Left it too late to start your own business ...

[scott_e]

Nice post there My Hay, inspirational.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/article/ ... n-business
Talented individuals are what count, I find myself lucky to be working with many. Creates a great learning environment that ups standards for everyone.

All the best in your endeavours.
Scott

[Dominic]

Great article Dave. A lot of it rings true.

From time to time I have conversations with my clients on the subject. The majority are happiest running their own business. For many it can be more difficult to make that leap of faith as you get older. You become more comfortable in your job, have greater responsibilities, and with age, IMHO people become more risk adverse.

I had left one job, to move to another, only to go back six months later - not quite sure if that's golden handcuffs or a golden bungee rope - but did hinder my progress in making the step into self employment.

[pete]

THIRTY TWO is not old.

Start-up is ace, was recommending it to Campbell and Woody last week.

[Rag_It]

I saw this title and thought, that sounds familiar!

Ha Ha - thanks for that Scott... Inspirational - I'd think not really, but thanks!

Two reasons for the post, one it's obviously a bit of PR for allthings, albeit relatively subtle... but genuinely I think the golden handcuffs do stop a lot of people following their dream.

I know 32 is not old, if you read the comments i get pulled up on that quite a few times, not to mention the only thing my wife actually had to add to this was 'Why would you lie about your age?!' I pointed out that I hadn't and actually i was 32 when we started allthings... as 34 approaches next month!

Appreciate the likes and comments though, get it that little bit more exposure. Blog writing I've found to be great fun and next going to shortly jump into podcasting, as I'm hooked!

Dave

[BigD]

... as 34 approaches next month!

[mckeann]

i think i must be the only person on SE who isnt on linkedin. Even tut appears to be on it

[tut]

By mistake the other day Neil, pointless for me, but went to give a recommendation to the Company that did Clare's wedding Marquee, and next thing I know is that I get about 100 e-mails requesting that they be added to my LinkedIn.

Presume it must have sent it to nearly everybody in my Contacts or friends on FB. Felt embarrassed but seems that is the way the system works. I am literate in IT after all these years, but not really interested in Social Media, never touched Twitter, quite happy with e-mails and the Forum.

tut

[robin]

As someone who has been there, done that, I can say it is both rewarding and stressful in equal measure. Financially it can be lucrative, or it might just be a living. Focus on making a viable business first and foremost - that puts you in the strongest position in the event you decide to sell/somebody else is interested. This is quite hard to do in reality.

One rule I learnt early on from somebody I respect immensely - NEVER put your house up as collateral for the bank! Beg, borrow and steal, but don't put up the house. All of the start ups I have been involved in have boot strapped to some extent and you have to be prepared to do what we call "sh*t for money", but this is better than putting up the house.

The other thing to think about is domestic life - I cannot overstate how much Katie supported our family during the toughest phases of the various businesses I have been involved in - working long days & nights, travelling, etc., take a toll on the family and you need to be sure it's not going to put excessive stress on your relationship.

I've loved most of it, hated some of it, made many mistakes, got away with most of them and hope to continue in the same vein until I am forced to retire

Cheers,
Robin

[Dominic]

i think i must be the only person on SE who isnt on linkedin. Even tut appears to be on it

I'm not on it - found it useless and the non stop emails from it a total PITA.

[campbell]

Interestingly, LinkedIn played a considerable role in the launch of my business. Continues to have value though not reliant upon it. Email pings can be configured down to next to nothing - I've done this.

I'll echo what Robin says about support from your significant other.

All in all, there feels like nothing better than taking control of your own destiny. Even the knocks seem easier to take...yet I'm the last person I thought would take the plunge.

[Jamie_84]

Good article, Ive gone from running around doing "homers', to employing 8 men and running 4 ( soon to be 5 ) vans on the road, all in relatively short space of time, 2 years.

Business growing rapidly, at times very very stressful, such as today but wouldn't change it for the world.

[BiggestNizzy]

Linkedin got me a couple of job offers which allowed me to negotiate a mahoosive pay rise.

[istoo]

good article also! Another one here, I took the leap through the Scottish Enterprise circuit and started my own business when I was 29. Borrowed 5k off my parents after being made redundant living in a one bed flat with a child and another on the way was my motivation... paid back my parents in 3 months, have staff and an established business which almost runs itself. Not looked back, growth is painful, you refined your friends, its funny what money really does to some people. Had some magic highs and some very deep lows, would i change it. not on your nelly!

i will say on the words of wisdom, making the initial step is the hardest bit, leaving what you think is a secure job. define secure?! Rewarding, oh god yes. If you suffer my problem of wondering what if... then you really have to do this!