From small business to big business?

[Scanner]

Hey, I wanted to kind of start an open ended kind of thread and get some feedback.

I work 2 jobs right now - one is a small business and the other is "moonlighting". I am in teh midst of a second interview with a big company (household name like Apple or GE - you would have heard of them) to work in a position that requires travel M-F, but off on weekends. It kind of involves educating people on technical aspect of their job so it's "teaching", which I think I would really like, dig, and have experience.

The compensation package would be salary + car + benefits = total compensation to exceed 100K.

That is significantly higher than I make right now.

It's weird though - I must be addicted to being a small business person. I have never been in a position where I would feel so reliant on another person to "take care of me."

It's ironic . . .one of the reasons I got divorced (well, speaking as my ex-wife) was my "allegiance" to the small business and lack of a bonafide opportunity elsewhere for something more stable. My ex-wife constantly complained about me getting a "real job" and there really wasn't much that excited me, both compensation and job satisfaction wise to make me want to switch. Then 9 months post-divorce, this opportunity lands in my lap and then I am involved with someone who says, "Why would you want to be dependent on a company for your future?" She thinks change is bad and I should stay in my small business, let alone the travel away from family.

She almost thinks like me - that having your own business is the ultimate form of stability.

Still, the benefits look pretty good from here and her never having been self-employed, she doesn't know or understand how hard this country is on teh self-employed.

Worst comes to worse, I could always probably pick up per diem work as a licensed CAT scan tech if I am layed off/fired/downsized. The job appears to be "stable" as people don't like to travel.

I don't know - I'm rambling. I'd appreciate some psychological feedback from people who've been both self-employed and an employee and the transition. It's weird to be making it this close and in this economy.

[JoshuaHeckathorn]

I've been in both worlds. While there are certainly some pros that come along with working for "the man", I'd choose running my own business any day. There's just nothing that quite compares to the feeling that you're in control and running the show.

This is a tough choice though. If you would be doing something that you enjoy while making a lot more money in a stable job, it might be worth a try. At least you would get to have the experience, and I'm assuming you could always go back to running your small business at some point in the future. At least for me, the money factor does come into play at a certain point.

[SnoopyCool]

My DH became self-employed out of necessity a few years ago. He recently stated that he desires to never go back to working for someone else again.

[MonkeyMama]

I think it really just comes down to personality.

I've been self-employed, and I largely work with self-employed people. The whole thing doesn't appeal to me in the least. I see a lot of people idealizing self-employment (who haven't actually tried it). But, that's not your situation. You know self-employment!

I think there is an even bigger distinction between big business and small business, and you will be in for a bit of a culture shock. Though I personally really enjoy being an employee, I have primarily only worked for extremely SMALL businesses. Even when I worked at a large international firm, I worked in a department of about 10 people, and I had a great boss who sheltered us from a lot of the big firm crap. I haven't personally worked in a *big business* setting, but I also don't identify with most people's complaints about "working for the man." Seems to me that a lot of those complaints are "big business" issues. (Most employers I worked with 3-10 people, and directly reported to business owner. This cuts out a ton of B.S.).

Anyway, I love being an employee with a steady paycheck, but in a small business/sole proprietor type environment. Many of the same perks, but I don't have to take on all the risk.

[Scanner]

Well, I have worked for a hospital - big business, but only as a per diem employee. I think that's a lot different than investing your "career" into one place. So I do get what you mean by culture shock. I even watch teh employees complain day after day about their jobs. . .I guess when every day IS teh same for the most part, that can get depressing. But even having a business, my days are the same. I guess I have more control though.

That being said, I do think I'll always have the small business "bug" in me, even if it's having a part time internet business or something like that.

You are right - being self-employed is not all it's cracked up to be. This country is very hard on the self-employed. I was kind of hoping at least with healthcare reform I would have been able to buy into Medicare for healthcare ( paying for everything, but just buying into the risk pool ). . .that was even opposed by Conservatives.

I don't know. . .I hate to make business decisions off of politics, but lately, why should I just have my own business and supply vendors and employ people if I can't get the same healthcare that I pay for in my taxes? So, the elderly and disabled get good healthcare but I am stuck with large deductibles and sparse coverage? Luckily I am healthy, but I am middle aged now. I do think that the "Blue Dog Democrats" tried to make the climate better for business people, to encourage entrepreneurship, but just came up short due to politics.

I don't know. . .years ago, I could really buy into the rhetoric of not working for the man. . .but it's rough out there. I guess I grew up somewhere in there and can wrap my head around it now and working for the "da' man."

[MonkeyMama]

Well, don't make any choices based on health insurance.

The health insurance grass is certainly not any greener on the "employed" side of things.

Sure, some people get great benefits. But you don't get any choice a lot of the time, and lord forbid you get laid off or disabled and can't work.

I thought the same as you a few years back. (Small business owners can't get great insurance deals for themselves, or their employees). I've since watched several people completely screwed by the employer insurance system. I've decided our private insurance is expensive, yes, but we have the choice of true quality insurers, and they can't raise the rates 1000% just because I get laid off. Phew! A few years ago my plan was to actually go work for good health insurance benefits (make it a main criteria for a job). Events of recent years have changed my mind 180. Now I just want to be paid enough to afford the private insurance of my choice. IT's the better deal.

[krantcents]

There are benefits of each choice. Early in my career, I worked for a Fortune 500 company in financial roles. I left to join small companies where I could have more impact. I traded income for job satisfaction. There is good and bad of both choices. A lot depends on you and your personality. This position sounds like you would have a lot of freedom. In some ways the large corporation is more stable right now. If I were you I would think about your goals and do yu feel yu would be comfortable in the new position.

[mcfroggin]

You lose a lot of tax benefits when you are employed by someone else. Could you keep your small business part-time with your employed position?

[jpg7n16]

You also save 1/2 of the SE tax...

I like the idea of running my own business.

I also like the idea of getting paid even more to not have to worry about running my own business.

[Gary Barzel]

There are certainly lots of pros and cons to both sides. Working for someone else takes away the responsibility, and the worrying about the survival and growth of your own business. Working for yourself also means that you can work at your own pace, and not have to answer to anyone. If the pay is much greater and it's something that you would enjoy, it might be something of value to you. Perhaps if this works out you can start your own business being a consultant.

[danieldroga]

Why work for someone else when you can be the boss? There are more advantages if you are the one running your business.

[Scanner]

Why work for someone else when you can be the boss? There are more advantages if you are the one running your business.

Been there. Done that. Have the t-shirt.

It ain't all it's cracked up to be, Daniel. It's okay. . .there were advantages. . .I am glad I did it in the long run but I like what Oprah said when she announced - if I am able to retire from business - "15 years seems right." (she did her show for 25 years)

Yes, I may be able to work a couple of Saturdays/month in my old business and probably would for at least year.