Regular employment is now an unappealing prospect!

[tobae]

I am 24 years old and graduated from university (like everyone else) three years ago. I spent the next two years working on and then running what proved to be a thoroughly unsuccessful business - at its peak we had a net profit of around £250/month before wages
Yes, working full time

But, it was great fun, and I found it constantly engaging and exciting. Some aspects I was good at and enjoyed more, and other parts I was bad at and didn't enjoy. But overall it was interesting and I was proud of it. I learnt a lot from it all but knew it wasn't going anywhere so I wound it up late last year and have been unemployed since.

The trouble now is that the prospect of regular employment, some shop or office job, just seems terrible. So mundane and boring, and no chances to use my initiative really.

Has anyone else found themselves feeling this way? I will have to just do it eventually, once my money runs out - work in Sainsbury's or something. But this is the classic problem in all areas of life, haha - once you've had something "better" it is very hard to settle for less than that, though you may have been perfectly content with it previously.

hmm.

 

I think most people can relate to the feeling; I guess the key is to see it as part of a learning curve; by working within an organisation (any organisation!) you can start to see how things are done; how they could be done, what is wrong, what is right and what you can do better. You can also start building useful contacts.

Basically, view it as a paid training course before setting up you next business.


Good luck.

 

[KateCB]

I find it strange that you were earning SOMETHING from your 'unsuccessful business' but wound it up (was it a limited company?) and now earn nothing......surely you could have looked at ways to make it more profitable? Expanded its offering etc?

With a degree, surely you should also be looking at something more challenging that working in Sauinsbury's, particularly since you tried your hand at running a business - most start up businesses don't make £250 NET profit in their first year, so it may not have made you a millionaire, but it was earning money.

It seems strange to have a little money and a lot of enthusiasm for a little business, to suddenly say "thats it, not making enough, I would rather have no money and nothing to get out of bed for".......?

Re-open it, look at what went right and what went wrong, see if you can build it and earn something and make something of it and yourself instead of sitting on your bum and savings and hoping a shelf stacking job in a supermarket comes along!

 

[tobae]

I find it strange that you were earning SOMETHING from your 'unsuccessful business' but wound it up

It took up ALL of my time and attention, which was worth more to me than what I was earning. I had other things I wanted to do, and it hadn't grown for a long time. I also could not identify any way to expand the business and no longer considered it to have potential. I could have earned twice as much just being on benefits, you understand.

surely you could have looked at ways to make it more profitable? Expanded its offering etc?

Of course I did.

With a degree, surely you should also be looking at something more challenging that working in Sauinsbury's

Hardly - everyone has a degree these days, and mine is nothing special.

, particularly since you tried your hand at running a business - most start up businesses don't make £250 NET profit in their first year, so it may not have made you a millionaire, but it was earning money.

Yes many businesses don't profit for some time, but they at least have potential to do so eventually. In my opinion, and that of others involved or whom I consulted, my business had no prospects and was not going to grow to a worthwhile size. I'm not going to go into details here, that's all behind me now and I am very content with how extensively I considered the matter before making the decision to close down.

It seems strange to have a little money and a lot of enthusiasm for a little business, to suddenly say "thats it, not making enough,

It wasn't "sudden", what do you mean? I don't mean to be rude, but since you know nothing of what the business was, what we did and why, or any other details whatsoever, you will just have to accept my decision - a decision which I have not regretted for a single moment since. If anything I ought to have shut it down much, much earlier.

Re-open it

How can you possibly give that advice without knowing anything about the business, lol? Ridiculous.

 

[KateCB]

I agree, I know nothing about your ex-business, I don't care about your decision, I don't have to accept or deny it, it is irrelevant to me!

I offered you the benefit of my considerable experience of not only business, but life, and my personal opinion, which is what these forums are all about. I have children older than you, and know how hard it is to 'make it', but my kids have done it and both without a degree, whether it be 'special' or not.

If you had read any of my other posts, you would see that I set little store by a degree anyway, I employ people who can do the job, for who they are and what they can achieve, not for the piece of paper they hold from 3 - 10 years ago!

I hate the benefit culture, never used it, so to tell me that you could earn more on benefits than working on your business leaves me quite cold, the workers pay for the benefits, the people running small businesses etc, and it is a touchy subject for many of us!

