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I own my own business, which is kinda the same thing as working for yourself. Two bits of advice: 1. The first check you don't write is usually the one to you

I own my own business, which is kinda the same thing as working for yourself. Two bits of advice: 1. The first check you don't write is usually the one to yourself. You're the only worker that will show up for free. 2. The problem with being your own boss is that your boss is always around. I've never known stress and uncertainty like being a business owner. But I feel like I've learned a lot and am better for it. And if I ever work for anyone else again, I'll be a much better employee as a result.

justherefortart 9y ago
Why wouldn't your first check be to yourself? I guess I'm well rounded so that doesn't really apply to me. I hire for roles that consume my time but still provide value (the necessary busy work). I'm a much worse employee as the proud failure of 7 startups (on #8 at the moment). So much bullshit, waste, politics, needless meetings, etc., that working for a company again is one of the most painful things I've ever had to do besides death of a family member or divorcing my first wife (that was #1 BTW). I will agree with your #2, work life balance can be hard. But if you find yourself not wanting to work on a Wednesday, you can just not work that day. If you're particularly inspired on a Saturday, you can go all in. My biggest issue was around this (startup #3, first fully self funded). I felt if I was not working every waking moment, I was failing. I learned my way out of that one eventually. Discipline is the key in working for yourself. I'm lucky that my parents were both entrepreneurs. I saw them fail and succeed (and fail and succeed again...).
- scaryspooky 9y ago
  Your employees will rarely show up if they don't get paid and if they do they won't stick around for long. If you run a business and face a cash flow dilemma the easiest thing to not pay is yourself.
  - justherefortart 9y ago
    Or you can actually provide a service/product people will pay for. It's like this is confusing for you. Why would you ever hire employees when you can't pay them? I love the internet sometimes.

justherefortart 9y ago

Why wouldn't your first check be to yourself? I guess I'm well rounded so that doesn't really apply to me. I hire for roles that consume my time but still provide value (the necessary busy work). I'm a much worse employee as the proud failure of 7 startups (on #8 at the moment). So much bullshit, waste, politics, needless meetings, etc., that working for a company again is one of the most painful things I've ever had to do besides death of a family member or divorcing my first wife (that was #1 BTW). I will agree with your #2, work life balance can be hard. But if you find yourself not wanting to work on a Wednesday, you can just not work that day. If you're particularly inspired on a Saturday, you can go all in. My biggest issue was around this (startup #3, first fully self funded). I felt if I was not working every waking moment, I was failing. I learned my way out of that one eventually. Discipline is the key in working for yourself. I'm lucky that my parents were both entrepreneurs. I saw them fail and succeed (and fail and succeed again...).

scaryspooky 9y ago
Your employees will rarely show up if they don't get paid and if they do they won't stick around for long. If you run a business and face a cash flow dilemma the easiest thing to not pay is yourself.
- justherefortart 9y ago
  Or you can actually provide a service/product people will pay for. It's like this is confusing for you. Why would you ever hire employees when you can't pay them? I love the internet sometimes.