Anyone Here Work For Themselves/Own Their Own Business?

Not trying to sidetrack the thread, but everybody seems to highlight those couple people who dropped out of high school and/or chose not to go to college who are successful. For those few people, think of the thousands/millions that had the same "dream" but are sitting on their ***.

Yes I know, look at all the college graduates with no jobs. But too many people nowadays are wrapped into the "I can't work for somebody" or "I can't have anybody telling me what to do"
Fair enough, there's a lot of people who complain and don't really want to put in the work. But I'm not focused on them, I'm thinking about the successful people.

That said, great advice guys. I appreciate all of it and feel free to share more.
 
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I quit that 9-5 life back in 2009. Been self employed ever since. My current business grew into something that I didnt plan on initially. I run a CD/DVD duplication & print. I invested in the equipment because I needed professional looking CD's to promote/sell my music (I was a rapper at the time). I realized that I could offer my services to all the other artists in my city that needed/wanted what I was offering but didnt have or know of the avenues & resources available to them.

Now I work with hundreds of aspiring & established artists locally & nationwide.

Heres my site: www.TheGrindington.com
 
I quit that 9-5 life back in 2009. Been self employed ever since. My current business grew into something that I didnt plan on initially. I run a CD/DVD duplication & print. I invested in the equipment because I needed professional looking CD's to promote/sell my music (I was a rapper at the time). I realized that I could offer my services to all the other artists in my city that needed/wanted what I was offering but didnt have or know of the avenues & resources available to them.

Now I work with hundreds of aspiring & established artists locally & nationwide.

Heres my site: www.TheGrindington.com
That's awesome.  What's the biggest challenge you've faced so far?
 
Been working on my own for about a decade now
 
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I have a mobile dj business, does that count?

It started out as a hobby. Then people got to dj backyard yard parties, then quickly escalated to spinning at clubs. Business got slow because of computer djs so I focused on being a HALL dj (weddings, Quinces, anniversary etc).

I still do backyard parties and clubs but my main focus are Weddings. Thats where the money is. Its a lot more work than club or back yard party but its well worth it.
 
Need to start giving my LLC more attention :smh:

After a year and some change working in the real world I'm not sure if I can make it 40 years without pulling all of my hair out working for/with some of these people
 
I'll be honest, I've been inspired by the Tariq Nasheeds and Nipsey Hussles of the world.  These guys didn't go to college and are absolutely getting it, with no boss up their ***.  

They have assets that increase in value 24/7 and diversified income streams so if one stream falls through they're propped up.  

That's where I want to be but I'm looking for guidance from someone who's done it so I know how to do it the right way and minimize my mistakes.

Spot on bro.

I'm dealing with this myself actually. I keep doubting myself and just have to remind myself it takes hard work. Sure people have been lucky and caught big breaks but 99.99%, to be successful, you have to man up and work your *** off.
 
I'm actually looking to give the freelance and business a break while I look into other opportunities or possible 9-5 jobs, just to be social and shake things up.

However, I would still flow that money into my other business and hopefully still be able to pick things up right where they left off. It's hard to say or be confident about that kind of decision...
 
I work for myself. If business ever starts to get slow or if I start to feel alone at home, I usually get a job at a mall where I talk to a lot of people. I get a job part time but I usually always get a great position because of my stunning resume.

Working for myself has kept me living straight and great since I was 12 years old.

It's great. I get to do what I want when I want, and from wherever I want. I can travel to see my girl whenever I want and not have to worry about missing work.
 

I could probably be doing it on my own but having a co-pilot has been crucial to my business, the amount if pressure she releases from me and the skill she brings to our business has really helped a ton....I wouldn't shut down the idea of building a family business with your woman, then again as a young man I don't expect a lot of you to be at that level, but if you are don't shut your woman out, help each other out.
 
I have a mobile dj business, does that count?

It started out as a hobby. Then people got to dj backyard yard parties, then quickly escalated to spinning at clubs. Business got slow because of computer djs so I focused on being a HALL dj (weddings, Quinces, anniversary etc).

