How many of you are self-employed?

[LATB]

Originally Posted by lspencer534

I'm with you: I have never heard pouring concrete called anything but that, and I worked for a ready-mix company in law school. I was a concrete and steel technician, meaning that I had to inspect concrete and steel for strenght.

Don't get me started on the number of buildings I saw that couldn't even pass a 2,000 psi concrete strength test, even on high-rises.

Yep, I get a laugh from these guys who play the technical word game...I wonder if they actually work in the real world.

And don't get me started on these idiots who work in the foundation/concrete industry. It's like babysitting 5 year olds.

My GC on the job is pulling his hair out. I had to be the bad guy yesterday and give the subcontractor the what for.

[simpleman68]

Originally Posted by Sneaks

Exporting meth?

Way too risky to get past customs, particularly in Port Newark.

Back in the mid 90s we used to throw a few Benjamin's at the gate guard at JFK so we could "skip to the front of the line" when we were selling Levis to Germany.
Won't be getting away with that sheit any more.

Scott

[Frizzle]

I wish....

Currently paying my dues learning my 2nd building trade.

I could see myself owning my own GC/PM business in another 5 years.

[...Whitepower...]

Me flipping real estate is my end game to be self employed in the near future. For now the wife and i both work 9-5's and do the real estate on the side. Once the biz bank account hits a certain dollar amount either the wife or i will quit. One of us will continue to work for the man so that we have health bene's for the fam.

[LATB]

Originally Posted by Frizzle

I wish....

Currently paying my dues learning my 2nd building trade.

I could see myself owning my own GC/PM business in another 5 years.

Do it

[Craig]

I make more money working for big business than I could on my own. We're saving big time now hoping that I can retire in a few years and work as a "consultant" on my own time and terms. I'll never make as much, but hopefully it won't matter by then.

[DAB]

Guess you could say I'm self employed.

Manage investments and pretty much do what I want, including working in my wood shop and experimenting making jewelry. Some stuff I sell to break even, other stuff I give away.

[Admiral Blue]

I would not trade being self-employed for anything. I cannot imagine having a boss. I have a boutique wealth management practice and love what I do and the people I work with.

Spence, your concerns are probably natural, but it is good to hear that you have proven them to be irrational.

[LATB]

Originally Posted by DAB

Guess you could say I'm self employed.

Manage investments and pretty much do what I want, including working in my wood shop and experimenting making jewelry. Some stuff I sell to break even, other stuff I give away.

That's livin the dream in my book

[DAB]

Psst, pacemakers aren't cheap.

Used red convertible still on hold.

Someday.

[LATB]

Originally Posted by DAB

Psst, pacemakers aren't cheap.

Used red convertible still on hold.

Someday.

What year you dreamin of?

[DAB]

Originally Posted by LarsAtTheBeach

What year you dreamin of?

C5 or C6 would be fine. Manual would be nice too.

I don't fit in a C4.

Well, I barely fit in Beadist's 96 on the pass side.

[Fastguy]

I am 100% commission, all the uncertainty of self employment without the overhead!

[99 pewtercoupe]

Originally Posted by Fastguy

I am 100% commission, all the uncertainty of self employment without the overhead!

Well that isa great definition of it

[99 pewtercoupe]

My younger brother started his own custom cabinet business years ago. Built up quite a rep with the custom home builders in that area. His reputation got to the point where builders were always banging on his door. At one point he had close to a year backlog. Then he started to give in to delivery pressure and was working 80 hours a week and still having to chase these same guys to pay him after he did the work. Finally he struck a deal with the builder he liked working with the most. Builder bought the business and my brother became GM. Lot less stress and even though he still works 60 hours a week, he is a lot happier not having to deal with receivables, payables, etc.
The deal must have worked out OK financially for him since his toy cars are all Ferraris versus my Vette

[DAB]

Having designed and built our kitchen, there is a lot of margin in custom cabinets. Our entire 16x11 kitchen ran just under 23 k. Including 7 k for appliances. And 6 k for counters.

Cabinets are all 3/4" maple ply, doors and drawer fronts solid wormy maple.

[Entropy]

Originally Posted by Waco

Nope. I work for "the man". :P

I do have a lot of freedom in my job. If I didn't I'd be working for more money elsewhere.

[onedef92]

My father-in-law was self-employed all his workinig life as a heavy equipment operator. He sold his equipment a few years ago after a car accident left him with a bad back injury and he was unable to work.

When my MIL died back in 2004, he said, "well, I just lost the only boss I ever had." He said he loved being self-employed and would have it no other way.

[onedef92]

If I had it like that, I'd love to refurbish vintage electromechanical coin-op and arcade games out of my garage to O.E.M. (and beyond specs.) then sell them to the next man's mancave for profit.

[mrvette]

Originally Posted by LarsAtTheBeach

That's livin the dream in my book

Yeh, pretty much the same far as I"m concerned, I just dabble around, fix family cars, fix most anything, get up around 8am, take a snooze in the PM, and get a gallon of milk once a week at the store.....yawn, time for a snooze....