[pvcprinting]

1. What made you want to start your own business?

After having done 21 years in the aviation industry, I wanted something that would allow me to keep dry & warm into my old age!

2. Did you expect it to be the way it is right now?

I knew it was not going to be easy, I had hoped it would be further forward than it currenely is, however external factors have thus far prevented it moving forward in the manner I had hoped

3. How has it affected your life?

I am knackered - along with still being employed full time and also having a toddler daughter who has been quite poorly, I am struggling to get to grips with what is required and when to carry the business forward....so much to learn, but just not enough time

4. What sacrifice did you make before starting out?

Gambled ALL our savings and a little bit more on the set up - still to be able to take a salary from it, but hopefully sometime soon

5. What would you be doing if you had not taken the plunge?

Would remain in the aviation industry and just get cold & wet into my old age

[Nicksyb]

What made you want to start your own business?
I always knew that I wanted to work for myself and have something that I did/made be successful so that I could show everybody that thought I was a lost cause that I could do something with my life.

Did you expect it to be the way it is right now?
It's still in the early stages but I never realised how much hard work it would be

How has it affected your life?
It's the first thing I think of in the morning and last thing at night. Doesn't help when I have a full time job and all I can think of is I wish I was working on my site now.

What sacrifice did you make before starting out?
None yet.

What would you be doing if you had not taken the plunge?Still working at my full time job (still there) but with no prospects of ever leaving.

[hi-de-hi]

1. What made you want to start your own business?

Being unhappy in current career and also being encouraged by many folks around me that I should turn my hobby into a business.

2. Did you expect it to be the way it is right now?

Yes, I guess at the moment it is what I expected.

3. How has it affected your life?

It is difficult to 'switch off' from work and to be disciplined enough to take a weekend off. I tend to stress a little over the paperwork too, something I didn't do whilst being employed.

4. What sacrifice did you make before starting out?

Definitely financial - a big pay cut.

5. What would you be doing if you had not taken the plunge?

Probably still sat behind a desk, feeling more and more despondent about life.

[CKG]

What made you want to start your own business?

Simply the money. There is no way I could earn the money I do now unless I was a doctor or something clever like that. And I'm not that clever at science and stuff...


Did you expect it to be the way it is right now?

No. I thought my firm would be massive and take over North Wales and I'd be a millionaire heating engineer.

Now I know that's never going to happen!



How has it affected your life?

Sometimes I wish I had a simple life a 9-5 and no worries. But I know i'd be bored with that so it drives me a bit mad sometimes...


What sacrifice did you make before starting out?

None whatsoever - I had nothing to sacrifice because I was quite young.



What would you be doing if you had not taken the plunge?

Being groomed by my in-laws to take over the family business. I made a lucky escape!

[icequeen]

Interesting thread! Here's my answers.

1. What made you want to start your own business?
I couldn't afford to return to work - 3 kids under three (twins weren't in my equation when I took on a new job as an HR Manager but had to give up at my three month probation when I found out I was expecting). Childcare was/is extoritionate, hard enough with one child but impossible with 3. Also my twins had a few health issues when they were born and realistically I wouldn't have been able to return to work at that stage anyway.

2. Did you expect it to be the way it is right now?
Absolutely not, the business has changed forms and directions so many times over the years it is now a completely different beast to when I started.

3. How has it affected your life?
It has completely changed by life. In some ways it fits perfectly with my growing family - I'm able to be off if the kids are ill and I can always (well mostly) attend events at the school. The trade off is the ridiculous hours I work to achieve my flexible lifestyle.

4. What sacrifice did you make before starting out?
I didn't really, but, have made plenty since - including running up huge personal debt paying for staff salaries and stock on my credit cards at one point! Never again.

5. What would you be doing if you had not taken the plunge?
I'd either be a full time sahm but can't see that as I hated being home all day with the kids. No doubt I would be in a high pressured corporate job still climbing the corporate career ladder.

[Andy Trish]

1. What made you want to start your own business?

I wanted to start a training business teaching computer engineers but my previous employer threatened me when I handed in my notice to leave and told me if I attempted to approach any of his customers (he supplied computer network services) then he would come after me. bad move, I started a business the same day doing exactly what he did, I now own his business too.

2. Did you expect it to be the way it is right now?

not quite, I knew it would be successful but as fast growing as it is.

3. How has it affected your life?

no debts, money in the bank, I actually feel secure and happy for the first time in my life

4. What sacrifice did you make before starting out?

Time, stress, and a very helpful and supportive wife got me through.

5. What would you be doing if you had not taken the plunge?

working for someone else, paying my bills, getting through each week.

[exotic detail]

1. What made you want to start your own business?
I knew from a young age i wanted to run my own business, and be very successful...as mentioned before its the only way to my dream of one day owning a Ferrari. Exotic Detail is the first of many
2. Did you expect it to be the way it is right now?
In a way, yes and no. Next month i will have done a Ferrari, Porsche and Lamborghini which was always a goal for me but i still have a long way to go.
3. How has it affected your life?
Its hard at times, but its sooo fun you dont notice
4. What sacrifice did you make before starting out?
Not many, i think others around me had to sacrifice alot to support me (emotionally)
5. What would you be doing if you had not taken the plunge?
I hate to think!