Self Employed

Nanny

May - August 2019 • Kingwood, TX

What I liked

I love working with children, so being a nanny allows me to experience how kids function every day.

What I wish was different

I wish being a nanny was more consistent with the hours.

Advice

Do not be afraid to discipline kids when they are acting up, but always no matter what make sure you leave them with a smile on everyone's faces.

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Computer Technician

March 2019 • Los Angeles, CA

What I liked

This was a personal venture of mine that has been lots of fun to do buying parts and putting them together to make a gaming pc. I would sell them using different platforms to meet my customers.

What I wish was different

I wish I had started sooner! I think most people should really take the time to think about what they love and see if they can turn it into a small business with little risk and what I've come up with involves little to no risk.

Advice

Definitely start doing something now be it anything, apply for that job, that internship, come up with a game plan and definitely apply for things early or start something early. Any experience is experience whether you fail or succeed employers are looking for proactive people to add to their teams.

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Pressure washer

May - July 2019 • Philadelphia, PA

What I liked

I enjoyed the experience of learning how to acquire, quote and bill for jobs, maintain relationships with customers to receive referrals and return work. I enjoyed the satisfying pressure washing work and creating various marketing campaigns I utilized to acquire work.

What I wish was different

I wish I had delegated more of the pressure washing work so that I had more time to market more, and price more jobs.

Advice

Pressure-washing is a highly rewarding and somewhat straight foreword way for college students to make money during a summer in an entrepreneurial way.

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Portrait Artist

May 2019 • Midland, TX

What I liked

I liked getting to run my own business, choose my marketing channels, using my creativity, and selecting my own hours.

What I wish was different

I wish that I had not underpriced myself at the beginning or wasted hours doing favors for "free advertising," but I am glad that I got to learn this lesson in a safe environment.

Advice

To others who hope to run their own sole proprietorship, keep a detailed Excel spreadsheet about all of your expenses and revenues as well as all the dates and notes about each customer you served. Schedule out all of the major business decisions on your calendar to meet your goals, such as "design website by July 20th"

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Bookkeeper

January 2019 • Salisbury, NC

What I liked

I enjoy the diversity of the clients’ business and the complexities and challenges each client faces.

What I wish was different

I started my own business, so I suppose having more mentoring would be nice. However, I am finding that now.

Advice

Counsel. It’s hard to go it alone, having others that you can depend on for advice and counsel is vital.

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Building Carpenter

June 2019 • Grand Rapids, MI

What I liked

Working outside and building is a nice change of pace.

What I wish was different

Less rain

Advice

If you decide to be self employed do your homework and make sure you are licensed for you particular work.

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Owner/Operator

August 2018 • Chico, CA

What I liked

I really enjoy the flexibility while going to school, and I like the more personal nature of the relationships I can build with my clients. It's a warm/professional feel rather than a rushed/customer service feel.

What I wish was different

The area is really impacted by low-price massage parlors. As a certified massage therapist it's difficult having so much up front cost for my education, as well as the continuing cost of licensing, insurance, continuing ed, etc. and not being able to charge the full amount I could in an area where there are more licensed professionals. Most states have mandatory licensing laws for therapists, unfortunately California does not, and it's difficult to educate the public about the difference between a masseuse and a certified therapist.

Advice

Know what you're getting into before you start a business. The flexibility comes after you're established. For the first few years though you're going to put in an outrageous amount of hours with very little pay. Find something you love and it will be worth it. Also, educate yourself about running a business. It's a shame to say, but many people who love what they do start a business and end up failing simply because they haven't developed the skills needed to manage and operate a practice.

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Landscaping

May - August 2019 • Provo, UT

What I liked

Only took 4 hours of my day for 5 days a week.

What I wish was different

Maybe finding a different job

Advice

Drink lots of water, stay hydrated.

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Licensed Massage Therapist

April 2019 • Grand Junction, CO

What I liked

Working for myself.

What I wish was different

I wish I had a business partner.

Advice

Don't give up on your dreams.

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Electrician

May - August 2019 • Burton, OH

What I liked

Decide my own hours. Great skills in other fields of construction can be learned if you are willing.

What I wish was different

More custom jobs. Designing electrical layouts is half the fun.

Advice

Get hands on skills early in life.

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Nanny

May 2019 • Riverside, CA

What I liked

Making my own schedules and being able to watch babies!

What I wish was different

Nothing

Advice

Babysitting is awesome !

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Nanny

May - August 2019 • Simi Valley, CA

What I liked

The freedom to spend lots of time outdoors and plan my own activities

What I wish was different

Had better activities planned in advance

Advice

Nannying is a great opportunity to learn about yourself and help other.

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Art instructor

May - August 2019 • Danville, CA

What I liked

I loved being able to meet so many new friends! I also enjoyed doing something that gave me experience in my field of interest. I loved setting my own hours and still having tons of time to enjoy my family and friends!

What I wish was different

I wish I had more confidence initially. It wasn’t until I could see what a difference I was making that I gained confidence. I wish I would have just gone for it and didn’t hold back at all for fear of failure.

Advice

You can make money AND have fun! Even on days you don’t feel up to it, just put a smile on your face and have gratitude in your heart. Have fun and don’t take it TOO seriously. That will just stress you out. Be your genuine, authentic self and you will have such better connections with people and far greater fulfillment.

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Ranch hand

April - August 2019 • Elizabeth, CO

What I liked

Being able to fix things on the fly and being outside everyday

What I wish was different

I wish I worked with more animals and cooler temperatures at times

Advice

This spreads your smarts on machinery, crop, and animals. As well as meeting a lot of great ranchers in the area

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House Painter

May - August 2019 • Wilton, CT

What I liked

What I wish was different

Advice

Take it slow, rushing takes longer in the end

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House Cleaner

October 2014 • Lynchburg, VA

What I liked

The pay

What I wish was different

Ease of tasks

Advice

Always be self employed for cleaning houses if you can

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Wedding Photographer

April 2019 • Provo, UT

What I liked

I loved connecting with new people and learning about their experiences and trying to portray that through images.

What I wish was different

I wish I had had help/a better plan with social media.

Advice

It is very beneficial to make a work schedule and stick to it. It is very easy to work random and sporadic hours as a freelancer and that is hard on other aspects of life.

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