It is very sad that someone like yourself, obviously educated, cannot see the good that is meant by the postings here, If you do not take on board what is said, then perhaps the moan about 'employment is unappealing' isn't really a subject for a BUsiness board, made up of business people, running businesses with varying degrees of success and failure?

I hope you do find a job soon, then again I hope the other 1.1million people who graduated over the course of the last 6 years get one too.....!

 

[tobae]

I agree, I know nothing about your ex-business

Yes.

I offered you the benefit of my considerable experience of not only business, but life, and my personal opinion, which is what these forums are all about.

While meaning well, I'm sure, it was hollow, vapid and vague encouragement, which I'm afraid I've always been immune to, thankfully.

I hate the benefit culture, never used it, so to tell me that you could earn more on benefits than working on your business leaves me quite cold

It's a simple statement of fact.

I hope you do find a job soon, then again I hope the other 1.1million people who graduated over the course of the last 6 years get one too.....!

Yes, there are simply too many people. Everywhere.

 

[KateCB]

Tobae, all people who post here mean well.

We do not expect our opinions, expertise, experience, and well meant recommendations, thoughts or advice to be targets, abused and called 'vapid and vague'. We cannot give 'deep and meaningful' posts, this is not the correct vehicle for that type of response - what did you expect from your post - a pat on the back, or a 'poor little lamb' response?

In my opinion, at this moment in time, you are the essence of hollow, vapid and vague as you have no idea what to do with your life, whether to do it or how to do it, and have become quite vicious in your defence of your own actions.....but take heart - you are not alone at 24, there are thousands like you.

I hope you find what you are looking for, and also learn to accept well meant opinions and advice without attacking the person who in this instance actually 'wasted' their time attempting to give you a direction and further thought about your own future.

 

To be honest OP I would suggest that you are not yet sufficiently mature to survive in the world of business or on this forum.

This is a forum for grown up business people (or aspiring business people), and survives on constructive criticism, which you have been given.

You have chosen to ignore the constructive and attack the criticism, not unlike a spoilt teenager. Your original post was bordering on self-pity, but we chose to overlook that, though I'm a little surprised that some regular posters didn't have more to say.

I expect your friends on Facebook and Myspace will give you the sympathy you seem to be looking for, but I fear you won't be getting it here.

Please don't feel the need to reply!

 

[cricket1]

Did you realise that it takes 2-3 years to establish a business before you can even think of making a profit?

 

[estwig]

Did you realise that it takes 2-3 years to establish a business before you can even think of making a profit?

Really??

What all businesses??

I must be doing somefink wrong then!!

 

[Chris Ashdown]

What was your position in the company, what were the skills you aquired from doing it, why can you not use these skills to do the same work in a company that has got pst the start up stage

You went to University to learn life skills why not use them

Failing that why not join the forces for three years and learn a skill

If you were my son I would say " for god sake pull yourself together and start using your very expensive brain to achieve something in this world"

 

[tobae]

Tobae, all people who post here mean well.

Of course.

We do not expect our opinions, expertise, experience, and well meant recommendations, thoughts or advice to be targets, abused and called 'vapid and vague'.

I say what I think, and I have no time for nonsense and feel-good replies.

We cannot give 'deep and meaningful' posts, this is not the correct vehicle for that type of response - what did you expect from your post - a pat on the back, or a 'poor little lamb' response?

Just to chat, really. Passing some time. I barely use this forum.

In my opinion, at this moment in time, you are the essence of hollow, vapid and vague

meow!

as you ... have become quite vicious in your defence of your own actions

And rightly so.

I hope you find what you are looking for, and also learn to accept well meant opinions and advice without attacking the person who in this instance actually 'wasted' their time attempting to give you a direction and further thought about your own future.

I can not accept opinions and advice, however well meant they may be, when I consider them to be contentless and unfounded. But, sure, "thanks".

 

[Mattlock]

If i were in that position i'd view it as a fresh start ,wipe the slate clean and write up some notes for the future (the big lessons you've learn't from it).
It's not a disaster merely an opportunity to evolve, with enough tenacity.
all the best in the future

 

[sean.browne]

you lost the battle, are you going to choose to lose the war too or are you going to get up and fight. (although you sound ready to throw in the towel).

