Need Inspiration: Saying goodbye to a corporate job

Challynger

Challynger

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I'm tired of my corporate accounting gig, and don't feel like I'm cut out for the corporate world in general. I've heard several stories of people leaving their corporate jobs to pursue their passions (i.e. Larry Kosilla of Ammo leaving his finance job to start his detailing business).

Has anyone on here left corporate america to pursue something more meaningful, or just have some words of wisdom on the subject?
 
Yes, and I love it. I was tired of working a desk job. I had background in auto detailing so my wife and I started a detailing business detailing. We did details on the weekends until we had enough business to quit altogether. It has taken off and we love it. I would rather bust my butt detailing peoples cars then sit at a desk day in, day out. We make more money working less hours and have a flexible schedule. Plus you are more active and healthy. If there is specific info you are looking for, PM me.
 
I used to work for a bank for 3 years. It wasn't for me. So I went back to what I know and was brought up with.

But went back to school.

It's not easy to leave point A to go to point B. Without any cushion in between to help you get there.

But anything is always possible. Per se

Good Luck,

Art
 
I've owned two different businesses in a previous life, and it's very very hard work. Expect to put in 60-80 hours a week. It's not a 9-5 job and there are no benefits like healthcare or 401k plans unless you provide them.

You will need insurance, an attorney, and lots of patience. I'm now back working short hours with tons of benefits and frankly as much as I loved being my own boss , I have tons of time now to enjoy life and when you get older time is more precious than anything.

I really think if you love something you are half way there, but nothing is going to be handed to you and you must realize the business side is just as important as the fun part.
 
I am just wondering, especially because I had this happen to me.

When woking you buttocks off, if say, it was for an employer. Wouldn't you be tired and just go to sleep. To wake up for the next 9-5.

But when its for yourself. Aren't you even more tired and wanting more sleep. Especially because you were putting in more effort.

But

At the end of the day, don't you feel better. Because it's for your own business. So it'll mean more to you personally?

(Just how I have felt running my own business)

Could be wrong :dunno:

Art

:)
 
Not for me, I would rather bust my buttocks and reap all the rewards than work my butt for someone else only to reap some of the rewards and let them reap some. That's just me. Plus, now the only person I have telling me what to do is my real boss, the Mrs. And that comes with benefits. :dblthumb2: Happy Happy Happy!
 
I think it's a matter of personality. Some people like the fact that they can just go to work for x amount of time each day/week and get an agreed upon amount of money without having to worry about sales figures and all the crap that comes with running a business.

Some people prefer to be in control of what happens and are driven to work for themselves with the chance to improve, sometimes dramatically, the income they can generate if they put the effort in it. Also not having anyone to tell you what to do can be a great thing even though most entrepreneurs are much harder on themselves than any boss can ever be LOL

I fall in the second group. I just hate having a boss. Sometimes it works out great and you end up working for someone you like and all but I still don't have any flexibility and I know I am making a lot less than I could be making on my own. The other thing is that a job is a very repetitive thing and can become really boring really fast. When you work for yourself you can decide to try other things, delegate what you won't want to do, you have flexibility that you would never have as an employee.

So I think it really depends who you are. Some people could not stand the pressure of running a business and the hectic things that could come with it. Others like me find having a job too boring. To each his own ;)
 
Almost forgot what I wanted to say LOL

Why don't you start a business on the side? Try it and see if you like it. If you do, you can gradually switch from your career to your business as you build clients.
 
Challynger said:
I'm tired of my corporate accounting gig, and don't feel like I'm cut out for the corporate world in general. I've heard several stories of people leaving their corporate jobs to pursue their passions (i.e. Larry Kosilla of Ammo leaving his finance job to start his detailing business).

Has anyone on here left corporate america to pursue something more meaningful, or just have some words of wisdom on the subject?
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There are a number of factors to consider but the bottom line is enjoying whatever you are doing. Some Qs; Are you married, have kids, large overhead expenses, have savings to fall back on, experience with marketing& sales, communication skills, good health, natural market etc.

Being self employed has it's challenges your work isn't done after 8 hours of labor. That said there are many rewards working your own business.
 
At the end of the day you have to do what makes you happy. I for one enjoy my job. I'm a NYC union carpenter, between the pay and the benefit package you cant beat it. Plus, there's now corporate BS, if there's a problem guys will settle it right their. I have health, vacation, annuity and retirement that I don't pay a dime for. So anytime I think about doing anything else, I think about what I already have. For me I want to make sure I have a pension for when I'm old. Good luck with you're decisions.
 
don't forget that working for yourself isn't just following a passion, but you have to run a business. know economics, know marketing, know accountancy, know what you want in the future, expanding your business in services, employees, locations... people tend to forget that. don't just be a detailer, but an entrepeneur
 
I worked in real estate for years. Our clients were banks. I hated dealing with them and I hated dealing with my chain smoking stressed out boss who yelled all the time. The work was unsatisfying and after awhile routine. I finally couldn't take it anymore. It was affecting my quality of life. I could just tell I was down after work and didn't look forward to going in the mornings. I left and started working in a detail shop for significantly less money but I was much happy doing something I enjoyed. The days went by faster, everyday was different and I was feeling healthier doing physical work.

This was me a few years ago: :work:

This is me today: :buffing:
 
Best thing I ever did was start my detailing business. With that said I'm very fortunate that my wife makes a lot of money so I could follow my dream. After 2 years of being full time everything is great and would never go back to a normal job. I do a lot of cars from people at my old job and I am so happy I do not have to go there everyday to work.
 
rmagnus said:
There are a number of factors to consider but the bottom line is enjoying whatever you are doing. Some Qs; Are you married, have kids, large overhead expenses, have savings to fall back on, experience with marketing& sales, communication skills, good health, natural market etc.

