First off, I am writing this article because I am nervous as to whats to come. I am highly optimistic and I am going to follow my goal. Hearing good or bad outcomes are welcome, gives me some more ability to accept it happens and you'll get through it.

Ill keep this short at blunt............


I currently work for a city as IT Network Administrator, doing pretty well for a 24 year old. Decent pay, good benefits, too easy of a job (city employees know this!).
I initially took this job because it would give me the ability to spend time and focus and create all my documentation for my (seperate) company to go big time. My company is a side IT Consulting Firm and I have a major idea to go across the nation, but primarily start here in NJ.

6 months later, im now at the part where im recognizing "im not going to be able to hold both jobs." One is going to demand more time than the other, and both of them fall into the same time frame requirements "9-5" hours. I will soon enough, hire employees but the INITIAL STARTING POINT (NOW) requires me to market and meet many business owners - generally up north (2-4 hours away). It may ONLY work for a while with me getting those business owners to meet me on weekends, but eventually ill come to a dead end and need to be available a lot more than sporatic times through the day.


I'm nervous, im going to have to leave stability in pay and benefits to pursue a goal/dream. Ive poured my soul into this idea with the intention of HUGE success. To me its not a matter of succes though, its just a matter "go for your goal and no matter what you cant lose - because you followed it and not to many people can do this." I don't want to live my life having "what ifs" in it.


Give me some input, stories of yours risks and their outcomes, or just just general feedback guys.

 

hope it works out for you. if it's any help, there will always be jobs in your field if your new venture isn't successful. same can't be said for some other lines of work.

 

without taking risks you will never know.... Not the same scenario I know, but all you are talking about is wondering if its worth taking a risk so Ill tell you a story:

After being discharged from the Air Force, I found myself not knowing what to do... with no school past the HS level I started working, dead end jobs. I was working 2 jobs 75+ hours a week just to make ends meet and pay my bills. My friend started working for a sales company (only commission) and was constantly telling me how I needed to stop slaving away and come work with him. I never had worked a commission job... but after months of him nagging me and me tried of working 7am to 11pm.. I decided to go for it. Now 3 years later I can tell you it was the best thing I ever did was to take the risk to be happier. I make retarded money for my age, especially considering I have no sort of degree... and am now in an industry that will not be going anywhere, so I can stay here for a long time.

(not to sound sappy) If you believe in yourself, you can do anything. Risks are worth taking.... because if you dont take them, you will always wonder "what if".

Hope this inspires you to do what is obvious atleast to me what you want to do. Good luck, and I hope everything works out for you!

 

All start ups are a risk, if you belive in yourself and your product, you'll
make it.

 

I've been a part of starting a number of small businesses--some fail, some succeed... Commit to your idea fully, and if you've really got a unique idea, then you've got a good shot.

 

I can relate to you, since I'm practically the same age and a very similar position. I've spent my youth in developing small businesses. All things considered, I'd say things are going well. However being young and aggressive as we are, we want to make more. Now I've done a lot of research and tried building contacts to find bigger better ventures. Unfortunately time after time, I realize that it's going to have to be one or the other. General rule of thumb is that high risk = high reward. This isn't always true, but generally yes.

Now consider this. The more your giving up, the bigger the risk you're taking. You have a lot of advantages to you right now from what you've shared.

1. You're only 24. As you get older and likely to have more commitments, it's only going to get harder to make these transitions.

2. If you are business minded, as you sound that you are. You should have no problem generating enough business to make more than you make now.

3. As people have said already, jobs for experience qualified people will always be there. (eg. in my case I'd have to give up a healthy income and businesses that I worked very hard to establish...) So you're sitting at a better position in giving up just a job.

4. I've watched many people never get over this hurdle and that's why they have never become more successful and continue to do what they do. At your age, unless you have a family or someone dependent on you, you don't have much to lose in the grand scheme of things. My advise would be to leave work on good terms. Try and do as much research and networking before you quit your job. If it's at all possible to cut hours slowly, then do that.

Go for it! and all the best man!

Oh and one more thing. If you do what you do well, be confident that you will be an asset to any company, even your own.

 

I work for a small business development center, I recommend you find a counselor in your area...

After you initially set yourself up remember that as the owner you
MUST work ON your business and NOT IN your business.

You cannot be the both the Owner and the Technician

I recommend reading Guy Kawasaki's "The Art of the Start"
http://www.amazon.com/Art-Start-Time-Teste...48189956&sr=8-1

and Michael E. Gerber's "E-Myth"
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_b?url=se...=e+myth&x=0&y=0

Remember Establishing a small business is a gamble even you have done all the research. But the greater the risk, the greater the reward...

 

thanks guys. youve given a lot of good insight and def thanks for those articles gate crasher! Will read tonight.

San antonio - im moving to austin soon. my family lives there - well have to meet one day so i have affiliates with s2k people haha.

 

At 24, I'm assuming you aren't married or have any dependants. I say GO FOR IT!!! NOW is the time to take these risks!!

 

Those are not articles they are books...

No prob GL with your startup. Anytime your in the area let me know, i'm always down for a drive and BBQ in the Hill Country with good people.

Check some of the links under "Small Business Information Center." They have a lot of great resources http://sbdcnet.org/