Is it everything you thought it would be?

**KKoher** · 01-02-2009 11:17 AM

So, for everyone who is running their own business.....Is it what you thought it would be? Did you think you would be working more, or less hours than you currently are? Did you hope you'd be making more $, or expect to make less than you are? How has your original business plan changed, or shifted to where you currently are? Are you still satisfied with your business, or has it not been all you expected?
Just curious, I know my own personal experience is that I didn't expect to be putting in as many hours as I am, and financially I'm no where near where I thought I would be, especially with this downed economy...But overall I am fairly happy, depending on the day, ofcourse, with where my business is, and where I expect us to go.

**fthom** · 01-02-2009 11:27 AM

Is your business the blackheartinc.net one? If so then I'd first an foremost consider getting a new domain name...that's easier to remember.

Also, look into getting your logo redesigned...

**KKoher** · 01-02-2009 11:34 AM

Originally Posted by fthom

Is your business the blackheartinc.net one? If so then I'd first an foremost consider getting a new domain name...that's easier to remember.

Also, look into getting your logo redesigned...

Well Thank you...aren't you soo kind. Yes...that's my website, but my business is my store, BLACK HEART INC., the website is just a side thing, to promote the store, and for vacationers (we get alot of them), so they can purchase from us after they return home.

**Phranksizzle** · 01-02-2009 11:44 AM

KKoher -- learn to take some advice -- besides... he was just trying to help you out! I understand though, I get it a lot. "Hey you should... or you should this .... or you should that... "

Anyway I am working about the same amount of hours I expected, I have other people do some of my tans for me but lately I am doing most of my tans myself. I am moving to my new location hopefully next month and I would definately want to be making more $. The busy season is coming up , I'm getting a new location and I actually just got featured on Platinum Weddings for my tans. Well the show wasn't about me but the people who are getting married got airbrush tanned by me

I think 2009 is my year.

**RLorenzen** · 01-02-2009 12:28 PM

Originally Posted by fthom

Is your business the blackheartinc.net one? If so then I'd first an foremost consider getting a new domain name...that's easier to remember.

Also, look into getting your logo redesigned...

She never said she needed a new domain or logo. She didn't ask for a review either. Your post has nothing to do with the thread, you're promoting your graphic design business. Think before you post next time and please be relevant.

**RLorenzen** · 01-02-2009 12:30 PM

Originally Posted by Phranksizzle

KKoher -- learn to take some advice -- besides... he was just trying to help you out! I understand though, I get it a lot. "Hey you should... or you should this .... or you should that... "

He wasn't trying to help her out, he was promoting himself. Take a second to read his signature before speaking.

**Vaze** · 01-02-2009 01:30 PM

I would highly doubt that there is anyone here who's business has gone exactly how they planned it out. For me it's been one heck of a roller-coaster ride with a myriad of ups and downs and unexpected issues to deal with - but I wouldn't have it any other way!

The freedom to make your own decisions and cut your own path can't be overestimated in my opinion.

**KKoher** · 01-02-2009 02:30 PM

Originally Posted by Vaze

I would highly doubt that there is anyone here who's business has gone exactly how they planned it out. For me it's been one heck of a roller-coaster ride with a myriad of ups and downs and unexpected issues to deal with - but I wouldn't have it any other way!

The freedom to make your own decisions and cut your own path can't be overestimated in my opinion.

I totally agree...since I opened my store its been quite crazy....def. up, down and all over the place. I mostly started this thread because I find it so funny how kids come on and they have these big plans, and its going to be so easy, and they are going to make so much money, and never have to work 9-5 again....lol. When in reality, its much harder, plans change quite quickly, and 9-5 would be a dream compared to the hours you really work....in my opinion.

**Phranksizzle** · 01-02-2009 02:37 PM

Hah yeah man but I understood it was going to be hard I guess its just one of those things you NEVER get guess what its like until you are there.

**TheRule** · 01-05-2009 02:10 AM

I havn't started a business yet. Let me tell you what I expect...

I expect to start a business that will require I work 7 days a week at least 12 hours a day for the first 2 years. After the first 2 years (if I make it that far) and I'm still afloat I will then have to increase my work days to 14 hours so I can transition into the next phase of business which will be expanding out of the niche market I start in. I expect to break dead even for the first year. Second year I expect to make about $20000-40000 for personal expenses. After that I have no idea as their are FAR to many variables to know what will happen. Hell, even the first 2 years are rough to guess about but I'm sure I'm close.

