was very, very helpful.

Hope that helps!

Lindalouwho,
Thank you so very much for your incredible post. It was so honest, clear, and reconfirmed my desire to move forward with my business.  I wish I had known I wasn`t a corporate type earlier, instead of getting caught up in that race and feeling inadequate or as if there was something wrong with me for not wanting to follow the heard.

I was interested with your experience on taking corporate freelance gigs. Sounds like it wasn`t a good thing for you and I can see why. I too, have been toying with the idea of creating part time supplemental income while I launch my company. However, I am torn because I feel like I have an opportunity at this stage in my life to really focus on my business. I worry, that if I run out and get a part time gig, then I won`t move forward with my business quickly enough. Not to mention the mental affect it will have on me.

Yes, SCORE is great and I have been working with them over the last year. I have been listening to the Start up Nation Podcasts as well, which have been great motivators.

Again, thanks for your post!

Not even once....in the several self-operated careers I`ve had. :-)

Just try to let go of the belief that you must have an excellent credit rating all the time in order to accomplish anything. If your rating tanks in the beginning, so be it. But you can always go back and fix it later.