Am preparing to do so myself.

Post #39,733 by mmoffitt 5/23/02 9:56:31 PM 5/23/02 9:57:21 PM Reply	Am preparing to do so myself. Although I am meeting w/an accountant next week to determine if setting up an LLC is better (same protection as a Corp, only less rules). Ashton forgive me. Can you imagine? Me, a biznessman. Doomed to failure, doubtless. But then, maybe I can make a "different kind of business" ;-) Edited by mmoffitt May 23, 2002, 09:57:21 PM EDT Expand All History
Post #39,744 by imric 5/23/02 10:41:06 PM Reply	Different kind of business I have made a point of NOT soaking my clients. My quotes are high, but I don't go over them. I've made sure to come in ahead of time, and under my estimate, where possible (I've failed in this only once in the past 6 months). My clients all seemed VERY happy, I've been told (I know, talk is cheap) by my current client that if they weren't migrating to another platform I'd have a long-term future with them. Some of the things I always hated while working for various software houses were the fictional estimates and timesheets - part of what I count as my 'compensation' is the ability to look myself in the mirror. Don't think I haven't been tempted, though. My current client has 'pigeon' written all over them - and in fact has been burned a couple of times before (tidbits picked up in passing with other employees). I guess I must have a perverse nature - but I never liked the way the places I've worked for did business... It seemed dishonest, even if the 'victims' seemed to expect to be fleeced. grin I'll probably be out of business in a year, if I last that long.... Imric's Tips for Living Paranoia Is a Survival Trait Pessimists are never disappointed - but sometimes, if they are very lucky, they can be pleasantly surprised... Even though everyone is out to get you, it doesn't matter unless you let them win.
Post #39,780 by Ashton 5/24/02 5:50:26 AM Reply	No problemo - you could be an honorable 'businessman' Whereas - Biznessmen are odious defectives of the ilk of Billy n'Bally. And we all know what They're like. Makes the honest ones stand out, though = maybe not so bad an edge in the days of Corporate misbehavior (like my run-in with &^$&#$ AT&T recently). Accentuate your personal responsibility and no.. phone tag Press1 Press2 BS, has gotta be also a big + But lots of things are useful services and can even be a bit of fun (Hell I used to do audio consulting stuff; still mess with test equipment as & when - no house calls though) As someone opined (Andy?) recently though -- be sure you psych out your expected customer base first! Might be good to put on Their hat and see if.. whatcha got would make you salivate.. (VS what else is competing, natch) Hard to manage that 'objective' bit, for most of us. If you haven't done this before.. do tot up the overhead. You get to do the books, decide on supplies, budget time, decide to eat an hour of effort? to estab. a good rapport for future calls, deal with the terminally Unreasonable etc. Lots of those etc.s, I'm afraid. Good luck dealin with John D'Oh ;-) It's gotta beat say, workin fer lawyers? Daily cleansing the II-S server from overnight additions to the code (from 13 yos)? Clippy... Cheers, Ashton
Post #40,249 by mmoffitt 5/28/02 10:59:14 PM Reply	I've done this before. I had 3 partners when I tried it before and sold out to finish my Master's. (They were "biznessmen" in the worst form and I needed the year sabatical that my interest in the bizness gave me to attend school and clear my head). My big fear is that in order to succeed one must not be a "businessman" but a "biznessman". I won't be the latter, hence my premonition of failure. Still, by my measure of "success" it matters not a tinker's damn. Of all people! the professional golfer Nick Price gave me the a perfect definition of success. He has not won the US Open and an interviewer asked, "Will Nick Price need to win the US Open in order for him to consider himself a success?" Nick, (demonstrating far more depth than the usual jock is capable of) laughed and replied, "Success? You know what success is? I'll tell you: when your kids come visit you when you're old because they want to, that's success." I will not measure my "success" by any other means. Because I have 2 daughters; moreover, because of my own relationship w/my parents, I understand and completely agree with this sentiment. bcnu, biznessman Mikem ;-)
Post #39,963 by boxley 5/26/02 10:30:15 AM Reply	Actually be fair work for hrs billed and that does include at the ballgame if it helps your thinking process. Like Imric said, like the guy in the mirror. Play fair and charge what you are worth. Good luck, Bill TAM ARIS QUAM ARMIPOTENS

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