Have you ever seriously considered leaving work and never coming back?

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I started a house cleaning business. I liked it because I had clients, not bosses. I also like the fact that, if I lost one client, I wasn't losing my job. I always had enough to carry me, financially until I could fill the time slot.

Dec. 20/16
7:59 am

juiceyangel333 · 31-35, F

And you had time for the kids too

Serenitree · F

@juiceyangel333: sure. By the time I started my own business I was 34. I only had one young child. The oldest were in high school. But even before I started my own, I worked. I worked in offices and retail and even some factory work at times. Hated all of it. Until I became my own boss. Then I discovered that I liked working. I guess it's bosses I dislike, not work. My dad had his own business. I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

Dec. 20/16
8:06 am.

juiceyangel333 · 31-35, F

@Serenitree: I hate bosses too ... I wanna start my own thing badly

Serenitree · F

@juiceyangel333: well, first, you have to decide what marketable skill you have. Then you need to research to see if there's a reasonable client base for that skill. Then, if there is, you make sure you have the resources to carry you until you start making a profit. It can take a while but it's so worth the effort.

Dec 20/16
8:14 am

juiceyangel333 · 31-35, F

@Serenitree: how long did it take you to start making a profit ?

Serenitree · F

@juiceyangel333: maybe a year. My overhead was low. I had no office. No designated business phone. No vehicle. I used public transit and my home phone to do business. At first I was making just about enough to live off. But when my clients started telling their friends and family how well I did the job, I soon had to take on an employee. I kept the business very small. Never became an agency. Just me, one employee, and private clients. I never kept a client I couldn't get along with. I'd quit and find another to fill the time slot. I didn't get rich, but at no time, after I started working for myself, was I ever unemployed and I never got headaches as I did when working for others. I did that for thirty five years. Retired 3 1/2 years ago.

Dec. 20/16
8:37 am

juiceyangel333 · 31-35, F

@Serenitree: and you still have money to live off now ?

Serenitree · F

@juiceyangel333: I have two pensions. Still not wealthy, but not starving. I have a roof over my head, cats to love and a large family that I dote on. Money isn't rolling in by the truck load, but I have plenty for my modest wants and needs.

Dec. 20/16
10:29 am