I don't want a 'real' job
November 19, 2009 | 1:40 pm
In response to a recent tweet, I thought I'd take some time and write about why I prefer to work for myself. As I've blogged about in the past, I started this company out of necessity following the loss of my job just after my daughter was born. However, I kind of always knew I wanted to be a freelancer. I just never really grew the pair I needed to make the leap until the choice was right in front of me.
However, after nearly six years of working as a freelancer and now, small business owner, I can honestly say that I hope I never have to go and work for someone again. To me, it means you didn't hustle enough. What most freelancers don't lack is talent. Every freelancer I've ever met is a great designer, writer, developer or illustrator. What most of them aren't though are good business people. They don't know how to sell.
In my second year of business, I lost a major client. My contacts at this company both left for different jobs and no one was brought in to replace them. I lost over 50% of my income in one day. I was scared to death. We could barely afford groceries. In fact, our families helped us with that several times in that period. It lasted almost four months. I started to consider looking for a 'real' job again. Instead of doing that, though, I hit the streets. I attended networking events. I hate traditional networking events with their old boys clubs and non-adventurous marketers. I kept at it though. I wrote proposals. I got over any shyness I had and met new people.
And at the end of that year, my good friend Norrie and I landed a major contract, to redesign the new NSBI site. The work more or less started on Boxing Day of 2006 and continued unabated until today. In 2007, I worked 16-22 hours a day, seven days a week. When I wasn't doing design or production, I was writing proposals. Good work begot more good work and my little company grew. I quadrupled revenues that year, started doing public speaking engagements and the next year I started hiring junior staff to help with production.
And the best part of that period? I got that client I lost back with a new marketing manager. Except that now they are a much smaller percentage of my business which is far less dangerous to the long term health of my company.
So yeah, I get why people don't want to freelance and instead prefer the pay cheque and easy salary of a nine to five. Working for yourself is hard. I wouldn't trade the thrill of winning a big project for anything though. I wouldn't trade having to pay huge taxes for anything. I wouldn't even trade apologizing for the occasional mistake I've made for working for someone else. I'd also say that there is far less stability in working a nine to five because your future isn't controlled by you. Working for yourself, your destiny is self-fulfilling. You build it, you reap the benefits. Everyone who works for someone else could be laid off at any moment for something outside of their control.
The benefits far outweigh the risks. It takes time, but eventually, if you're willing to really hustle, you can make beautiful things happen. There's no way I could provide for my family working for someone else the way I can running Brightwhite. No way at all. Like Gary V says, if it's not happening, you're not hustling hard enough. You need to really want it.
I've met some incredible freelancers of late. The crew working out of the Hub are doing amazing things. They're hustling, building cool applications and really working it.
I wouldn't trade running my own show for any paid position in another company. Even for all the money in the world.
WOW
While I've never actually met you, I do hope to some day. I love the way you write, tweet, blog and everything else you do! Hearing this story about why you do what you do was very inspiring and you deserve a big pat on the back [insert pat on the back here].
Congratulations on your new partnership. What a great mix of exceptional talent!!!
Patti
thanks so much!
Really appreciate the comment, Patti.
Ack! i'm not that old!
Realized that I made a mistake in my comment on this post - i didn't leave my job 25 years ago!
It was 16 years ago.
Must' ve been thinking of high school graduation or something.
Easy salary? Interesting
Easy salary? Interesting choice of words.
Yes.
All jobs are hard (work, by definition should be) but it's always easier to work for someone else than to work for yourself.
the learning...
Interesting post. One thing I would add, you learn more running your own business then you could ever learn in business school. I know first hand, and I went to a great business school :). I work a "real' job now and my learnings from running my own company serve me well everyday.
Catch up soon.
interesting point
The formerly self employed do indeed make great employees as they tend to take more initiative than those who haven't had to eat what they kill before.
One thing though--employers should be wary of people with an entrepreneurial streak. The truly entrepreneurial will never be completely happy working for someone else and will often be working on something else or looking for the next thing.
