running your own business

[General Cornwalls 0]

Are you running your own business here in the US since you arrived? I am.

[Jenn! 918]

[Sinergy 3]

Good for you!

[Krikit 1,165]

Hi General. I've moved your thread over to the "Moving Here" forum. OT can get a little rough.

I'm not running my own business, but I've considered it. What do you do?

[General Cornwalls 0]

I thought of going into the computer fixing business but there are so many bad technicians out there that I didn't want to be associated with it. Thus I started a photography business. Having said that, there's room for a cheaper Geek Squad type business.

[BabyBlueSusie 1]

buddy christ, my hero

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

I started up an LLC to handle the work I was still doing for my UK employer when I moved over here -- even though I had given them 5 months to find my successor they didn't even start the search until 3 weeks before I left! Anyway, although that contract is up, I still use the LLC for my consulting business and am employed part-time by a local university. Soon, however, I'll be moving from employee status to contractor on that too so I will be completely self-employed for the first time ever.

I've found the change to the pace of my life amazing -- I set my hours for the most part, I can do things like go to the shops whenever I feel like it, or grab a book and mooch in the university library on a rainy day. And yet I've only lost the equivalent of about $10k a year for this massive uptick in quality of life. I still might go back to full-time employment someday at an investment manager, but for the time being, this fits the bill.

[JelloShotGirl 0]

yeah my hubby is tired of working for somone else LOL for ####### wages, we are trying tosave $$ start up automotive repair business..it is not easy but good luck to you all

[General Cornwalls 0]

My main problem is getting clients. I'm hitting public events with a lime-green high-visibility waistcoat with my logo on it, soon.

I had one whacko who emailed me - no first name - just called himself S. Davis using a hotmail account. This should get your eyes rolling!

He asked if I did funeral photography as he couldn't find it on my website so I said yes (it's not on the main page but it's on one of the other pages) and quoted a price. He also said that he had a terminally ill relative that he wanted the funeral coverage for. Wacky but possibly plausible though I didn't rate it highly.

He didn't respond to my question as to his location or to my suggestion that a photograph be taken of the person while still alive.

Then he asked if I would photograph the corpse in the casket. In the same email he asked if I'd photograph his daughter's wedding.

I said certainly and asked the name of the funeral home, his location, where his daughter was getting married etc.

He gave me the name of a funeral home only he didn't get it quite right - it was a good guess at the name though. I rang them and they had never heard of an S Davis.

Then he told me it was his niece not his daughter and then that there weren't many photos on my website and could he see more.

I responded that I would be happy to meet him to show him my physical portfolio.

He replied his niece was in some other state and would not be able to come to see them and that as such they probably would not be doing business.

At that point I wondered exactly what he was getting out of a bizarre email exchange. He certainly didn't get photos of pretty women or corpses. Maybe that was what he was after? It was just utterly bizarre.

Anyway - you can roll your eyes back down now. I told you my truly wacky business tale of the year.

[Jeraly 4]

Haha - that sounds mad!!

I want to set up my own business making wedding jewellery and accessories - I have my business plan albeit in my head - I just have to put it into practise... or at least put some feelers out until I get my EAD

[Krikit 1,165]

My main problem is getting clients. I'm hitting public events with a lime-green high-visibility waistcoat with my logo on it, soon.

Don't know where you're located, General, but I know a photographer who has her name at all the timeshares and hotels in Myrtle Beach. When guests are having special events, or even if they just ask, the office automatically gives them the photographer's contact information. Just a thought for you.

Can you share your website information?

[General Cornwalls 0]

My main problem is getting clients. I'm hitting public events with a lime-green high-visibility waistcoat with my logo on it, soon.

Don't know where you're located, General, but I know a photographer who has her name at all the timeshares and hotels in Myrtle Beach. When guests are having special events, or even if they just ask, the office automatically gives them the photographer's contact information. Just a thought for you.

Can you share your website information?

www.sagephotoworld.com

[ladybird216 2]

Yep, we have our own business....actually two of them - one corporation and one LLC.....we make terrible employees so decided to be 'The Bosses' thumbs:

[General Cornwalls 0]

Yep, we have our own business....actually two of them - one corporation and one LLC.....we make terrible employees so decided to be 'The Bosses' thumbs:

I had so many bad employers and so much non-response to job applications that I just started my own. Getting clients is fun though - lol.

We're not so bad though - my wife's in medicine and we also run an antique stall as a hobby.

[StillThePrettiest 3]

after a quick glance at your website I would offer one piece of feedback - you need LOADS more sample photos of people, preferably at the type of events you're trying to get business at (I'd assume weddings, christenings...?)

if I was in the market for a photographer and stumbled upon your site, I'd have no evidence you were up to the job and probably wouldn't investigate further

hope that's helpful; please ignore if not, as I'm trying to be constructive and not critical

Edited May 8, 2008 by StillThePrettiest