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The Life of Being Self Employed

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic (by 0 people)   Your rating: 1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic

Ranked #11069 in Business, #114882 overall

Rated G. (Control what you see)

The Life of being Self Employed

 

We have been self employed since 1983 and this is a life that has suited us very well. Hmmmm, maybe we just don't like being told what to do? LOL Seriously, the key to sucess, besides offering good quality products and excellent service is:
- Planning and Research
- Strong Management and Marketing
- Great Organizational and Communication Skills
- Commitment

In the words of a friend of mine...... "Know what you sell and sell what you know!"

Brief History - Starting out Mail Order 

Our first business (1983) was actually mail order only (ahem, this is what online shopping used to be, shopping was done by mail instead of by computer). We operated out of a spare room and stocked no inventory. As customers ordered products from our ads in newspapers or magazines and eventually from our catalogue, we then turned around and ordered product from our suppliers. We had excellent suppliers (no, not drop shippers) who would have our product to us in 1-2 days.

......and back then I was a blonde LOL

June 1, 1983

Brief History - Retail Stores 

After nine successful months of mail order and a great customer base, we decided to open a retail store. Again, we wanted to start small and our first store was only 9' x 9'. We outgrew this little store within a few months.

We had several retail stores over the next nine years, each store becoming larger and our business becoming more established and successful.

We actually really enjoyed setting up our new stores, from laying out a floor plan to making awesome displays.

Our last store we actually built into a large shed on the farm we lived on. It was great to just walk out the front door, cross the parking area with coffee cup in hand, and go to "work".

We retired in 1992, and moved up here to Spanish. Retirement was fun for the first year and then we both got bored! LOL

The internet peaked our interest and A Well Dressed Bullet was born!

We've never looked back.

Build up interesting customer base 

This next picture brings back a really funny memory. A customer of ours was a curator for a military museum and dropped by one afternoon with a 20mm Bofors anti-aircraft gun.

Of course, as our customers dropped by and saw this outside our shop, they ALL said "Rick finally and went out and bought himself a tank".

No, wait, that's the next picture LOL

Rick's new toy?

Advertising Opportunities 

Then one day a military transport with a Leopard Tank on it stopped in our small town right across from our shop.

Rick ran out like a crazy man, tearing down our store sign on his way, screaming grab the camera.

Rick never misses a perfect advertising opportunity.

As they left, Rick said to them "Tanks for the Memories"

Kathy and her new Tank?

Business Vehicles 

It is imperative that we had a vehicle for business purposes. And it was much easier to keep our auto expenses separate by having two vehicles; one for business and one for pleasure.

We had this 1967 Honda Civic, it used to be gold.

Of course, Rick being Rick, he decided to take our business vehicle one step further and include a great way for people to remember us..... it worked! LOL

Novel Business Vehicle

Advantages to Self Employment 

There are many advantages to being self employed, here are just a few.

Be sure to add yours to the list below, I really would like to know what you think!

* no links please!

Having control of your own destiny

1 point

Personal satisfaction of running a successful business

1 point

Most love what they do, so enjoy their "jobs"

0 points

Being your own boss

0 points

More daily flexibility, setting your own schedule and hours

0 points

Great for those who hate 9-5

0 points

Disadvantages to Self Employment 

Yes, there are disadvantages too. I listed a few to start with, but also included simple solutions too.

Be sure to add yours to the list below, I really would like to know what you think!

* no links please

If your business fails, you have no one to blame but yourself, your are financially responsible for any mistakes made.

A good business plan, responsible financial manage more...1 point

You don't get typical days off; most work on weekends and holidays.

We also have a choice of which days we work or don more...1 point

Your friends think you don't have a real job.

* sigh *1 point

Long Hours

although this doesn't apply to some, many people w more...0 points

You don't have employee benefits to fall back on (Employment Insurance Benefits)

a simple solution is to put extra money aside each more...0 points

In Progress 

....... more to come

This is a work in progress

I'll be adding to this as soon as I can

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Visitor Feedback 

What do you think of being in business for yourself? Good points, bad points or just tell us why you love being in business for yourself.

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