 

[cricket1]

The thing is Tobae, if you don't mind me saying, and hopefully you are big enough to take an objective view to my comments, many of us never had the chance to go to university or get a degree. Those options just weren't there for us so we didn't have the luxury of 'playing' at making money and very often we didn't get to choose how we made money or what job we took. We just had to take whatever was on offer to pay the bills or at least, just as a stepping stone. If you can get a job at the moment, you are probably fortunate.

I don't frequent this forum often but when I have, it has been a source of inspiration and expert help.

I have been in business 30 years and in all that time, nothing came for free. Recently I have found myself in the position of commenting on the increase for university fees and my thoughts are these.

If I want to invest in my future by starting a business to provide myself with a career and income, in most cases I would have to go and see a bank to take out a loan. I wouldn't be given the option of starting to pay it back only when I make a profit or can take a wage, my repayments would be instant.
Neither would my parents be expected to cover the loan if I defaulted. I would not be able to spend it on a car, plasma TV, holiday abroad or to buy a new state of the art Ipod.

I would not be able to quit if I didn't like it after two years (and walk away from the debt) and I wouldn't be able to take a gap year so I could trot off to a foreign land. Once I've borrowed the money and made the commitment, it's like being married. I'll have to work at it to succeed, no matter how long it takes or it will cost me a fortune to walk away.

Nothing in life is easy. If you want to start a business or any kind of project, it will generally take you 2 years of hard work and effort before you start to see results. This is because in those first 2 years, whatever profit you make is mostly ploughed back into the start up and ongoing costs of the business.

If you've got the opportunity to talk to business smart people on this forum, you could do far worse than to swallow your pride and listen.

 

[LondonCalling]

cricket1: i think you have hit the nail on the head.

success is not guaranteed in any route we take.
if you throw the towel in at the first sight of trouble - then there is no way you can survive the ups and downs of running your own business.

at 24 you have time on your side to at least learn from the mistakes you have made and hopefully not make them again.

rememeber tobae:
History repeats itself because no one listens the first time.

 

[More Control]

I agree with you Cricket1, that business is a difficult venture; it takes time, persistence and dedication.

When I ran a start up business a few years back, the best advice I was given was to live the job. That being said, everything I did would be geared towards discovering ways of how to improve the business while becoming a life long learner. Running a business requires complete commitment.

 

[officespace]

Here's my thought for what it is worth. In any business there are things that are not enjoyable, and this is owning your own business or working for others, but having a positive mental attitude to mundane or difficult tasks, makes them easier to bear. Being unemployed can be difficult both mentally and on the pocket. and of course there is the added "my business didn't quite make it." feeling. But then whats next, if you are not wishing to work for others, there is only 1 choice and that is to jump right back on the horse and start again.
I wish you luck

 

[cricket1]

I think Tobae is having a dose of reality like many his age. Or her age, apologies if I've got that wrong.
When Tobae started uni, it must have been before the global economic crisis must have got it's grip so around about 2008. His/her general experience and expectation of things would have been as he/she found it going through the rosy cosy, Harry Potter world of university. The fee structure for a start was different then.
Now he/she have emerged from the tunnel into a very different world from what it was in 2008. I don't know if anyone else agrees but things have changed rapidly in the last 3 years. I've been in Australia for 7 years, returned in 2009. The UK suffers from a lack of optimism but Australia is the opposite, they have the same problems, they just pretend it's not happening.

The attitude and realisation that Tobae needs to take is that things are now different for many people. He needs to adapt and change his expectation that just because things may have fallen into his lap easily once before, now he needs to show a lot more commitment and determination. Life isn't easy anymore. There are no more free lunches or easy options.

If you act and think as if it's all down to you, (because, trust me it is) I'm sure you will soon see a difference.

Tobae, I would either go back and kickstart your business with a new perspective, or go and get a job in Sainsbury's if that's what's on offer. Don't wait for the money to run out.
Personally, the smart thing would be to do a day job, and run your business alongside in the evenings and weekends. That's how most of us got started.

