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Started my own business

Philip.in.Kyle
Posts: 63
 Joined: 2010-05-16
 Dad Points: 99

I've been a full time stay at home dad since early in 2007 and have been loving every minute of it.

Then in October of 2008, I took a hobby of mine and posted on a niche website to see if anyone wanted help with a hobby that we all shared.  Lots of people were eager to take me up on the offer and I made a few bucks, enough to buy some Christmas gifts.  So in 2009, I launched my own business and in the first year, I brought in a net profit of around $3K not much by any standards, but it helps pay for my starbucks, and alot of other frivilous little things along the way.  This year is already looking at bringing in around $5K.  I'm very excited about where things are going with all of this for me.

But one thing continues to irk the heck out of me.  It seems every time I turn around someone (wife, parents, in-laws, neighbors, etc) are always asking me if I'm going back to the workforce when our youngest starts kindergarten in 2 years.  Don't get me wrong, I'm fully capable of working, but am trying to work some deals so that MY business can grow.  They almost make me feel bad for chasing a dream and finally making a profit by doing something I love.

Is there a good way to broach the subject of wanting to keep the business going on a bigger scale as time progresses?


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Submitted by Philip.in.Kyle on Sun, 05/16/2010 - 7:14am.

TopDog
Posts: 176
 Joined: 2010-02-11
 Dad Points: 188
Thank them for Asking

When they ask about you going back to work, just thank them for being interested and leave it at that.  If they go further just dismiss it.  Besides you have a business. Don't spend much energy of your own responding to their criticisms as it's a waste of energy.  If the business goes bigger figure out a way to deal with it and continue the life you have.


Sun, 05/16/2010 - 9:22am

OceanDweller
Posts: 37
 Joined: 2009-01-21
 Dad Points: 41
I am a SAHD in Texas with a

I am a SAHD in Texas with a 3 and 1 year old and know where your coming form.  I want to start my own landscaping buisness when the kids get older and know a self run buisness takes a lot of planning to do it correctly, I think its the primary reason so many fail.  I have brought it up to friends and family to gaudge their thoughts and I have gotten a lot of criticism.  I went to school for a professional career, but I love working outdoors and not in front of a computer like my wife.  When I kind of say it they act like its being the local garbadge man, though there is nothing wrong with that job.  I just want something where I can make my own hours, still get the laundry/dishes done "don't see how my wife would get it done when I go back though she is great", and have time to run the kids to school/pick em up/doctors etc...

 

Don't feel bad I am in the same boat if you need someone to talk to let me know.

Brad

bradedward29@Hotmail.com


Wed, 05/19/2010 - 4:19pm

LCSnow
Posts: 2
 Joined: 2010-09-05
 Dad Points: 3
Just wondering

Whats you business?


Sun, 09/05/2010 - 11:50pm

Philip.in.Kyle
Posts: 63
 Joined: 2010-05-16
 Dad Points: 99
lights !

I do the computer sequencing side of things for people who put on computerized musical Christmas light shows.

profits this year are expected to be up about 50% so growth has been good so far, and I've really started to make a name for myself among the people who enjoy this sort of stuff.  There's alot of people who enjoy the decorating side but don't have an ear for music or the time to get this part of it done.  (one 3 minute song typically takes 4-5 hours of work)

 

back on the original topic, my 3 year old started part time pre-school which gives me alot more time to work, but now I get asked even more when I'm going back to work - it's usually just family though, which makes it difficult


Tue, 09/07/2010 - 2:37am

reactor69
Posts: 19
 Joined: 2011-06-23
 Dad Points: 61
P.I.K.I started a successful

P.I.K.
I started a successful business in 2005.  We are now at about a quarter million in sales.  I started with a loss in sales the first year, but we have grown about 30-40% each year!  The best advice that I can give you is stick with it and advertise professionally.  Don't just put up signs, spend the money and get yourself a good marketing program.  You'd be surprised how much that will make your business grow.  Worked for me.  FYI... This year, we expect the same growth and next year, we "hope" to hit 1/2 million in sales.  All of this while being a SAHD.

Tell others just how good your business is growing.  Granted you are small right now, but your marketing will hopefully land you some big projects and start the dough rolling in.

Good luck!


Thu, 06/23/2011 - 4:06pm

Rad
Posts: 7
 Joined: 2011-06-20
 Dad Points: 7
It will never work!

I've been at it for just over 2 years. Not easy getting work done, cleaning the house, making food and dropping my wife at work. We have our second on the way and number one is going to day care twice a week now and I can finish most of my work over the two days.

If they had their way, i would have been working for a company that is in financial difficulty now or be in a earthquake city. I'm no big flyer, but my little home business bought our appliances, repaired our damaged wall,  keeps the car running, some small holidays and is making a good ding on our house mortgage.

I had now capital when i started, so i had to do a lot of donkey work. What really gets me is you get a S$$t remarks from the family like: It will never work!, why has it not worked yet, you have not paid that much of the mortgage? or You can get a job when the kids go to school!

I'm happy with what I've done so far, and can't waist more energy on those idiotic remarks.

$5k with no real overheads are good, I'm sure you will have the last laugh!

 

 

 

 


Fri, 06/24/2011 - 3:30am

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