Any business owners?

[Hawk]

maybe I should already know this, but I don't, so sue me!

any of you own and operate your own business?

If so, would you care to share what it is and if it's profitable?

It's something I've often thought of doing myself, either a resort type thing or a sports bar/restaurant type thing.

My biggest problem is I have a pretty good job, even though I don't enjoy it at all anymore, but the money, benefits, security etc etc is all really good. I'm chicken to walk away.

[Ja Rhule]

Yes, I take picture of nude self and post em on website. In 2 years I have "0" members. I was gonna go public but my initial offering fall through. Don't do it.

[mmmbeans]

I'm freelance but I don't own a bricks and mortar business.

[Hawk]

two replies = zero helpful information!!!!!

[Darth Biscuit]

I run a small aerial mapping company... we do OK, but the economy has killed us the last two years.

I'm not quite sure what you're asking here?

[Kettle]

I had a side business of making and selling panther related gear. i quit before they sued me.

[Hawk]

me neither I guess!!

just curious if there were any business owners and what kind of variety we might have in the huddle.

[Kitten Diver]

I don't own a company, but I work at a small one that sells/supports software. Great margins in software. High cost for intellectual property and a dvd(or maybe not even that)

If you are doing a restaurant I have heard keep the variety of food needed small to cut down on waste and get cheaper prices.

If you do franchise you will most likely have to start up 2-3 to make the income you do now, but you'll have tax breaks so...

Anything you can get a government grant for is great too. Free money for just a decent(what I hear) business plan..

that's all I got

[Panthro]

Consultants get paid for having an opinion. Get paid for yours....

[Hawk]

thanks Diver and yes Panthro, you are bang on. I guess though at this stage, I want to be doing something new as well

[Happy Panther]

I started my own company 9 months ago and haven't lost money yet although I may next year. Meaning i pay myself a salary.

I provide opinions and nothing tangible.

If you have any questions let me know but I am in a specialized niche market so it may not translate...

[Panthro]

I'm amazed how much consultants get to give their crappy opinion. I know some people analyze company networks, long distance, and data centers and get a % on the efficiencies they help implement. Save a million take home 100k. Lots of waste out there...

[mr beauxjangles]

I co-owned and operated a small business from age 18 - 21. Event promotion, online record store, and physical-location record store. We were profitable but took very minimal salaries and all profits went back into growing the business. It was basically just something to have fun with and learn from while I was young and debaucherous.

I work for a small business now (12 employee consulting firm). I do some consulting work on the side as well, but that's not a huge income stream. Just take things as they come along. Charge a nominal hourly fee. Have considered going out on my own, but like you, have a salary, great benefits, and a fear of being unable to build a sustainable income stream and establish myself at a relatively young age in a very good-old-boy-driven business.

[Hawk]

I give quality opinions on the huddle daily...I should start charging