Bring it the %&*# on.

**john rlenn** · 01-08-2009 02:15 PM

Hey,
TheRule, sounds like you're ready to work!, hopefully it won't turn out so bad, too bad we're no longer in the late 90s where any new dot commer could pull 10mil of venture capital without having any experience/record of profitability. In reality, no one can really imagine where your business will take you, make the right choice here, no work for a month, wrong choice there, you miss rent.. well, my experience comes from the upstart, only been in business for a year but I know there are a ton of ups and downs, it's all about how long you are willing to stay in the game until you hit the big one pretty much. I look at it like.. if someone never expresses their entrepreneurial spirit, they never have a chance to be successful in those endeavors.. if they do express their entrepreneurial spirit, they have many chances to succeed, as well as chances to fail, but failing is something that is extremely easy to overcome and learn from, especially at a young age.

**rogercbryan** · 01-08-2009 02:40 PM

It's a bit of a roller coaster ride. I had the idea for my company for about three years before I got the chance to make it happen. I know the first year I worked about 80 hours a week or more. I ended up getting divorced because of that. This all took place in 2006 & 2007. This was the first year the company really started to take off (short of the crappy economy). I like the fact that I can work when ever I want (which still means 6-7 days a week).

When I reached $1M in sales I thought that it was the greatest accomplishment of my life. That moment only lasted about 72 hours (and one hell of a hang over) long. I'll do a little under $2M in sales in 2008 and I'm still not satisfied. I guess once you get going you just want more and more. I'm now trying to open a bunch of small companies by putting decent managers in place and let them run with the ball. So far this has worked.

I guess to answer your question... coming from a blue collar family and from being on my own since I was 16 I guess it is a little of what I always dreamed about. I love what I do and I never dread going to work in the morning. I make good money.... with out sounding too lame... it all means nothing if you have no one to share it with so in 2009 I'm trying to put my personal relationships before the company (not sure it will work) or that I'll be saying the same thing next week.... blah blah blah... work life balance.. does it exist for entrepreneurs?

**john rlenn** · 01-08-2009 02:49 PM

Originally Posted by rogercbryan

It's a bit of a roller coaster ride. I had the idea for my company for about three years before I got the chance to make it happen. I know the first year I worked about 80 hours a week or more. I ended up getting divorced because of that. This all took place in 2006 & 2007. This was the first year the company really started to take off (short of the crappy economy). I like the fact that I can work when ever I want (which still means 6-7 days a week).

When I reached $1M in sales I thought that it was the greatest accomplishment of my life. That moment only lasted about 72 hours (and one hell of a hang over) long. I'll do a little under $2M in sales in 2008 and I'm still not satisfied. I guess once you get going you just want more and more. I'm now trying to open a bunch of small companies by putting decent managers in place and let them run with the ball. So far this has worked.

I guess to answer your question... coming from a blue collar family and from being on my own since I was 16 I guess it is a little of what I always dreamed about. I love what I do and I never dread going to work in the morning. I make good money.... with out sounding too lame... it all means nothing if you have no one to share it with so in 2009 I'm trying to put my personal relationships before the company (not sure it will work) or that I'll be saying the same thing next week.... blah blah blah... work life balance.. does it exist for entrepreneurs?

Not at my stage of business.. perhaps at your sales volume you can try to delegate some of your responsibility a bit and get out there!

**KKoher** · 01-08-2009 03:06 PM

Originally Posted by rogercbryan

... work life balance.. does it exist for entrepreneurs?

It does, just not easily. I think if my husband wasn't as supportive as he is something would be failing right now, my business or my marriage. But I agree with the post above me, with sales around 2M, you should def. start mentoring someone you can trust to starting taking over some of the smaller tasks, so you can get some time off. And, if worst comes to worst and you're having trouble figuring out what to do with all that money I'd be more than willing to help ya out....lol

**rogercbryan** · 01-08-2009 03:23 PM

Originally Posted by john rlenn

Not at my stage of business.. perhaps at your sales volume you can try to delegate some of your responsibility a bit and get out there!

If I had stuck to just one company (vehicle brokerage) I might be able to do that. Instead I started a handful of others. My book store has taken all my time the last two months. I'm hoping to open three more in the Spring of 2009 so it will take a bit more of my time.

That's the big thing... I'm so damn hungry for more business (not just money) that it drives me to keep myself busy. My girlfriend hardly understands what I do... she thinks I'm a small business consultant.. she also thinks I never work... I'm always on the road.. or on the phone... what ever...