rossH - 11:54 pm on Jun 13, 2003 (gmt 0)

Is there a point of critical mass that web design/development firms eventually reach where there are enough referals, and enough referals from those referals where there's more work than they can handle?

that's what I meant to say earlier, but it was late

there is a critical mass that's exactly the way I think of it - over time there's acquisition and there's natural attrition, you have to manage that, finesse that, over the years to keep your livelihood balanced

no need to quit your day job yet, finesse it down to part time over time, then go contract with them, keep them as a small client, that's what I did. Take your time, don't go out on a limb, build some reserves, set monetary protocols and time (working hours) standrards for yourself

then notice how you flout those rules, and the price for breaking them.

okay, only buy one book, the e-myth, the myth of the entrepreneur - says most people are entrepreneurs just long enough to get a foothold in business, but all they wanted really was a job without a boss, and then they get it, and guess what no vacation.

you *have* to be a business person in your thinking. You *have* know at least what counts for wisdom in the growth and management of business.

imho, if you're just an artisan without a boss, sooner or later you'll let at least one client down, and that's not good for several reasons.