Forget employers, don't let them take charge of your life, start a business posted 2/17/2009 11:11:54 AM | 3 kudos what's this?     report abuse

luneib

We all have to try to stop thinking about the economy, it stops letting us focus on the positive things we have in our lives and if we can't focus on those if we are looking at the negatives, how bad things are, how we can't better ourselves, we can't get out of our situations hearing about how bad the economy is on the TV news either. No one is offering solutions that is part of the problem. We have to figure out solutions on our own, that's where the focusing part comes in. There are so many things we can do if we are hurting right now because of the economy. If you are about to lose your home, you can do a "Short Sale", if you need food, there are food pantries. If you have no money in the bank but have some unemployment coming in, you can apply for food stamps to get by. If you have family, you can ask to stay with them 'til you get on your feet. Even a good friend may take you in 'til you are on your feet again, it's not as hopeless as you may think. I know, if you are anything like me, I am the Independent type, I don't like to rely on other people, but sometimes we have to just say, this is the way it is, and do what we have to, don't let pride get in the way.

You can start a business like we are doing. I won't let employers do what they did to me, play with my life again. I've had this happen when employers wanted to make more profits, they would tell me my work was good, then I'd get layed off along with others, they wanted those profits. It hurts the soul, the heart, I'm not going to take it anymore. I will be my own boss.

If any of you are wondering, starting a business is not as difficult as it seems, you just have to take one step at a time, baby steps. You can buy books on how to start whatever it is you want to start, that is how we did it. Amazon is a great place to start, you can get used books online in great condition. I had to register our business name with the State of CT, I also have to file a trade name certificate with my town, get insured, phone the IRS to get forms to pay taxes quarterly, and if you are not a math wiz, you can buy software to plug the numbers into to figure out the taxes you have to pay, or....enlist an Accountant to do it for you. Also open up a business account at the bank and have separate business checks. Keeping separate business accounts will benefit you when it comes to getting audited, because, it does happen. It happened to me when I was married and we definitely did not expect it. In our case, we have to print off bid sheets, ours is a commercial cleaning business, also print off contracts, write a business plan, the Small Business Administration online can help you do that. There is an organization called SCORE, these are retired business men who I think will help you for free start your business, give you advice. Don't get overwhelmed by it all, it's not that difficult.

I told my bf I also want to clean foreclosed homes, for this we definitely need to be insured. You contact realtors and here again you need those bid sheets, yes, they take the best bid. You can make good money doing this, but be aware, the work is hard, this means cleaning every nook and cranny of everything in the house, garage, and you will find furniture, clothes, toys you name it left behind by the former owners, be prepared to get rid of all of that. Also, you will have to add the cost of those cleaning supplies into your bid to be sure you make a profit. In CT they pay between $1,000-$5,000 to clean a foreclosed home. I don't know anyone who does this, so if we do decide on doing it, we will have to guess pretty much what to charge. I think perhaps we would look at the house first to see how big it is and bid accordingly. That would make the most sense. Just another idea for you guys. I know Arizona has some of the most foreclosed homes, so any of you in that area might consider doing this.

I told a friend yesterday he should start a wedding photography business, there are books on that as well at any bookstore, he is great at photography. He is considering my idea, he needs employment.

For men, car detailing, you can drive to people's homes with all your supplies. Just phone your local detailing garages to see what they charge then undercut them a bit. If you live in the Southern States, it could be a year round profession. We of course would have to wait 'til springtime since it's only in the 30s at the moment lol.

As you can see, I've been home awhile, had alot of time to think about how to better ourselves financially, what it takes. It just takes guts to blaze that new trail and you really have to want it for your business to work, to go out and make a living on your own, you need the strength to say YES I CAN, I CAN DO THIS. Everyone has it in them.

I hope this has helped at least one person feel better about their situation and perhaps enough to change their life, take charge and start a business. Some businesses don't take alot of capital to start like the cleaning business just a vacuum, some buckets, cleansers. You don't want to pour alot of money into your new business, because you want to make sure this is the business for you and if it doesn't take off, you don't want to have taken loans out to do it, it's just not worth it. Find something you can manage on the income you have now or the savings you have now. If you have to, sell your car to finance it or things you have around the house, furniture, whatever you have to do to make it work. You can buy a used car, you can get more furniture later. See where I am going with this?

This is a great time for a Startup business, especially if it is offering a service. People are afraid to start anything, they are scared because of the economy, this is the best time to jump in feet first, grab those clients. Sure, you will have to do some marketing, or pound the pavement selling your business.

Vista Print online is great place to get business cards, that's the first thing you will need. They also offer alot of freebies so take advantage of those. I ordered 6 free things the other day and my postage was $10.00 and something for their slowest shipping time which I thought was good considering I am getting items with our company logo on them. Printing costs alot, this place has fair prices.

Have a nice day everyone!

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