Nice!
Fabulous post! I think you are one of the biggest "hustlers" (and I mean that in a good way!) I have met professionally. I am hard pressed to think of someone more dedicated and hardworking than you, and you're living proof that freelancing can be one of the most satisfying and rewarding jobs out there. I admire how you were able to take a crappy situation and turn it into something great.
The Music's In You
I think your current situation is not just about your awareness of your desire to work for yourself. You have always been a leader and a person of conviction.
I am looking forward to the next post which I hope looks 6 years into the future after this reflection of 6 years in the past/present.
Good luck!
i don't think i've always been a leader
I certainly didn't feel that way back when we met in 1985. It took years to develop and find myself, just as I know it did for you. You've always been a huge inspiration to me, Ben.
Scares the Crap Out of Me
Jeff, great thoughts.
Pretty much every other day I wake up and think I'm crazy for going the freelance route and start worrying about how I'm going to pull in enough money to pay the bills. Then, pretty much right after that I come across a new project or opportunity and it all looks good again. It's quite the emotional roller coaster, but it always seems to 'sort itself out'.
Well, I guess it never really happens by accident but by keeping the momentum moving: Going to those networking events, meeting new people, and old fashion cold calling. As a freelancer, The Hub (http://www.thehubhalifax.ca) has been an invaluable resource. Not only is it a great place to whole up and get some stuff done for a few hours, but it's full of great people who help keep you energized. It's an intangible element that really makes the place unique, and it's certainly helped my business.
To the other freelancers out there: Invest a couple of hours a week at The Hub, meet some members and you'll find yourself with some new and interesting business opportunities.
re: The Hub
I couldn't agree more about the Hub. Every time I go there I'm blown away by the energy in the place. Tracy and co have done an amazing job.
Sorting itself out...
...Is the scariest thing I've ever seen. It's taken me at least five years to realize that it really does sort itself out. I can't count the number of times I've laid awake at night worrying about where the next piece of work is going to come in, only to wake up to an email with a project to get started on.
As I said, good work, begets more good work. Crazy cycle, really.
Good post
Good insight Jeff. I see benefits of either choice. I just took a full time gig after a couple of years on my own. I loved the work, the bus dev and even the pressure of self employment. What I did miss was being part of something bigger. I love working on products and that's tough to do as an indy.
What I do know is that freelance was waaaay better than a 9-5 that is just OK but a great job is just as fulfilling as being on your own. It's all about the work and the fit.
Fun discussion
Thanks Rob.
I think the trick is that if you want something bigger, you need to build it. That's what I'm trying to do. I don't think Brightwhite will be the next CCL Group. But I do think we're going places that I could never have imagined when I started it.
Given the kind of work you were doing though, that's harder than it is with a small creative agency which lends itself to that kind of structure.
Great post
Thanks for sharing your story, and congratulations on all your hard won success!
Excellent point on the illusion of security that comes with full time work for someone else, sure there are definite perks to being on someone else's employee - but when it comes down to it... your destiny really isn't in your hands!
Do you find that being a small business owner allows you to have a better work life balance and have more time with your kids?
For me - I'm having a baby in a few weeks *gulp* - having a better work/life balance is a huge motivator for going the freelancing route. Curious to hear your thoughts!
My kids
In all honesty, I probably have less family time than my nine to five friends. I'm always working. But, the time that I do have with my kids is precious and I try to make it that way for all of us.
Hmm
If I were the sole breadwinner - going this route at this time would just not be possible, there is no way I could keep up enough billable hours to get by and take care of a newborn!
However, I'm lucky enough to have a partner with a really good stable full-time job which will definitely help in the time + workload department - he's actually taking paternity leave starting this spring (I don't qualify for any mat leave at all) which will allow me to pick things back up part time after a three month hiatus and see how it goes from there!
Even though your hours are crazier than most 9-5'ers, it sounds like your experience has been good for your family so far!
I think so too.
My wife is a teacher, which means she's more or less part of the mafia. This helped immeasurably in the lean times when she was on maternity leave with a good amount of her pay.