Being self employed has it's challenges your work isn't done after 8 hours of labor. That said there are many rewards working your own business.
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I'm 28 and single. No added security of a wife with income/benefits. I have a house/mortgage. I would probably sell the house if I started a business for extra startup money and to lower my cost of living. I have some savings, but would probably also need that for startup money. I have experience in accounting and seeing how a business is run, as well as experience working summers at my dad's repair shop in my younger days.

My idea was not of a detailing business, but a used car dealership. Finding cars at wholesale/auction that need some TLC, adding TLC, and turning a profit (in theory) (detailing included in "TLC"). I've always been financially stable at the 2 accounting jobs I've had, but I've NEVER been happy with it, and don't feel like I ever could be, which I've come to realize is a BIG problem...
 
Challynger said:
I'm 28 and single. No added security of a wife with income/benefits. I have a house/mortgage. I would probably sell the house if I started a business for extra startup money and to lower my cost of living. I have some savings, but would probably also need that for startup money. I have experience in accounting and seeing how a business is run, as well as experience working summers at my dad's repair shop in my younger days.

My idea was not of a detailing business, but a used car dealership. Finding cars at wholesale/auction that need some TLC, adding TLC, and turning a profit (in theory) (detailing included in "TLC"). I've always been financially stable at the 2 accounting jobs I've had, but I've NEVER been happy with it, and don't feel like I ever could be, which I've come to realize is a BIG problem...
Click to expand...

Very cool hope it works out for you. If you don't try you'll never know what will happen and you can always go back to accounting. I have my neighbor who flips cars he does quit well doing and gives me business :)
 
Challynger said:
I'm 28 and single. No added security of a wife with income/benefits. I have a house/mortgage. I would probably sell the house if I started a business for extra startup money and to lower my cost of living. I have some savings, but would probably also need that for startup money. I have experience in accounting and seeing how a business is run, as well as experience working summers at my dad's repair shop in my younger days.

My idea was not of a detailing business, but a used car dealership. Finding cars at wholesale/auction that need some TLC, adding TLC, and turning a profit (in theory) (detailing included in "TLC"). I've always been financially stable at the 2 accounting jobs I've had, but I've NEVER been happy with it, and don't feel like I ever could be, which I've come to realize is a BIG problem...
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I work for a big corporate automall, and I started the job with hops of learning the business so I could the very same thing. My detailing business is barley in infancy at this point but I already see it aspiring to a used car dealership in the future. What we as detailers do is add value to vehicles so it's only natural.
 
Challynger said:
I'm 28 and single. No added security of a wife with income/benefits. I have a house/mortgage. I would probably sell the house if I started a business for extra startup money and to lower my cost of living. I have some savings, but would probably also need that for startup money. I have experience in accounting and seeing how a business is run, as well as experience working summers at my dad's repair shop in my younger days.

My idea was not of a detailing business, but a used car dealership. Finding cars at wholesale/auction that need some TLC, adding TLC, and turning a profit (in theory) (detailing included in "TLC"). I've always been financially stable at the 2 accounting jobs I've had, but I've NEVER been happy with it, and don't feel like I ever could be, which I've come to realize is a BIG problem...
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I'd say if you are willing to do the work in preparing for that type of transition,
it is possible to make the switch from being an employee to being a successful entrepreneur.

But...So many "ducks to get in a row" before walking away from an employer.
Where should I start...(Way too many to list here.)
-Do you have 12 months salary saved up;
-Do you have to use your Home as equity for your Business;
-Will you...Man!!! I hate to stop here...but I'm going to...except to say:
Just avoid burning bridges


However...
As was mentioned: The trades pay very well;
and: Apprenticeships pay you a salary to learn on the job.

Also:
Cruise ships need "pursers"...and you get to live on a cool boat!!

:)

Bob
 
I fall into this similar group that many of you seem to be. I was mentally disgusted with dealing with a boss. One who was never there to see the long hours I put in for our customers and the company. After x-amount of years I had the nerves to approach them and say that I wanted a shot at full time emoloyment, and the opportunity for advancement. They declined and gave the position to another employee who would sit in the office for his 8 hour shift and watch DVD's, only to take smoke breaks every 15 mins!!!

Your own business can be incredibly stressful at times, especially starting out. If I could go back I would have found at least a part time source of income to ease the transition. I had many nights worrying about where to find the next dollar. A year and some odd months later things are looking up and reputation is building.

Bottom line, if you feel it in your heart that you need the change? Do it. You'll never know otherwise! Best of luck!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using AG Online
 
I could not imagine having to try and earn a living off of auto detailing. It seems to only produce a certain amount of dollars per hour. I love it as a business on the side but never a sole source of income.
 
Russell Detail said:
They declined and gave the position to another employee who would sit in the office for his 8 hour shift and watch DVD's, only to take smoke breaks every 15 mins!!!



Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using AG Online
Click to expand...


I had management SEEK ME OUT for advancement, and actually create a totally new title/ opportunity that didn't exist prior. I changed my school/career goals to fit more in line with there schedule only for the "higher ups" to come in and make changes to fit in someone new because his father was friends with the director of operations. Zero experience, zero skills, no knowledge of a single law pertaining to HR, business, contract law, or OSHA regulation. His first job out of a private college, failed in another department so they put him in charge of mine. Needless to say he's failing miserably and people are starting to notice.
 
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