I brought a clothing production business back from Oz in 2009. Fortunately, by being shrewd we are up on last years figures and are about to increase premises size. I have had to work 24/7 and I am about to go on holiday for the first time in 7 years.

Get your head down, bum up Tobae and make it happen.

Hope this helps anyway.

 

[tobae]

This is a forum for grown up business people (or aspiring business people), and survives on constructive criticism, which you have been given.

I didn't see criticism at all, least of all constructive criticism. Just uninformed apparently random suggestions to restart my old business, from someone who knows not a single detail about it. I am much more inclined to stick with the confident decision made by myself, my colleagues and various advisers, after over two years in the company or field. Perhaps that's foolish of me, and I should instead do whatever text on a screen tells me.

You have chosen to ignore the constructive and attack the criticism, not unlike a spoilt teenager.

As above, I didn't really see any.

Your original post was bordering on self-pity, but we chose to overlook that, though I'm a little surprised that some regular posters didn't have more to say.

It was meant in a light-hearted way, more saying how pleasurable it is working for oneself rather than in regular employment./

I expect your friends on Facebook and Myspace will give you the sympathy you seem to be looking for, but I fear you won't be getting it here.

I can only try! :'(

Please don't feel the need to reply!

Too late.

Did you realise that it takes 2-3 years to establish a business before you can even think of making a profit?

That's funny, I better check my accounts again...

What was your position in the company, what were the skills you aquired from doing it, why can you not use these skills to do the same work in a company that has got pst the start up stage

I have essentially no "business" skills, i.e. those of manipulation, charm, sociability and playing to people's emotions. If I had, I would have been very lovely to whoever it was that posted the BS advice earlier, but instead I am compelled to say what I think and be direct. Very, very bad characteristic in business/marketing or any related pursuits such as dating and general social climbing.

Regarding me working in a (similar?) company that's up and running - no one else does what we did, in this area. And for good reason, haha.:redface:

You went to University to learn life skills

I went to university to delay getting a job and being an adult, like any sensible person.

Failing that why not join the forces for three years and learn a skill

I'm considering it, I've looked at military careers quite a bit.

If i were in that position i'd view it as a fresh start ,wipe the slate clean and write up some notes for the future (the big lessons you've learn't from it).
It's not a disaster merely an opportunity to evolve, with enough tenacity.
all the best in the future

Oh absolutely not a disaster - I had fun and learnt (or confirmed) a lot about what I am and am not good at.

you lost the battle, are you going to choose to lose the war too or are you going to get up and fight. (although you sound ready to throw in the towel).

I'm not sure what the practical implications would be of fighting, or giving up. I am looking at other business ideas all the time and may well try something else when an idea comes along, yes.

The thing is Tobae, if you don't mind me saying,

go ahead

and hopefully you are big enough to take an objective view to my comments, many of us never had the chance to go to university or get a degree.

mhm, things are very different these days. Even useless ****s like me can go to uni.

Those options just weren't there for us so we didn't have the luxury of 'playing' at making money and very often we didn't get to choose how we made money or what job we took. We just had to take whatever was on offer to pay the bills or at least, just as a stepping stone. If you can get a job at the moment, you are probably fortunate.

Yes I'm very lucky, and I'm naturally frugal which means I live extremely cheaply and in fact don't have to work much at all. I have some small part-time jobs and odd bits here and there, and can subsist on that indefinitely.

I don't frequent this forum often but when I have, it has been a source of inspiration and expert help.

They were very helpful a year or two ago, yes. When I was starting up.

I have been in business 30 years and in all that time, nothing came for free. Recently I have found myself in the position of commenting on the increase for university fees and my thoughts are these.

If I want to invest in my future by starting a business to provide myself with a career and income, in most cases I would have to go and see a bank to take out a loan. I wouldn't be given the option of starting to pay it back only when I make a profit or can take a wage, my repayments would be instant.
Neither would my parents be expected to cover the loan if I defaulted. I would not be able to spend it on a car, plasma TV, holiday abroad or to buy a new state of the art Ipod.

I would not be able to quit if I didn't like it after two years (and walk away from the debt) and I wouldn't be able to take a gap year so I could trot off to a foreign land. Once I've borrowed the money and made the commitment, it's like being married. I'll have to work at it to succeed, no matter how long it takes or it will cost me a fortune to walk away.

