Well it's my first full week out on my own actually doing a real job. Been at it the last three days for 16 hrs a day and put in another 10 today to get the field work done on my first job. Gotta take advantage of my rented equipment. It's so refreshing to have complete control of the job no matter how many problems are encountered during the course of the day. It's also nice to know I'm working hard for myself and not for someone else so they can get all the credit. I may not be busy, I may not get rich, but boy I sure am happy.
Young Buck
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Welcome to the club!
It is great. Wait till you hit the next tax brackets....
Ahhh uncle Sam gets my dough now
Only advice is keep your prices were they should be. I know that it hard when you go out , if you set your self in that low price range it's hard to get out. Not saying you are .. But I know some solo guys doing work for 60 bucks and hour field time . Leaving half on the table.
I went on my own 14 years ago and it's not any easier but rewarding . I can do what I want , when I want . I am semi solo , meaning I keep a helper to do all the physical stuff. Doubles my output . Key tools are Robot and GNSS Rover.
> Well it's my first full week out on my own actually doing a real job. Been at it the last three days for 16 hrs a day and put in another 10 today to get the field work done on my first job. Gotta take advantage of my rented equipment. It's so refreshing to have complete control of the job no matter how many problems are encountered during the course of the day. It's also nice to know I'm working hard for myself and not for someone else so they can get all the credit. I may not be busy, I may not get rich, but boy I sure am happy.
>
> Young Buck
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> Key tools are Robot and GNSS Rover.
:good: :good:
> It is great. Wait till you hit the next tax brackets....
> Ahhh uncle Sam gets my dough now
:-S
True Dat.
Congrats Young Buck
I second that, don't get into the habit of low balling or marketing your services by price. That's a downward spiral that you can't get out of. Walmart can do it because they're selling wigets, you on the other hand are selling your professional time and there's only so much time in a work day. All it takes is patience to maintain your prices.
I've worked for medium firms, and large firms, and huge firms - all by myself is so much better there is no comparison. I've never regretted going solo with high-tech.
Going solo is great, here is the other side
I went solo in '95ish. Got the robot, life was good. Got GPS in 2000. Had some CAD buddies that I just 1099'd. It went on for a great while... until...
...the shyte that happened in '03. Making mega solo bucks for a while was awesome but opps....
....that hernia surgery I needed in March really set me back. Luckily an associate picked up my field work for the 3 months or so it took to heal. Good guy!!!
Oh....then during the middle of deer season (MI) late November, the now healthy soloist decided to break his ankle. Badly. Compound, including 6 screws, a plate, and forever issues. Still there. Still hurts sometimes.
I'd likely still be in MI if it weren't for those couple of misshaps in 2003 that just about busted yours trulys financial arse.
But life is what you make of it. So Grasshopper, just make sure you always have your backside in full check mode before you take that next step. It may bite you back before you even know it does.
Good luck and enjoy the ride....;-)
edit: I will add that during the entire time, and presently, I was single. All though paying child support was included, I never did have any additional income nor live in galpal devices. I was a surveyor and that is what I did. Period, end of story. Still that way now, but the child support is thankfully gone!! And I offer a toast to my first grandson, Calvin, who was born on Mch 1, 2012, the Red Wings winning in June at The Joe. God Bless Lord Stanley!!
Congrats,,, I love it and can't imagine going to backwards. Interesting that Bob Port comment above is negative and yours is so positive. I wish you the best.
Going solo is great, here is the other side
Solo for about 15 years on my own for almost 20.
Some random thoughts:
Taxes is half, be ready.
An Accountant, not a bookkeeper is a good thing.
Seriously, and I mean seriously consider retirement funding. There ain't no matching 401k for the solo guy. You can do it if you get a plan together NOW. I was slack on this and at 50, I have some catching up to do.
Medical insurance. My colchicine, for gout, just went from about $0.10/pill to around $5 each! Was NOT ready for that. I am on my Wife's plan, so not all out of pocket, but still.
Get involved with your State society.
Never take the easy wrong way over the difficult right way.
Be ready for people to not pay you after you bend over backwards to accommodate. I wasn't completely naive when I started out, but this was a shocker. Churches especially seem to fall into this area.
If it ain't in writing, it ain't. Proposal + acceptance = contract. It's easy, do it by email, at least, for every job.
Maintain a high personal standard and do not compromise it for anyone. As sure as hell that's the one time something will pop up and gnaw your ass off.
Dress right. For me it's Columbia PFG shirts (in light blue, thank you) and khaki pants. You CAN look like a pro even when you're up to you ass in kudzu.
Have some backup. Vacation can be tough if a good client has something pop up. I have two guys I share stuff with. We also gang up on jobs sometimes.
Run. Directly. At. Problems. Things are going to happen. Be the one who responds, have a plan to fix whatever happened and you can turn a negative into a positive. They will remember the guy who does that.
Good luck!
Going solo is great, here is the other side
great post JB! I second all that, especially the retirement stuff. I'm still working on that.
Going solo is great, here is the other side
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Pay close attention to what Mr. Griffin said.
This is why you must get some disability insurance and some workers compensation insurance.
Work for a big company and break your ankle? Not great, but not catastrophic.
Work solo and break your ankle? You could die in the woods because you didn't get help or make it out. You can lose your business and find your credit in the toilet. Are you prepared to go with little or no income for 6 months to a year?
The rewards can be significant. Just be sure and manage things the smart way.
Larry P
Going solo is great, here is the other side
Excellent post JB! I especially liked this quote "You CAN look like a pro even when you're up to you ass in kudzu."
Doug
Going solo is great, here is the other side
I will second everything JB presented as being integral portions of the Soloist Bible. :good:
Are you prepared to go with little or no income for 6 months to a year?
Great Point Larry, like most start-ups it's gonna take a while to get into some kind of pay cycle. Even if you get work (at least in my case) it takes a while to get paid, net 30 doesn't exist most guys stretch you out to net 90 or net 120 in the meantime I have to cover my bills. Sometimes this requires robbing Peter to pay Paul.
Ralph