1

Hi Spiceworks,

Thinking of starting my own company offering all things IT, from support to installation of servers, PC’s, Phone systems , cctv, Networking etc.

I have 3 years experience working as a techie and was wondering can I make enough money by going at it alone rather than working for a company.

If anyone has started up on their own their advise would be appreciated.

9 Spice ups
2

A-Always

B-Be

C-Closing (actually selling) Always selling, networking. Get to like it if you don’t.

In a nutshell you need to have a pipeline of recurring business to make a decent living

Prior to my current FT job I consulted for 6 years. A client then offered me my current job. You’re on the hook for taxes, heath care etc.

A million other comments are about to come your way. Many saying get a lawyer now to setup an LLC.

2 Spice ups
3

One issue you’ll run into is the hit by a bus scenario, if you die or are not available, who are the customers going to call?

There was a nice post recently talking about it

http://community.spiceworks.com/topic/1118437-company-thinks-i-m-too-small

3 Spice ups
4

Legal and financial protection.

2 Spice ups
5

Working for yourself provides you with a certain ammount of freedoms, but also a lot of hassle.

Obtaining regular work

Getting paid

Cash flow

Public liability insurance

Job over runs

Why not go self employed and sub contract until you get yourself up to speed?

6

I agree with what the others have said - get legal and financial protection and be sure you don’t mind marketing yourself to get more work and new clients. I’d also highly recommend preparing a budget before hand - how much disposable income do you want/need, what costs (taxes, insurance, supplies, etc.) will you have, home much gross income you’ll need to make to pay for all of that. That should give you an idea of how many hours you’ll need to work at given hourly rates in order to make ends meet. Keep in mind you won’t have any paid vacation or sick time working for yourself, and you’ll want some type of financial buffer if things start off slow or you hit any dry spells.

7

Was on my own for a while. It was fun for a while, but definitely not worth the hassles. You get nickled and dimed - and sometimes it’s just too hard to get paid.

IT ain’t what it used to be.

2 Spice ups
8

What were you doing before you got into IT?

1 Spice up
9

Before I was in IT I had my own restaurant which I ran for about 10 years, it was stressful but I enjoyed the challenge and I think I’m trying to find a similar challenge in my current job where by I have to find clients, build up a business and at the same time keep learning about the field I’m in.

The only thing stopping me is the fear of failure and not being able to get recurring business.

1 Spice up
10

I found it was almost too easy to find clients. The word gets out that you understand computers, and people can be desperate for help.

The aspects that aren’t so fun are things like insurance, legal stuff, paperwork, finding help when you need it, and yes, being promised over and over that you’ll get paid…and waiting…sometimes to no avail.

I wasn’t interested in using bill collectors, etc. And jeez, some of the people that won’t pay may be those you’ve worked with for a long time. Things just change when they have to write you a check.

Too bad, too. Earlier in my career, people always expected to pay for work done. Most still do, but I find it’s different now.

All that said, good luck; there are lots of folks that make a good go of it. And it’s certainly a learning experience. And maybe a tax write-off!

1 Spice up
11

If you’re doing onsite work there is no reason to ever have to wait to get paid these days - Square Reader exists. Payment due on completion of work, credit cards accepted.

1 Spice up