Yea, fortunately I paid it all off quite quickly. There wasn't much investment needed.

If you've got the opportunity to talk to business smart people on this forum,

Among other sorts.

you could do far worse than to swallow your pride and listen.

I read every word.

Here's my thought for what it is worth. In any business there are things that are not enjoyable, and this is owning your own business or working for others, but having a positive mental attitude to mundane or difficult tasks, makes them easier to bear. Being unemployed can be difficult both mentally and on the pocket. and of course there is the added "my business didn't quite make it." feeling. But then whats next, if you are not wishing to work for others, there is only 1 choice and that is to jump right back on the horse and start again.
I wish you luck

Yea, that's my intention. I don't have any pure business skills as such, so I need to think of something I do well and can bring in other people to fill in the gaps.

I think Tobae is having a dose of reality like many his age. Or her age, apologies if I've got that wrong.

Mostly "he".

The attitude and realisation that Tobae needs to take is that things are now different for many people. He needs to adapt and change his expectation that just because things may have fallen into his lap easily once before, now he needs to show a lot more commitment and determination. Life isn't easy anymore. There are no more free lunches or easy options.

Yes I never had to work at all through school and university, to be honest. And I'll be damned if I'm going to start now!

Tobae, I would either go back and kickstart your business with a new perspective, or go and get a job in Sainsbury's if that's what's on offer. Don't wait for the money to run out.

Yea I won't go right down to nothing, I have about £10k behind me still.

Personally, the smart thing would be to do a day job, and run your business alongside in the evenings and weekends. That's how most of us got started.

Ah but mine was a real business
Actually providing a real day-time service and all that, it was all or nothing.

I brought a clothing production business back from Oz in 2009. Fortunately, by being shrewd we are up on last years figures and are about to increase premises size. I have had to work 24/7 and I am about to go on holiday for the first time in 7 years.

Was it worth it?

 

[thegoldrush]

I agree its getting tough and the 9-5 job was predicted many years ago would eventually go, more and more young enterprising people working from home.
I am earning far more money working in three online business opps and enjoying the freedom. No bosses no set hours who wants it anyway.
I worked in banking and finance and thought it was a job for life, not anymore.
When you work for yourself you can earn far more.
My areas are buying Gold online as a business without boundaries and its free to join. In another business giving free stuff away. The best is having your own comparison site no not insurance but 240 million products and the best part
cost me £120 set up joining fee and when you give free apt's away to your friends etc when they buy you get paid when they browse you get paid.

Try the free apt first before you consider joining not going to tell you wat my pay cheque is every month.

Never pay silly prices again by using our free APT
The magic of our shopping genie will save you time
and money register by clicking on the link below
productpricebeater.c o m

 

[joiner]

I didn't see criticism at all, least of all constructive criticism. Just uninformed apparently random suggestions to restart my old business, from someone who knows not a single detail about it. I am much more inclined to stick with the confident decision made by myself, my colleagues and various advisers, after over two years in the company or field. Perhaps that's foolish of me, and I should instead do whatever text on a screen tells me.



As above, I didn't really see any.



It was meant in a light-hearted way, more saying how pleasurable it is working for oneself rather than in regular employment./



I can only try! :'(



Too late.





That's funny, I better check my accounts again...





I have essentially no "business" skills, i.e. those of manipulation, charm, sociability and playing to people's emotions. If I had, I would have been very lovely to whoever it was that posted the BS advice earlier, but instead I am compelled to say what I think and be direct. Very, very bad characteristic in business/marketing or any related pursuits such as dating and general social climbing.

Regarding me working in a (similar?) company that's up and running - no one else does what we did, in this area. And for good reason, haha.:redface:



I went to university to delay getting a job and being an adult, like any sensible person.



I'm considering it, I've looked at military careers quite a bit.




Oh absolutely not a disaster - I had fun and learnt (or confirmed) a lot about what I am and am not good at.



I'm not sure what the practical implications would be of fighting, or giving up. I am looking at other business ideas all the time and may well try something else when an idea comes along, yes.



go ahead



mhm, things are very different these days. Even useless ****s like me can go to uni.



