Why Did You Start Your Business

I started my Biz as a benafit replacement system, having worked all my life now 53, and living with my disability from birth.

I was told about 7 years ago by my doctor there is no need to carry on in my work as you have 3 kids and the stress will kill you.

My mobility was becoming painful to. So sat around on benafit for about a year.

Then went down the job centre could not get any work, came home.

Next day set about planing what I stated 5 plus years ago using all the skill I already had but in a way that would work well with my disability.

Still going and hope to be able to carry on as long as my health will let me. (spelling will always be a problem in my posts)

AND You Story is ??

Great question and great answer.

For me business has always been a passion and was something I was always going to do but came a point when the long hours and lack of appreciation in my work got to a point when I wanted out with almost immediate effect! 

18 months on, business is tough ofcourse but going well and we're now a team of 4. Second business about to launch its first product, so hugely exciting times. 

Nothing quite like being your own boss!

Would you employ me? There's your answer.

Lee thank's for the comment you made my day.

LOL and I did. Come on share alittle more have you alway been self employed.

Had made a disastrous decision to leave London and come back to Oxfordshire to work with a friend. 18 months later I was significantly poorer, emotionally ruined and had to reinvent myself. That was in 2007 and by that time the mental illness I'd been aware of since my early 20s was making more of a regular appearance. Although my first foray at running a business (franchise) was another disaster I've made a load of progress since then and obviously got pretty good at networking along the way, hence my current contract with 4N.

Nowadays, self employment gives me the freedom to work when I am "on fire" (Brad's expression), and during these periods I'll do a months work in a day, and duck out when the black clouds come in. Probably as a direct result of the above, I keep the black clouds at bay much more than I used to.

Thanks Martin 

Great Stef, I know there has to be more great stories out there.

Biz Like life is fall of ups and downs, we just hope the ups beat the downs to death.

Martin - I'm going to pop this into the Business section rather than the 4N section. Feels like the right place for it and you should get more response in there.

Fine to much choice where to list.

Dave, well done is it working.

I have always been self emplyed best way to work dont answer to anyone and you get the reward for the effort you put in. take off when i want and pull a siclie when i want lol 

20 succesful years as a Financial advisers enjoying trips to Dubai , LA , Bali and others along the way great fun but got bit bored .

I then put Unleaded into my Diesel car and MagneCap was born - spent half a million building it twice and barterered for lots of things along the way - hence BartaClub being launched to compliment my successful MagneCap venture - add to it a property portfolio and i am having fun helping people on many frontiers !! BUT BartaClub is the really interesting one - here i want to help EVERY single business out there just give me chance to show you want i can do for you http://www.4networking.biz/Forum/ViewTopic/122928?page=1#p933674 Birmingham Offer - REFUND of fees to 4N members 

Good to hear Tony seems you are doing very well.

Just Know you would turn it into a blatant ad.

I worked full time from the age of 16, Even when pregnant with my first 3 kids work to me was very important. I only took 6 weeks of after my 1st, 4 weeks off after the 2nd and then the 3rd i took 2 weeks off (I was a very young mum)

I have 80% of my working life always been the employee which I enjoyed but felt i could never just do my thing. I part owned a Pub with my Mum but it didnt work out. Then ran a decorating business which was great but just didnt full fill my passion for work.

At the age of 33 i changed my whole life. At 36 I became a mum again for the 4th time and was giving the chance of being a stay at home mum, Great 3 months into it I was bored and need something to keep me occupied.

Started making simple chocolates as a hobby and when I found out i was expecting my 5th child decided to start my Chocolate Business.

Its hard work but really rewarding as i get to see my youngest kids grow up and be my own boss.

Sorry that was a bit long.