Start my Own Business

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Own Business

Related Goals: Start Boxing, Start a family, own my own island,


	Setup and run my own company
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How I did it How to Start my Own Business by Branson

It took me: 1 Years

I felt: Happy

"The best decision I have made"

How I did it

When I finished Uni, I got a place on a graduate scheme and managed to hold it down for all of 6 months - working for a big corporation just isn't me. I am a graphic designer, and I had my own computer and a lot of the software I needed, so I decided to go it alone.
It was not an easy decision, as I would be giving up on some initial income, certainty of future etc, but in the end it was the only things I wanted to do. I was lucky enough to have the support of my parents who I lived with during the set up stage, which really helped out in terms of cost. I managed to pick up a couple of small clients through my exisitng contacts, and although the work was small it helped me get started and build some momentum. I started going to networking events and approached people directly with my services. It wasn't long before I had done a few good jobs, and due to recommendations I had a good stream of business.
It has been 3 years now and I now employ 2 other graphic designers. I have to say, it was the best decision of my life.

When I finished Uni, I got a place on a graduate scheme and managed to hold it down for all of 6 months - working for a big corporation just isn't me. I am a graphic designer, and I had my own computer and a lot of the software I needed, so I decided to go it alone. It was not an easy decision, as I would be giving up on some initial income, certainty of future etc, but in the end it was the only things I wanted to do. I was lucky enough to have the support of my parents who I lived with during the set up stage, which really helped out in terms of cost. I managed to pick up a couple of small clients through my exisitng contacts, and although the work was small it helped me get started and build some momentum. I started going to networking events and approached people directly with my services. It wasn't long before I had done a few good jobs, and due to recommendations I had a good stream of business. It has been 3 years now and I now employ 2 other graphic designers. I have to say, it was the best decision of my life.

Tips & Advice At first you will have to be prepared to have less money - unless you have a full client base who you can start working for immediately. Even then, you will have to account for the slow payment of invoices which will directly impact when you get paid. Be prepared to work hard - this is the absolute essential when setting up a business. If you want it to be successful, you will have to put in the work. Believe in yourself. This is key. There will be times when you feel like you made the wrong choice, that it will not work, and you have to believe in yourself and your concept enough to get through this. Good luck

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How I did it How to Start my Own Business by Lizzy1

It took me: 1 Years

I felt: Happy

"Worth all the effort!"

How I did it

I had thought about setting up my own business for a while, but had been deterred initally by the lack of money in the initial stages of set up. When I first set up my business, I spent a full year working at a full times job, and spending almost all my leisure hours setting up my business. It was a tough year as I seemed to have no time for anything else, but is massively worth it as I now have a business which generates 90% of my income. When I gave up my full time job (most scarey and exciting moment of my life!), I took out a small loan and used my savings to help me get started. I am really pleased I have done it, but it was not all plain sailing. I worked extremely hard to get it going, which can feel like a big sacrafice at times. Right now, I think it was worth it all, really happy I have done this.

Tips & Advice Initial start up money is important. Make sure you have enough money saved to get through the slow periods. I would recommend that you have a minimum of 6 months of your expenses saved up. This will help you through your early stages before money comes flowing in. There are always expenses coming in, so just be prepared. I needed double the amount of money than I had originally anticipated. Consider working part time at first, or starting your business in your spare time (if possible) - this could really help smooth the transition.

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A billion paths to success

On March 2nd, 2011 Razaberry says:

Two businesses in the run so far (Tutoring and computerspeedup.org)...lets see where this goes

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I've started it!

On December 28th, 2010 Mike says:

Now I just need to make it a success!

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Mike

completed the goal Start my Own Business

Need to make a bit more money

On March 26th, 2010 Helen says:

I would really like to make a lot of money to set me up for the future, but I don't really see myself doing this in my current career. If I think about all the people I know of who have been financially successful, they have all generated at least a part of their money from ventures they have set up by themselves. I want to start my own business and have it up and running by the end of the year.
I need to get the idea yet, but I will make it in an area I am passionate about - that way it will be easier to dedicate the extra hours to it (I will still keep my job at the initial stages).

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Need to dedicate more time to this.....

On March 26th, 2010 Steve123 says:

Doing pretty well at this so far - but it takes longer than I would like while still working full time. I am really going to have to dedicate at least a couple of hours a day to doing this if I want to get it up and running any time soon....

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Income from my passion?

On March 26th, 2010 Steve123 says:

All of my life, I have been passionate about reading about self development.
I have decided that I would love to turn my passion into an income, and am going to set up my own web based business focused on self development books, with specific discussions and forums etc.
As a first step, I have started building the web platform (with the help of a programmer) and have started making a list of books I want to sell and promote. I plan to work on this in addition to my full time job, and aim to be generating an income by the end of the year!

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How I did it How to Start my Own Business by Lizzy1

It took me: 1 Years

I felt: Happy

"Worth all the effort!"

How I did it I had thought about setting up my own business for a w... Read More

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How I did it How to Start my Own Business by Branson

It took me: 1 Years

I felt: Happy

"The best decision I have made"

How I did it When I finished Uni, I got a place on a graduate schem... Read More

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