Yes I'm very lucky, and I'm naturally frugal which means I live extremely cheaply and in fact don't have to work much at all. I have some small part-time jobs and odd bits here and there, and can subsist on that indefinitely.



They were very helpful a year or two ago, yes. When I was starting up.



Yea, fortunately I paid it all off quite quickly. There wasn't much investment needed.



Among other sorts.



I read every word.




Yea, that's my intention. I don't have any pure business skills as such, so I need to think of something I do well and can bring in other people to fill in the gaps.



Mostly "he".



Yes I never had to work at all through school and university, to be honest. And I'll be damned if I'm going to start now!



Yea I won't go right down to nothing, I have about £10k behind me still.



Ah but mine was a real business
Actually providing a real day-time service and all that, it was all or nothing.



Was it worth it?

You've obviously already got all the answers.

 

[CSBob]

You've obviously already got all the answers.

Yeah, it makes me wonder if I was such a know-it-all, cocky little sh*t 20-odd years ago, or whether it's just something they teach along with all those useless degrees these days?

A fine example of the youth of today. Makes me proud to be British!

 

[Chris34]

I don't think we have a cocky young chap here. I think what we have got is a lot of so called business know it alls trying to tell him to carry on with the business and talking crap instead of answering his original question.

One of the hardest things to do in business is knowing when to stop. Many people just keep going and in the end they either go bust or they end up throwing years of their lives away limping with their business in the hope that something is around the next corner that is going to save them. I think many on here could learn something from this guy, ask yourselves how many of you are limping by at the moment? If your business hasn't got a visible and viable future for growth and you are limping then what is the point in carrying on? Unfortunately many view their own businesses through rose tinted spectacles and make the mistake of limping for far too long, I think this guy has got it about right and should be patted on the back for making a clear decisive decision not to carry on.

Now to answer your question about going back to the workplace well don't worry about it, if you have worked as hard as you say you have then you will find working for somebody else an absolute doddle. You only have to work about 8 hours a day (not 12-15 like most start ups) and when you have finished your work you don't have anything to worry about. On top of this you actually get at least 4 weeks paid holiday a year and all your bank holidays you get off and they are paid aswell.

Honestly if you have really worked hard in your business then working for somebody else is like paradise, it's just so easy. You will actually find that you get more of your sociable life back so it's nowhere near as bad as you think it would be. The only problem is that you will not make millions working for somebody else but then again not many in business do make those millions



Chris.

 

[CSBob]

I don't think we have a cocky young chap here. I think what we have got is a lot of so called business know it alls trying to tell him to carry on with the business and talking crap instead of answering his original question.

I'm certainly not going to read through it all again but I'm pretty damned certain only one person made that suggestion before he made his own thoughts on the subject clear in no uncertain terms. Albeit some of the others were commenting on that decision, or offering their own perspective.

Irregardless, this is a business forum, not one for careers advice. It's perfectly natural for many regular uses here to offer encouragement, advice and opinion to one who seems to be struggling, or who's just down in the dumps over how things are going. They don't expect - nor deserve - to have their well-meaning sentiments rammed back down their throats by arrogant little plonkers like this.

Whatever happened to common courtesy?

Seriously, for the most part I utterly despair of the youth of today.

 

[tobae]

I don't think we have a cocky young chap here. I think what we have got is a lot of so called business know it alls trying to tell him to carry on with the business and talking crap instead of answering his original question.

One of the hardest things to do in business is knowing when to stop. Many people just keep going and in the end they either go bust or they end up throwing years of their lives away limping with their business in the hope that something is around the next corner that is going to save them. I think many on here could learn something from this guy, ask yourselves how many of you are limping by at the moment? If your business hasn't got a visible and viable future for growth and you are limping then what is the point in carrying on? Unfortunately many view their own businesses through rose tinted spectacles and make the mistake of limping for far too long, I think this guy has got it about right and should be patted on the back for making a clear decisive decision not to carry on.

I limped for too long, if anything - and didn't conduct enough research at the beginning. I think that's the main lesson I can take from it - there was little up-front investment required so I just jumped in and tried it, but was always tempted to keep waiting and trying and seeing what was around the corner, as you put it. A few £hundred and a couple of months of more direct research would have saved me a lot of time - but still, it was a reasonable way to spend those years really. As good as anything else, in the end.

