How Many Here Have Started Their Own Business? Yes, Even Kidstuff Counts

[KittyWampus]

I had a landscape/gardening business for a while.

Also made fresh evergreen wreathes to sell on the side of the road around Christmas.

What businesses have you all started?

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. Hubby started a PC fix-it shop, and I do free-lance editing

[KittyWampus]

3. Handymen & Repairmen Of Any Stripe Are Always Necessary

[xmas74]

2. I want to start a housekeeping business

but don't know where to begin.
I have also thought about picking up transcription in my home but still don't know where to begin.

[sweetladybug]

6. Yes, my husband and I owned an industrial scale company.

We closed it down 4yrs ago after my husband was injuried in a very serious accident and was not able to work and keep the business running. He was burnt over 50% of his body and almost lost his life(he had a cutting torch to explode while using it) He's doing great now and we might start up another business. It's alot better working for yourself than to work and make the money for someone else.

[xmas74]

8. That's what I think.

I notice that housekeepers who are self-employed around here make three times as much as those who work for someone else. Eventually I wouldn't mind getting into crime scene cleanup.

[KittyWampus]

10. Crime Scene Cleanup... Now That's Not Something I'd Ever Think Of Doing

[xmas74]

15. I dispatch for a department.

We are a combined central dispatch-meaning police, fire and EMS. I have to do so many hours of ride along time every year for each department. Plus, I've done Lifeflight ridealong time too. I have viewed quite a few nasty things. And then my deputies bring me the really gross pics, just in case I missed it the first time.
I have a strong stomach. The money is decent and the service needs to be done. I couldn't imagine a family having to come back home and clean up some of those messes. Might as well be me and I might as well get paid for it.
Plus I would be in business for myself.

[Wapsie B]

21. There are people here who started on of those companies.

I think they're still working as paramedics and firefighters. If you could stomach that go for it.

[xmas74]

25. Most of them are in public safety

or the funeral business when they start a business like that. The hardest part is greasing some palms to get on the call list. You have to be on an approved call list w/ the department if you want them to call you (since most people don't think about making calls like that in a moment of grief). Most call lists are approved either by the chief, the sheriff or the city council. Sometimes you have to grease a few palms (I know that the tow truck companies do just that-make large donations to an election campaign, etc).

[Wapsie B]

28. Of course it does.

Money makes the world go 'round, even on the local leve.

[xmas74]

29. very true.

but you have to have the money to start up in the first place, which I do not.

[Wapsie B]

32. yes that's always the catch.

I know around here there are business development centers at some of the community colleges in the state. There they will help you with a business plan, funding sources, the whole ball of wax. Maybe check into what your state has to offer. Just a suggestion.

[Lars39]

4. Alterations

Got out when I realized the risk of working on $1000 garments with no safety net if I screwed up because someone else measured wrong or the client went prima donna.

[KittyWampus]

11. My Grandma Was A Pro. Seamstress. She Was Just About Done With

a gown when she went to put a pin from her mouth into the dart and realised it was a cigarette too late!

[Lars39]

18. Ouch!

Hope it didn't set her back too much.

[TrogL]

5. I repaired computers

[Fleshdancer]

7. A non-profit business association for Software Architecture

It's my husband's baby, but I help him with it.

[Redstone]

9. Let's see...

Jewelry making / store.

Photography studio.

Country musician (I guess that's a business when you do it for a living).

Woodworking / musical instrument maker, repairer.

Advertising / marketing agency / book designer (still going strong after 13 years).

Redstone

[KittyWampus]

12. Wow! Sounds Like You Have An Abundance Of Creative Energy

[Redstone]

20. Actually, the secret ingredient is ADD. It can be a lot of fun,

because it keeps you looking around for something else that looks like it might be fun.

No coincidence that my longest-running business started about the time I started taking Ritalin; it turns out that a bit of focus isn't such a bad idea after all.

Redstone

[kedrys]

13. Web services consulting

Still at it, perforce. :)

[Lorien]

14. Freelance illustrator

I hire additional artists from time to time.Disney is my biggest client, though I also work with some of the larger children's book publishers, Hard Rock Cafe,Coca-Cola, etc.

[gardenista]

16. Yep. So funny, I was just lamenting about some of the challenges

of owning a small business on another thread...

