I've found that when people find out that I want to go into business for myself, I get two polar reactions (brrr) from different people.

1. That's crazy! It's much harder than you think, you'll never make it I/my friend tried to do that and failed.
2. Well it's about time Jon! You can totally do that. You need to do that. I can't believe you haven't already!

Response #1 only comes from people who don't know me. Whether by personal experience or the experience of a friend of family member who has failed, they know it's not a cake-walk. (What is a cake-walk? Literally. What is it?) Alternatively, perhaps because they or others they know thought that going into business on one's own is about turning a quick buck. Or maybe they just assume that's what I'm after.

The good news is that everyone who knows me even semi-well responds with #2, spurring me on. I figure that means a lot, because these are the people who I know would tell me not to do it if they didn't really think I should.

Now I'm trying to figure out the transition: I'm currently working 2 jobs totalling 60 hours each week, and working on the side. How do I transition from this to doing business on my own? I'm looking for a good flexible part time job with decent pay to give me flex time working independantly.

Any suggestions?

As I read about starting a business I find plenty of references to the sacrifices required to go into business:

1. Place your business as a priority above your family.
2. Be ready and willing to max out your credit cards and take out loans.
3. Work 7 days a week, 16 hours each day.

These are things that I won't be doing. I'm working long hours, but I will:

1. Place my family above my business.
2. Make balanced financial decisions, attempting to not go into debt at all.
3. Keep 1 day every week of no productive work. Everyone needs a Sabbath.

Am I asking too much? Is it even possible to successfully move from working full time to being fully self-employed and make the decisions I have?

Stay tuned, I'll keep you updated

My new business is under development. I'm undecided as to the name of the company, right now I'm still leaning toward

Name: Unhindered Technologies (works with the Blub below... what do you think?)

Blurb: Allowing small businesses and non-profits to bypass the hurdles blocking technological advancement... primarily focusing on websites.

Business Idea: Small businesses and non profits, often hindered by limited budgets tend to go one of two routes for websites:

1. The nephew solution

You got your nephew, a volunteer, or a student to do your website. They may have charged too much to start with, but even if they didn't, they've disappeared now, and only they have access to your website. Even if you do have access, you're afraid to touch it because you're afraid you'll break it.

2. The Attack of the Clone solution

You discovered that there are companies out there that give websites away for next to free and you can edit the content from your home computer. You realize soon after your site is online, you've got the same website as hundreds or thousands of other businesses or groups.

There must be a better way. You've worked hard to create a culture and environment that you work in. It's part of who you are, and how you present yourself. In the world of technology today, websites are often your audience's first impression of you. You've got to make it count.

At the same time, you need a solution that gives you control, without risking "breaking" the design, in the event that you don't have time to reach the web developer, or you just don't want to have to pay to have your website updated.

That's what I am providing for small businesses, youth groups, and churches - Professional development, easy maintenance.

The journey to starting a service company is a rough one, and I'll be blogging on this more as I move forward.

This is the third major snow fall we've had in as many weeks.

Fourth day of work I've missed this winter because of the snow, the ice and the road conditions.

Third week we've gone without having our street plowed.