Now to answer your question about going back to the workplace well don't worry about it, if you have worked as hard as you say you have then you will find working for somebody else an absolute doddle. You only have to work about 8 hours a day (not 12-15 like most start ups) and when you have finished your work you don't have anything to worry about. On top of this you actually get at least 4 weeks paid holiday a year and all your bank holidays you get off and they are paid aswell.

Honestly if you have really worked hard in your business then working for somebody else is like paradise, it's just so easy. You will actually find that you get more of your sociable life back so it's nowhere near as bad as you think it would be. The only problem is that you will not make millions working for somebody else but then again not many in business do make those millions

Aye, it just seems more like "work" when it's a) for someone else, and b) not doing something you particularly care about - which, let's be honest, applies to most people in most jobs.

I'm sure I'll get used to it really, though.

I'm certainly not going to read through it all again but I'm pretty damned certain only one person made that suggestion before he made his own thoughts on the subject clear in no uncertain terms. Albeit some of the others were commenting on that decision, or offering their own perspective.

That's basically it, yes.

Irregardless, this is a business forum, not one for careers advice. It's perfectly natural for many regular uses here to offer encouragement, advice and opinion to one who seems to be struggling, or who's just down in the dumps over how things are going. They don't expect - nor deserve - to have their well-meaning sentiments rammed back down their throats by arrogant little plonkers like this.

Maybe this will make them think more carefully about what they're actually recommending, and why.

Whatever happened to common courtesy?

Seriously, for the most part I utterly despair of the youth of today.

Me too, dude. Me too (seriously)

 

[GeorgeStrait]

SEO or Business Mentor could well be your calling. These are usually run by failed graduates who then failed at business. For the full "set" of qualifications though you need to be made redundant as well, so maybe something for the future.

 

[Estimator]

I started out not liking this poster, but then he came out with this gem which had me rolling on the floor.

I have essentially no "business" skills, i.e. those of manipulation, charm, sociability and playing to people's emotions. If I had, I would have been very lovely to whoever it was that posted the BS advice earlier, but instead I am compelled to say what I think and be direct. Very, very bad characteristic in business/marketing .

That is something you don't get posted on here very frequently, the guy is at least honest and speaks his mind.
Welcome to the forum, young man!

 

[Chris34]

Even though your business didn't make the money you initially thought it would, the time you invested into it was worthwhile. I bet you learn't a lot more useful skills than any uni course could have taught you and you actually received money during the learning process so I think you got a pretty good deal there.

When you do these jobs that you don't like, use it like a learning process to learn from how others run their businesses. You might learn something that gives you an idea of how you could have ran your own businesses more efficiently.

I think of people starting in business as a bit like an apprentice mechanic starting at a garage. The apprentice mechanic would not be expected to know everything about fixing cars on their first day of the job, heck they won't be expected to know much for at least the first year but this doesn't mean that they won't eventually make the grade as being a good mechanic. They won't even be classed as a competent mechanic for the first three years. In this time the mechanic will be making mistakes all the time and taking ages to do certain tasks that he/she hasn't done before. But at the end of the three years they will know a lot more than on the first day when they started.

You have just done your apprenticeship in business and now you can decide if you want to carry that gained knowledge into a new business. You are more likely to succeed with your gained knowledge than you were before.

Go and work for someone else, save up some money and have a think about a new business. Maybe even work part time and run another business part time then that way you get the best of both worlds.



Chris.

 

[cricket1]

Tobae, yes. Bringing my business back to the UK was indeed worth it. I like the UK and because my main product comes from Italy so I needed to be here.

I'm not sure you're on the right forum for answers to your main questions but if it's any help, knowing what you want, having a goal, making a plan within a realistic time frame, doing extensive research and being seriously committed to your aims and ambitions plus having patience and direction all are the key.

You sound like you already know this so I'm guessing finding a direction is your main problem.

For what it's worth, my son is your age. I am sorry for your generation in many ways. You've grown up in a period of inflated and borrowed prosperity and many of you have been targeted by banks and credit card companies teaching you that you money has no value.
All that's suddenly changed and life is looking suddenly very bleak and confusing for many your age.