I still do backyard parties and clubs but my main focus are Weddings. Thats where the money is. Its a lot more work than club or back yard party but its well worth it.

Similar to me but on the photography end, feels real good to work a full day doing what you love and making what you would make in a month at your regular job....wedding related anything is where the money is....in offseason I do a lot of portrait photography, corporate events, etc...every year this thing brings in more and more profit....took a whole and a lot of investing to get here tho.
 
I'm looking to set up my own food truck in the near future. Any inputs?

I am self employed now and even though it has nothing to do with food I've been thinking about this as well. I originally wanted to open a restaurant but, I want to give this a shot as welI
I have so many great ideas and being that my dad is a chef we've already come up with multiple concepts and had friends and family try out the food and everyone just gets blown away. I would also like input on this. How much would starting cost be? Expenses? Licences? Etc etc..

OP, being self employed takes a lot. You have to work REALLY hard and your business doesn't always thrive or becomes successful. It's also a very big risk. Along with the benefits of it there are many many stress factors. Whatever choices you make, be smart about them. I live in Brooklyn and my neighborhood is pretty lively. We had three sneaker/clothing stores open up (at different times) in a 1 mile radius here but, they were closed within months but, there's about 15 restaurants that have been there for years. If you have a idea look for a location that'll best fit it. If you have a good location .. look for what that neighborhood needs.
 
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I'll be honest, I've been inspired by the Tariq Nasheeds and Nipsey Hussles of the world.  These guys didn't go to college and are absolutely getting it, with no boss up their ***.  

They have assets that increase in value 24/7 and diversified income streams so if one stream falls through they're propped up.  

That's where I want to be but I'm looking for guidance from someone who's done it so I know how to do it the right way and minimize my mistakes.
All it takes is hard work. You gotta be self motivated to make things better for yourself. Find a lane and stick with it and master it. We all have a role in this place we call Earth. Find it.
 
Similar to me but on the photography end, feels real good to work a full day doing what you love and making what you would make in a month at your regular job....wedding related anything is where the money is....in offseason I do a lot of portrait photography, corporate events, etc...every year this thing brings in more and more profit....took a whole and a lot of investing to get here tho.
Right on bro. I love weddings. The money is right and like you said, you get paid to do something you love. The investing part is true. A lot of money is well spent. If you continue doing what you're doing, you can get it all back and some. I hate seeing other business people with crappy equipment. But at the same time it's funny to watch them fail.
 
Right on bro. I love weddings. The money is right and like you said, you get paid to do something you love. The investing part is true. A lot of money is well spent. If you continue doing what you're doing, you can get it all back and some. I hate seeing other business people with crappy equipment. But at the same time it's funny to watch them fail.

See a lot of that in photography...thing is with the right advertising/target clientele some of these "photographers" with subpar gear actually make it....I'm starting to realize now photography is now more about the way you sell yourself and who you target, your skill/work doesn't hold as much weight as that.. :/
 
Quit my job earlier this month, and I can safely say it was the best decision I've ever made.

I'm currently working on a few projects, one solo and one with a partner. While these ramp up I bid on some freelance projects that pay more than enough to sustain my cheap lifestyle.
 
Planning to open a business in 2014, wont get in the way of the "9-5", so plan to keep both. Looking forward to making it happen.
 
I have a mobile dj business, does that count?

It started out as a hobby. Then people got to dj backyard yard parties, then quickly escalated to spinning at clubs. Business got slow because of computer djs so I focused on being a HALL dj (weddings, Quinces, anniversary etc).

I still do backyard parties and clubs but my main focus are Weddings. Thats where the money is. Its a lot more work than club or back yard party but its well worth it.

growing up my father was a corporate man for 19 years with IBM, he did the exact same you did on the side as hobby/passion

i always helped him with wedding he threw me 20 bucks to help load up and set up an i loved getting the great food from the parties/weddings..................that was years ago an my pops would make a few hundred dollars easy.
 
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