[Calibre Designs]

I thought this would be quite interesting....
Can be as thorough as you like but I'm not looking for one word answers nor a personal biography.

1. What made you want to start your own business?
2. Did you expect it to be the way it is right now?
3. How has it affected your life?
4. What sacrifice did you make before starting out?
5. What would you be doing if you had not taken the plunge?

[boxby]

Working for someone who was running his business headlong into a deadend.

[sally]

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

My first business - to get away from 9-5

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

No, I thought it would take less time to run.

3. How has it affected your life?

It has made me hell to be around, I am constantly tired and very grumpy.

4. What sacrifice did you make before starting out?

My new BMW had to go and I'd only had it a month

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

Wallowing.

[Al1x]

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

I've always wanted my own business from as far back as i can remember, my other half gave me the encouragment i needed and we started KPautomotive together.

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

I though it would be a lot easier!

3. How has it affected your life?

I spend a lot of time working on the business when i could be doing something else.. I enjoy it though so its not like i mind.

4. What sacrifice did you make before starting out?

Nothing at all.. well maybe my time but thats it

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

Probably have to work full time

[Fuzzy]

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

1st: there was nothing else around so it was a niche market, first Nanny Agency in Plymouth 2nd: I was approached by a school to set up a Day Nursery with a gift from BASE 3rd: Felt like the right thing to do and I had the confidence to start the 2nd Nursery. 4th: I was forced, screaming and kicking

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

1st, 2nd and 3rd business sold now. 4th Business.....didn't expect to wait so blumming long and go through so many designers for website. It was easier setting up a Nursery!

3. How has it affected your life?

Made me a lot more confident and independent.

4. What sacrifice did you make before starting out?

I didn't take a wage for 3 years and lived with my parents.

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

Working for someone else - child orientated.
Not spending so much time on A1

[Chris(tina!)]

It's one of the first questions I ask of a new client and so many say that they took the risk because they had been made redundant etc and it gave them the 'push' or ultimatum to either look for another job or do something they had considered anyway. Many of them have successful businesses now so I would say "What made you start your own business" was either that it was the opportunity or (second most often given reason) that you feel you can 'do it better' than your employer and want to earn what they do from you! I've met plenty of those guys as well!

Haven't met so many who didn't start out as an employee.

[Alvin]

1. What made you want to start your own business? Greed
2. Did you expect it to be the way it is right now? unanswerable
3. How has it affected your life? Had to give up Bingo
4. What sacrifice did you make before starting out? see above
5. What would you be doing if you had not taken the plunge? playing Bingo

A

[Jeewhizz]

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

A number of reasons. I love working for myself. I'm very hard working & focussed, so it suits me fine - I can work at home without putting on the TV, popping out for lunch, or nattering on the phone all day (apart from to Ray!). Most of my friends say they can't hack that!

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

It's going in the right direction Put it this way - I make enough to pay the bills each month, and have a happy family life - what more is needed?

3. How has it affected your life?

I don't work 9-5! Sometimes I'll finish at 4pm, but that's a rarity! Most days it's near 6:30 - 7. You never *stop* thinking about work!

4. What sacrifice did you make before starting out?

I turned down other jobs that were higher paying!

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

Doing what I do now, but for someone else!

[Sue]

1. What made you want to start your own business?
I was waiting for a major op. My doctor, my specialist and the occupational health doctor (who worked for my employer) all supported me however my employer gave me three months to reduce my sick leave knowing that it was impossible for me to do so before I'd had my op. I ended up in a terrible state at which point my mum in law stepped in and suggested I resigned and worked for her on line business from home, after a couple of months she suggested I started my own on line business.

2. Did you expect it to be the way it is right now?
At the time I was in too much of a state to think about what kind of future the business had but I'm really pleased with how far it's come in a short space of time and what I've managed to achieve.

3. How has it affected your life?
Gradually I'm getting my confidence back and I thoroughly enjoy being my own boss.

4. What sacrifice did you make before starting out?
I gave up a well paid job having worked there for 18 years, although it was a "jump before you are pushed" scenario!

5. What would you be doing if you had not taken the plunge?
My employer had already started disciplinary action and was moving towards sacking me if I didn't reduce my sick leave in three months. As my op wasn't until five months down the line I would imagine I'd be out of work looking for someone prepared to take me on with a horrendous sick record.

[Sue]

Originally Posted by Jeewhizz

You never *stop* thinking about work!

This is very true and the only disadvantage I've found of working from home as you never actually leave work.