I hope you find what you're looking for.

 

[GeorgeStrait]

All that's suddenly changed and life is looking suddenly very bleak and confusing for many your age.

It's not all exactly crystal clear from I'm sat either :|

 

[cricket1]

I know, but for the older generation who have been through a few recessions and tricky economies, we've hopefully got a bit more skill at steering our way through them.

Not saying it's not difficult for everyone but I sympathise with a lot of younger people who have learned from a false reality in terms of fiscal management.

 

[Deleted member 106855]

I don't know if this has been asked already but can I ask what it was your business was doing? :| Manufacturing, services, etc

 

[workingnomad]

Did you realise that it takes 2-3 years to establish a business before you can even think of making a profit?

Rubbish. Took me three months.

 

[Team Leith Training]

All i can and will say to this is.

Firstly, if you don't want to hear the answers to the questions, then don't ask in the first place.

Many will remember many moons ago in a previous life when i too tried and tried to build a business. I believed in the concept, and still do in many ways. Now of course i still engage in that line but i have found a speciality (by chance) which for now makes money.
I have a decent length contract for which i gladly use the UKBF as well as my poor long suffering accountant for advise on what to do. Usually what money i can take in any given month!

IMHO true business people not only learn from their mistakes and develop in other areas.
I tend to browse some days if i am not too snowed, or like now at the weekend, when i am offering advise, or asking for it. Eitherway too its a good opportunity to network, which again i have done.
I am also a happily paid up member, for which although no business has come from me upgrading, i have been paid in most other ways.

That said i do agree with the previous post, of knowing when to quit, if its simply a no go. Clearly taking a step back and maybe trying something else to make it work is a good thing to try first.
One thing you need if nothing else in business is a good dose of determination, guts, and a pot load of skills. Being resourceful too when there is little cash in the pocket.
I am sure the young man who posted to start off with may well have taken a hiding in this harsh economic climate, but by the same token, he has developed in many ways through it becoming a stronger, wiser, more confident player.
People like him, like me, like you, are what makes this world the place it is. It is people like us too who will bring about an end to the recession.

But as i say though, the key is knowing when to call time.

Another thing i would add is save as much as you can in the good times, so you can ensure the bad. AND look for other things to invest your money into, branch out so you have other avenues to fall back on if the river of kash flow you drink from dries up.

That is my two bobs worth

 

[After Redundancy]

"it was great fun, and I found it constantly engaging and exciting. Some aspects I was good at and enjoyed more, and other parts I was bad at and didn't enjoy.
"
Have you considered a business partner with the qualities you lacked?

 

[TelesMedia]

What did you graduate in ? Which type of business did you run ?

 

[tobae]

"it was great fun, and I found it constantly engaging and exciting. Some aspects I was good at and enjoyed more, and other parts I was bad at and didn't enjoy.
"
Have you considered a business partner with the qualities you lacked?

I tried to find someone, yes. In fact at the end, before I ditched our clients, I tried to just give the whole business to anyone who wanted to take it on, but no one was interested. Either those interested in the field or simply "business types" whom I know.

What did you graduate in ? Which type of business did you run ?

My degree was in a common "hard science", and the business was in absolutely no way related to it.

 

[KateCB]

"Irregardless, this is a business forum, not one for careers advice. It's perfectly natural for many regular uses here to offer encouragement, advice and opinion to one who seems to be struggling, or who's just down in the dumps over how things are going. They don't expect - nor deserve - to have their well-meaning sentiments rammed back down their throats by arrogant little plonkers like this. "Maybe this will make them think more carefully about what they're actually recommending, and why."

**********************

I think for many of us, this will make us look at posts such as this in the future, form our opinions and not bother answering inane question, musings and what many of us have felt is "a poor me" post from someone who has been quoted by another poster as being honest and speaking his mind, but who clearly cannot take honesty and others speaking their minds without resorting to insults.

 

[MASSEY]

To be honest OP I would suggest that you are not yet sufficiently mature to survive in the world of business or on this forum.

Come on now, i would say the op has shown a good level of maturity. That is a nasty dig. The op has been a bit touchy that is all.