How many of us own our own business?

[debilorrah]

Here is sad fact of the economy: Sizzler is re-opening their restaurant that closed a year ago. Over 2900 people showed up to apply. What are the odds of someone getting a job? It's sad around here, especially for people that are young and have little experience.

 

[oldchickenman]

my wife and i own and run a dental lab were the guys behind the secene we make the dentures crowns partials the dentist put in we employ 3 people now. in 2004 we had 18 employes we now have 3 but hey were still here we will wait it out it will get better look history.

 

[Mahonri]

The dental lab we use once employed 10. He's down to 3 plus himself.

 

[fitzy]

Quote:
Honestly, i haven't kept up with the new healthcare laws, so i might be in trouble here.....However, the one nice thing about my situation is that legally i don't have any employees. the way we operate is called booth rental and technically speaking, they pay me rather than me paying them. it keeps them under self employment laws and saves me some headaches....maybe you could change the way you define your business in order to skirt around the new laws....if not, i might be getting a call from my accountant telling me that i will have to get policies for my employees...might be worth checking out.

 

[Sillystunt]

well, my husband and i run some small business on the side. We offer caricatures, face painting & airbrush Tattoo's for private and public events.
( www.sillystuntcustoms.webs.com )It has been slow due to the economy, his new job and hours. We kinda put it on the back burner for now.

I also have my own business ( www.sillysliceofheaven.webs.com ) that offers coops, tractors, chicks, eggs, custom hatching and more. That is doing really well and i have just found an "IN" for cross promoting with a local feed store! The other breeder does RIR's and sells out instantly. He feels i will do the same! SWEET~

I also tatt on the side. Just haven't been motivated!

I have to say, it has been ruff! Duncan had been laid off and his new job is $14,000 less. We are lucky he has his job and we stay positive. I have been out of the job market for 5 years. I chose to raise my kids at home but now want to get back to work. Looks pretty bleak in the Food service management field,URGH. So for now i just focus on our side projects to earn extra money. Totally SUCKS!

And i think we should all put our sites to our business on this thread! I would love to support my fellow BYC members and use their business instead of others!!

 

[ShaggysGirl]

I own a small store called RM Accessories. We sell Belt buckles, jewelry, body jewelry.
I've been in business 19 years here and it has always had its ups and downs but this last year has been just horrible. We are doing between 30 and 50 percent of what we normally do. Michigan has been hit very hard in this recession.
DH is retired so he helps at the store now that saves a little since I don't have to hire anyone... but since he is retired we are adjusting to living on a fixed income...there is no over time when you are retired..lol

 

[CTChick]

Wow. Checking back on this thread after posting just confirms what we all know ... it is bad out there. My shop is in small strip of stores, I am the only one paid up for last year's snow plow $$$ and last month's rent. There is a shoe store, pizza place, deli, used bookstore, tailor/dry cleaner, computer repair shop, consignment shop (housewares/furniture) and hardware store. ALL are down. Hardware store owner and I were talking, he can't believe how bad Oct/Nov have been - typically good months for hardware stores with all the fall clean ups/repairs. My shop is way down too. I guess we are all hoping for a good holiday season?

No relief - I may end up closing and running it out of my garage as a internet business with limited hours for customers. I have read from several sources this is a trend -- businesses moving into homes whenever possible. My email list is huge, customers are loyal and I know I am running a good tight business ... but hey, no one has any money to spend. Credit lines are cut, gone - in the end, we will all benefit (I guess???) but right now it is scary.

Keep posting - this is so interesting.
Laura

 

[Boyd]

Quote:
Laura

I agree 100000000000000000000000000%
I've moved from a brick and morter to a home office for my computer business. Obviously my commercial clients I work on site, as well as a good bulk of my end user clients, but there are times when I have to go out and lock up the big dog, set up another folding table because I have too much work to do it one at a time at clients houses. Also, I've dropped my hourly rate by 20% just so folks can afford to have me come out and do the work. Times are tough out there, but you have to roll with the punches or hang up your hat.

 

[CTChick]

Thanks, Boyd, for the validation. Everything hinges on December's sales. Americans are resourceful and I am eternally grateful to have been raised by grandparents who went through the Depression. I can pinch a penny and squeeze a dime with the best of 'em (dimes and pennies mainly what we have left, anyway).

Let's keep this thread going - can someone "bump" it? I think it's important enough to warrant that.

And I have to say, BYC has been a godsend. Not just for the great chicken info, but for the friends and amazing variety of news/ideas/sharing that goes on here. My husband is an addict, too -- checks it as soon as he cleans up from work.

Laura

 

[bkreugar]

Dh and I have a small horse based home embroidery business. We've been in business since 2003. We have a website, sell on ebay and go to 2 horse shows a month from April- Oct. Business was /is down for the year but since Nov1 we are experiencing our Christmas rush.

Dh works full time as a perishable manager for a grocery store (19 years) and I am a school crossing guard.

For the business dh does all the digitizing and messing around with needed text and helps me make designs I envision. He also does the pictures and shipping.

I do all the emails and sewing.We hope to do the embroidery biz when we retire.We focus on horse designs but can do anything and DH does many custom designs for businesses.