Once you go indie, it's hard to go back
You've really captured the "indie" spirit with this post.
I left a "job" and went indie 25 years ago. It's more than a job, it's a lifestyle.
It's risky, scary, and you spend a lot of nights with your eyes peeled to the ceiling worrying yourself sick about contracts, clients, employees and the economy
but...
in return you get the freedom to pursue your creativity, vision and dreams.
What more can you ask for in a job...
Us "indies" need to encourage each other through the tough times and celebrate with one another in good times.
So from one indie to another, congratulations and keep it going.
Thanks Gail!
You rock.
This post is great,
This post is great, Jeff!
Most people are afraid to make the leap to self-employment because of the risk and effort. I have to admit, it's pretty easy to roll out of bed in the morning, show up to work, take directives from someone else, and get handed a paycheck periodically. And when your work day is over, it's over. You aren't thinking about the next day, week, month, etc. It's not your responsibility, not your concern.
It does take a certain type of personality to be successful in running your own business, and there is definitely a learning curve involved. You have to be driven. You have to be disciplined. Self-employment can be unpredictable. It takes planning, preparation, forward thinking, a lot of stamina and a strong stomach. You've always got to be on your toes, ready to swing or take a blow.
Bottom line, if you can hack the lifestyle, the rewards of self-employment far outweigh the risks. Once I made the leap, I knew there was no going back.
sounds like you've pretty
sounds like you've pretty much got this thing dialed rebecca. want a job? ;)
Awesome words
Inspiring post! Freelancing / self-employed is by far the hardest job I have ever loved. I'm back around your 2006 stage, which is about on par with my own timeline. I have no desire to go back to employee status, even if I never end up making more than I could working for someone else. The fact that I love going to work every day beats out any possible 'advantages' to corporate employee, for me at least. I agree though, it's not for everybody. You definitely need a supportive family around you.
Thanks for the words.
Family
I couldn't do any of what I've done if my wife wasn't the most awesome woman on the planet.
Freelance muse
Wonderful post, Jeff. I have hopes in the future to follow in your footsteps. Before I landed my current job it was always something that I'd considered doing eventually. Now, although I'm in a "real" job with the very real insecurities of having that job scooped away because of a downturn in economy (narrowly escaped this summer), it's also a dream job. At some future date, I expect I'll be coming back to this post for inspiration to take that first step into the freelance world though. Thanks!
Couldn't agree more
I'll never work for someone else again, but I'm glad there are people out there who aren't interested in being their own boss. Otherwise, we wouldn't be able to grow our businesses.
Finding a new employee with enough talent to work on their own, yet willing to work for you is like a needle in a haystack, especially in an industry with such a low cost of entry.
Totally
I'm glad I spent some time teaching at NSCAD as it gave me access to great new grads. It's tough bringing on 'green' staff though--there's a lot of learning to be done.
My guys are awesome though. Couldn't do it without them.
Praise for freelancing!
"I wouldn't trade the thrill of winning a big project for anything though."
That one line sums up the greatest feeling about working for yourself.
I've recently put in countless hours writing a proposal, project schedule, payment schedule, and conversing with numerous marketing execs and VPs, all for one single project. The work was hard, tedious, and extremely time consuming but oh so worth it! The feeling of accomplishment and due diligence for myself is what keeps me going through the tough times, and of course the generous support of friends and family without which I would be located in a ditch with my laptop, probably writing emails to myself.
Freelancing is not for someone who wants to work 9-5. It requires early mornings, late lunches (if any at all), and plenty of sleepless nights. When you're working for yourself you do not have the luxury of relying on people to look after your books, take the phone calls, sell your services and products, design, develop, and market. YOU have to do these things all while trying to maintain the rigorous project schedules that you may or may not have made for clients.
Great post Jeff, I really enjoyed reading about how you started and how you've grown over the last few years. It's great inspiration. Hopefully more freelancers will read this and realize that it is completely possible to achieve what they started.