I also have a landscape/gardening business.

Why did you give up yours?

[KittyWampus]

48. Deer & Increasingly Hot Summers.

[madrchsod]

17. upholstery business for over ten years

during the 80`s.still have all my tools-retirement income. also my wife and i have sold window fashions since 1990 and that too has been put on hold for awhile. the big problem we have is underfunding and health insurance costs. we still sell but not fulltime.

[KittyWampus]

49. My 2 Friends Do Upholstery. Great Business When Times Are Lean

wealthy people who would normally redecorate their whole house from A to Z will settle with just reupholstering. :)

[NMDemDist2]

19. I sell gourmet coffee to corporations for their break rooms

started after 9/11 when I was in the tourism industry.

18 months later hubby got outsourced so my little "job" is supporting the whole household. we both work it and have employees too.

so i'm a "real" small business lol

[nevergiveup]

22. Opened retail store 30 years ago this October........

still going.....it has been a long haul and am beginning to get a little restless.

[barackmyworld]

www.chicpolitique.com

my t-shirt empire

[barackmyworld]

23. dupe

[Missy Vixen]

24. I own a shop that caters to crafters

My husband and I previously owned a website design business.

Julie

[KittyWampus]

50. Be Still My Heart. The Craft Stores On Long Island Are Just Okay

[leftofthedial]

26. an internet music business

and a music promotion community

also been part of several technology start-ups

[ScreamingMeemie]

27. Home appraisals. Actually I'm independent contractor, but I do my

own taxes. I just work under a shelter. :hi:

[KaliTracy]

30. We started a laser engraving business about a yr ago -- (I still

work fulltime, and do the marketing/books/website) -- DH does the engraving. He started it after being laid off.
We're still in beginning stages, though he has had repeat customers, and one fairly consistent account.

http://www.theburningedge.com

[KittyWampus]

51. Great Name "The Burning Edge"! Good Luck.

[KaliTracy]

52. thanks! *smile* n/t

[Blue_In_AK]

31. Self-employed legal transcriptionist here. n/t

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

33. Home-based computer repair geek here.

Just under 2 years as a registered business, and am doing okay. Actually, just this morning I was doing some service for the man that had been my first "official" client.

[rexcat]

34. I am a consultant in the Pharma industry...

I am a one person corporation (sub-chapter S). I have been working for myself since November 1992.

[DrZeeLit]

35. I design and make tote bags and purses...

cannot make a living on it or on my salary as an adjunct English prof.
But... I'm having fun.

(am I allowed to post my website?) (or is it still in my sig line?) (or just on my profile?)

been sewing all day
it's theraputic, too

[Lydia Leftcoast]

36. I have a translation business

I left academia in 1993, started getting free-lance editing jobs, and gradually transitioned into translation. I've been making my living as a translator since late in 1994.

[Scout1071]

37. I sold gum out of my locker in 1984. Until the school made me stop

because it was a little too close to other "dealings."

I made about $35 a day selling damn near every flavor of bubbilicious.

[karlrschneider]

38. I started my own biz in 1979, it still makes me and my SO a living.

It's a somewhat unusual combination of engineering, manufacturing, consulting and electronic consumer services. We aren't rich by any means, but we live comfortably in an ambiance we like.

[Dervill Crow]

39. Medical transcription,

which in fact I should get back to. Thanks for the nudge!

[Debi]

40. I didn't start the business - but I help run it.

My husband is a sole practitioner attorney and I run his office.

[Samurai_Writer]

41. BBW (plus-size) Modeling

Fashion shows, print and web. The extra income is nice. Wish it paid as much as my 'real' job, I would quit corporate America in a heartbeat.

[AngryAmish]

42. Self employed for many years

More time for fishing and golf that way.

[seemunkee]

43. Custom furniture

had my own shop for 7 years.

[thecai]

44. T-Bear Productions

Talent Bureau of Entertainers and Artists for Recreation.

[AllegroRondo]

45. I airbrushed t-shirts at a comic book store

fun, but got boring very quickly.

[AllegroRondo]

46. I airbrushed t-shirts at a comic book store

fun, but got boring very quickly.

[kwassa]

47. Free-lance film production work.

Did camera work, sound, lighting, etc, as a self-employed technician.

Most of the industry free-lances.