what did you make/expect to make in your 1st year?

[ltw]

Hi everyone, I was wondering if anyone would like to share their 1st years turnover and profit and how it has grown/expects to grow in the following years. I think its useful for startups and new businesses to appreciate and be aware of, as a new business it the first year can be quite difficult and I'm wondering how many have struggled, how many have succeeded straight away and any tips and knowledge you have gained on the way...

[The Stealthy One]

My very first year in business, I was hoping to make about $40,000, and instead lost $2,000! Things are much better than that now!

[jhhardin]

I am currently about 1000$ in the whole and I am looking at about 8 months since incorporation.

Not that my business was designed to be a big money maker though. This is one that I would simply like to break even on. It's more for the users than for the cash.

[Andrew311]

I am currently about 1000$ in the whole and I am looking at about 8 months since incorporation.

Not that my business was designed to be a big money maker though. This is one that I would simply like to break even on. It's more for the users than for the cash.

This is a side point, but the second paragraph irks me a little bit. Sorry to nitpick, but I just have to say this.

If you make make something for the users, if you solve one of their problems, if you make meaning, and you do it for enough users, then in my mind it should make money, even if it isn't going into your pocket. Meaning has value. Take Wikipedia, they offer a collective wealth of information for free, but that doesn't mean they don't make money, that it isn't valuable. Just look at that Fundraising for proof of that.

But I digress, on to the real point...

Expect vs make is all relative (edited), and to be honest, I don't see how a couple of random numbers thrown out there helps your cause much. Bill Gates probably didn't expect to be the richest man in the world, but he is, and I don't see how knowing his numbers of expect vs. make will help you become the richest man in the world. I exaggerate, but you start to see my point.

If you are looking for some sort of confirmation that people are making money with their own entrepreneurial ventures, then you already know the answer to that is yes. If that isn't what you are looking for, if you are just looking for tips to make money rather than lose it, well you can spend a lifetime learning that

[jhhardin]

This is a side point, but the second paragraph irks me a little bit. Sorry to nitpick, but I just have to say this.

If you make make something for the users, if you solve one of their problems, if you make meaning, and you do it for enough users, then in my mind it should make money, even if it isn't going into your pocket. Meaning has value. Take Wikipedia, they offer a collective wealth of information for free, but that doesn't mean they don't make money, that it isn't valuable. Just look at that Fundraising for proof of that.

But I digress, on to the real point...

Expect vs make is all relevant, and to be honest, I don't see how a couple of random numbers thrown out there helps your cause much. Bill Gates probably didn't expect to be the richest man in the world, but he is, and I don't see how knowing his numbers of expect vs. make will help you become the richest man in the world. I exaggerate, but you start to see my point.

If you are looking for some sort of confirmation that people are making money with their own entrepreneurial ventures, then you already know the answer to that is yes. If that isn't what you are looking for, if you are just looking for tips to make money rather than lose it, well you can spend a lifetime learning that

Andrew,

I am glad my comments irked you enough to make you to speak up

You have a point, and I definitely would like to make money. In fact, I hope that what I am building will be worth quite a bit one day. Truth be told, this business has been more of a learning experience than anything else, and if it helps people and allows me to gain experience, then I have succeeded, at least on one point. And, as you stated, the funds will hopefully come as a result.

[journeyoftheanimala]

My first year has not began yet. I will have a web hosting company very soon and am also coming out with an an online pet supply store (as soon as some things are fixed with my web host). I don't care too much about how much I make in my first year. All I care about for now is that I make something. Would be nice to make a few hundred a day but for now, anything is better then nothing.

[more freedom]

I was expecting to become a millionaire in my first year, but I ended up breaking even. Now I am making money... Good learning experience.