Thanks Josh
One thing I've found to be particularly helpful is to realize what you are or aren't good at. I suck at accounting. So, I've paid for someone else to do that almost since the very beginning. My accountant is fantastic and has helped keep me sane over the years.
Good Post
Nice Post Jeff,
First off, I would like to state that I agree with you. Many, many designers whom I have encountered over the last year or so, myself include, are no particularly good business people. One of the reasons behind that, I believe, is that a lot of us care more about the work we do then the actual money side.
Most designers I have met have the soul of straight up artists. They loose themselves in their work, so it is not surprising that they let the business side slag. This causes massive problems when it comes time to run a business. Still, if you accept that you will never become wealthy doing design but are able to feed yourself and your family, then all is well. Being a freelancer has huge quality of life advantages. I, for one, would loathe to have to go back to a 'real job'.
There is also a second major problem when one is working solo. There is only so much time in the day , even if one is prepared (and I think most of us are) to work 18 hour days. Something always has to give. I personally find that I have no time to answer RFPs, which in turn eliminates the larger, lucrative jobs. Yet hiring someone to do the marketing side of the business is often not an option as it brings with it a large financial risk, a new set of stressors as one is no longer responsible for just oneself , and a host of bureaucratic responsibilities which , to me at least, look daunting. Sub contracting this position might be an option, but one would have to find someone who is not risk adverse, which is not always an easy thing.
On a side note, I would also like to commend you for your work. It's of superb quality and I doubt that you will ever have to worry about getting a 'real job' as my mother still puts it. I also appreciate the fact that both you, as well as Brandon from Norex, have managed to remain very decent, humble chaps despite of your recent successes.
Hopefully, we'll manage to sit down for a beer soon ( Yesterday's timing was a bit unfortunate as my little one insisted on seeing the torch ceremony. I was tantalizingly close to the Foggy G, though)
one last thing...
I do also have to say that you don't need to accept that you can never become wealthy doing design. While I'm certainly not going to be buying a house in the South End of Halifax any time soon, I guarantee you that with a lot of hard work and a good bit of luck, you can make far more money than you ever imagined possible as a designer. You just have to believe it's possible and go for it.
Thanks Frank!
Yes, we definitely need to fit in that beer.
I agree completely that it's tough to fit it all in. In that year when things really took off I was totally sleep deprived and at the breaking point a number of times. Just when it seemed like I was almost toast, something would relent, the clouds would part and I'd pull it off. Not sure how sometimes, but it seems like things always seem to work out.
Great post "What most of
Great post
"What most of them aren't though are good business people. They don't know how to sell."
It is so so true that you have to be able to sell. It holds a lot of people back from starting in the first place, or not being able to succeed.
Wow that was pretty
Wow that was pretty inspirational! You make a great point about being laid off at any moment and how free lancing allows you to take control of your own destiny. I never really looked at it that way before. Great post. Thanks a lot.
Thanks! I needed to hear this today
I am about to set out on my own adventure - build my own company, make a job for myself and I needed to hear that I'm going to have to work hard and hustle - just a reminder that it's worth it in the end. :)
All the best!
Good luck on your journey, Tricia. It's so worth it.
Amen!
Yep.
You wrapped it all up. The trials, the tribulations, the fear and joy. Everyday is entirely different and in some ways I wouldn't know what to do if I wasn't doing it myself.
Once you get the taste of doing things yourself you probably are ruined for life.
Extremely well said.
And as you said, it's planning, hustling, delivering on your word, being task orientated versus hours and wearing every hat possible and wearing it well.
keep on keeping on!
Craig
one thing I totally forgot to add...
was that surrounding yourself with great partners like Spider Video sure helps, eh?
ah
achoo!
and firefly digital
as well, of course. :)
*cough* *cough* yeah!
Very well said and reciprocal.
Lots of great smaller co.s out there and a VERY supportive network of creative professional to get the job(s) done.
We believe in ourselves and others to be successful and thus are doing it.
C....and thx :)
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