How many of us own our own business?

[fitzy]

So, i've noticed in several other posts that a lot of us own our own businesses...I'm wondering how many of us there are, what kind of business you run and how this crappy economy has affected you?

I guess this is kind of a survey, but i also thought it'd be interesting to see what people are doing to cope with the current market....maybe we can help each other brainstorm for creative solutions to our collective problems???

 

[GrayDragon]

Quote:
I run my own, and it didn't effect me too much because I diversified. I do home inspections, residential design, remodels, web design, freelance writing, crafting projects and patterns. When the economy was booming, I did a lot of new home design. Now that people aren't buying new homes, I'm doing a lot more remodels and inspections. The web design has gone from a few big projects to a lot of little projects, and the crafting stuff is as it has ever been, done more in trade than sales.

 

[rnoyster]

I own my own. I am a plumbing contractor. Yes, the ecomony has really been giving me a beating the last few months, but it appears that here locally, the work may be picking up a little bit.

 

[Wifezilla]

Hubby and I own a print shop. Half of our customers were real estate related at one time. Needless to say they are gone except for a few. Fortunately we moved to a more visible location and became a Fedex authorized shipper so that has helped make up for the real estate people going away.

 

[Boyd]

I do IT work and network security. Basically, I'm an ethical hacker for hire to the highest bidder.... and the other 364 days a year I clean virus's off end users systems.

 

[Katy]

We are self-employed grain farmers. Farming's always been such an up and down business I don't think it's any different now than it ever has been. Luckily we own all but about 80 acres of what we farm so even if the owners of that ground would decide to sell because of the economy it wouldn't affect us too much. We have a beef cow herd and generally when grain prices are down the cattle market is up and vice versa so that usually helps even it out. Input costs have gotten so high tho our profit margin seems to be shrinking every day.

 

[CTChick]

I think this topic is a GREAT idea! I own a new-age gift shop - I don't sell on-line so please don't think I'm trying to get business but my website is www.talismanct.com for anyone who is interested. I don't consign, pay cash for everything in the shop and try to support local crafters, then Connecticut crafters and after that all US-made products. Nothing from China except feng shui items (which is from China). Everything else is Fair Trade Act, I sell lots of books, candles, incense, rocks/gems. Business had been going well, but October just dropped like a lead balloon - and that was true for everyone in the area, the local hardware store owner right to the deli next door to me (who has been in business for over 17 years in that location). An awful, awful month. Hoping for a good holiday season.

My advice for anyone in business is to start a sign-in book and get email addresses and begin writing/sending a monthly newsletter. Own a food services business? Include recipes, serving tips, new products, holiday ideas -- make sure your patrons know how important they are. Call radio shows - whether you design jewelry, cater, craft, sell real estate, whatever - there is bound to be a talk show you can be a guest on. I have gone on the radio and read tarot on-line (scared to death, but it worked out). People come to Talisman as much for the personal service as the unique items I have. I will get them a cup of coffee, watch their child - whatever. Advertising for me is pointless, I spent thousands my first year ... word of mouth is everything. It is also important for business owners to be involved in their community -- I have four kids, from kindergarten to a junior in high school, all but the youngest plays sports and so everyone "knows" my family - and I make sure they know I care about theirs, too.

I opened in April of 2007 - so far, so good. We are paying the bills and a little extra on the side. Thank goodness Roy is a welder (dirty, dirty work! He comes home looking like a chimney sweeper!) and work has been steady for him.

My biggest problem? Trying to figure out how I can bring a chicken into the shop to keep me company! But did you know there is an old divination technique using chickens and corn meal? You spell out all the letters of the alphabet on the ground using the meal (I would probably switch to layer mash), and watch what letters the chicken pecks at ... and "read" the results.

Maybe I'm reaching but hey, what can I tell you -- I miss my chicks during the day!

Laura

 

[Chook-A-Holic]

I own a contractual hot-shot business consisting of 4 trucks and 6 trailers. Gonna turn it over to the guys who help get the business where it is today in January 2010. I have my plumbing, electrical, and HVAC license and am proficient in these trades. Was in the business years ago until I got burned out from no rest and relaxation. I technically retired Dec. of 04' at 42 yrs old. Now I'm not loaded by no means, however I live pretty comfortable and do about what I want to do.

I feel that some of my friends and neighbors kinda looked down on me for living in a modular instead of being strapped to the hilt with mortgage debt as they struggle to pay their bills. Doesn't bother me though, I'm happy and my home and 2 acres are paid for. By saving over the years, the DW and I were able to take advantage of the housing slump and just bought an authentic log cabin in the mountains setting on 9 acres from the bank. The DW will retire in the next couple of years, then we will be moving. Meantime the cabin is booked up for the next two years for vacation rental.

Marty

 

[Daisygirl]

Does this count?
I sell freerange eggs at a farmers market...along with jewellery, scarves, etc.
My sales have gone up only recently, along with everyone elses...to quote one of my fellow stallholders "people have very short arms, so they can't reach deep enough into their pockets..."

 

[Cetawin]

Well I had retired and been the good military wife....staying home while he went here and there getting shot at.

But I just went into business a bit ago as a marketing consultant and distributor for Boresha International. Organic, fair trade coffees and the world's only patented thermogenic fat burning coffee plus a host of low gylcemic diabetic safe porducts. I love it and love the products.

a link to my site is in my siggy.