I have been kicking the idea around for awhile now and I think I am ready to go full time in the biz. I wouldn't actually leave my current day job until after hunting season and until all my gameheads are in. I know what some of you guys are going to say and my current situation is like this:
My current day job is killing me! (ever see office space) I think the guys that wrote that work here! I sit at a desk in a cube no bigger than a closet and stare at a screen 8 hours a day. Until you have actually had a job doing this you don't know what kind of spirit kill it actually is!
I only make about 45k a year at my day gig and after taxes about 36k
I have been working with a few outfitters and that always helps to generate a couple grand and I made almost half of my fulltime job but had to turn away work because I can only work to 3-4 in the morning and weekends so much until I burn myself out. Getting customers isn't a problem but I do realize not every body shoots or catches a trophy game animal every year. My wife makes good money (way more than me) and her job is as gaurenteed as it gonna get. I wavied benefits because I always went through hers. I also know how to do many things and could do something on the side seasonal if need be. I also forgot to mention the retirement thing which means alot (and it should) I will have enough even with my current investments to retire when I'm 60.
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Get busy Living or get busy Dieing. I know someone else on taxinet said this awhile back. But I agree it was one of the best lines in Shaw shank redemption. Awesome movie if you have not watched it. Gees what has taken you this long to pull the trigger?If your wife has a good paying job and it covers the bills. Gees why not. Anything you make is gravy then. And you will be Happy. I would walk into work tomorrow and tell them GOOD bye. Or what ever you want to say, Remember you will be working with the Public so you might want to bite your tongue. LOL I know it was hard for me to be nice when I walked out of my dead end job after 9 years. You have the upper hand on number of people if you have investments and can stop working at 60. Gee that would be nice. Charge Full Price for your work . Dont work for free ,,, Good luck GG
Office space LOL LOL that was a funny Movie .
took the same plunge in march 1996, your situation sounds sooo similar to mine. I'm turning away work now full time.
You are in the perfect situation to do it. If you hate it, you can always get another desk job. Good Luck!
You've answered your own question--good luck in your new life, Enjoy, Aaron H.
...I'm reluctant to encourage anyone to "jump" right in. BUT you sound like you've got everything thought out. As long as your prices are at the top for your area you'll be OK. If you aren't, but think a low price beginning will help build business you could have problems. You didn't address that in your post so I am going to figure you already have taken that into account. It sounds to me like you've got everything in plece to make a go of it. I went through the "office thing" for a short period 30+ years ago, I know what you mean.
I been at my day job as a mechinist running 2 cnc VMC`s back to back for the past 16 years day after day after day after day its getting OLD ,No retirement plan just 3 weeks vacation and a very understanding bose ,and flexable hours,Its cinda hard to walk away at the moment. been a part time taxidermist going into my 5th year and ready to go full time more than likely this comeing season ,im finding it hard to keep up now.Any ways only YOU can answer ,are you ready to go full time.GOOD LUCK & GOD BLESS
Let's hope your breadwinner wife never divorces you and outlives you. Then you can continue to rely on her for financial support throughout your career and retirement. You never know these days with the marriage rate failing so miserably. Besides that - GO FOR IT - but cover your butt. Get your own benefits and stand on your own two feet.