Move To A Full-time Ecommerce Job?

[olimits7]

Hi,

I was just wondering how many made the move to running your ecommerce site full-time and leaving your old job behind?

I'm definitely not at that level yet, but I'm just wondering how many people made that transition so far.

I would like to be able to make this move one day and be supported financially by my ecommerce site, but the thought of making that jump is a scary one!

No more company vested 401K, health benefits, job security, etc!

Thank you,

olimits7

[dpd1]

I did... I never intended to, but it just kind of happened by default. The industry I was in kept getting worse each year. Eventually the biz was keeping me busy all the time and I realized I didn't have time for the job anymore, even if work did come in. So one day I just woke up and realized I hadn't done my job in over a year, which was more than fine with me. So that was that. No big party or anything. Wish there was, because I always dreamed of having a party at the beach and throwing my pager in the ocean. But pagers were gone by then anyway. So kind of anti climatic, as are most things in life. But I didn't really have anything to lose at that point. No perks, paid vacation, benefits... So I never had any of that to begin with, so didn't really have it to lose. As they say, desperation is a great motivator. But the bad part was that it took me about 8 years to get to that point. Of course I'm dense, so your mileage may vary. Ironically, I work harder than ever now, which I could do without. But at least I don't get up with a stomachache everyday like I use to.

[olimits7]

That's great to hear...congrats!

I think if I eventually move to full-time; I will probably work harder than ever too.

Even though the ecommerce site can be a pain at times, and dealing with customers isn't fun. I still love the idea of being my own boss. I love knowing the more I put in to the website the more of return I get back.

Instead of my current full-time job; the more I work the more money I make for the CEO. Who by the way cut everyone's salary by 4.4%; which annoys me even more!

olimits7

[Digmen1]

Instead of my current full-time job; the more I work the more money I make for the CEO. Who by the way cut everyone's salary by 4.4%; which annoys me even more!

And I suppose he added a zero to the end of his !

[edited by: lorax at 12:39 pm (utc) on Aug. 13, 2009]
[edit reason] fixed quotation [/edit]

[olimits7]

I'm sure he did, and he still collects his quarterly bonus...the good life! lol...

[HRoth]

I started this biz when I had another one supporting me, but I was getting to really hate that one. It took me three years to get this biz to the point where I could finally close up the old one. I well remember the last conversation I had with a potential client of the old biz and saying I could not do any work for them, that I was closing. That was a happy, happy day. I didn't have any bennies with my previous business either, and I actually make much less money now. But that is just fine with me. THIS biz does not drive me as crazy as the old one did.

It is scary to be on your own--I don't think that fear ever goes away--and if you screw up, there is no one to blame but yourself. But it is also exhilarating and it can be a really good way to come to know your own strengths and weaknesses and to work on the latter.

[ponyboy96]

I am dreaming of the day when I can do my own thing full time. I really envy you guys that can.

[trinorthlighting]

I quit my job years ago and jumped right into it. I starved for about 6 months but now I am feasting and still growing. It was one of the best things I ever did.

[pbradish]

When I started my first E commerce site I'd been working Help-desk IT for a major corporation in the area and absolutely hated it. The people were and still are great friends but the actual job was terrible and underpaid... certainly not what I went to college for.

I ended up doing both IT and my website for a couple of months. It was a hectic time but kept me busy. I remember having to use my IT work breaks & lunch in my car sitting on my cell phone talking with manufacturers and such. I tried to separate the two jobs as much as possible but eventually started working on the site from work. That's when I knew it was time to let the help-desk job go and focus on the internet business full time.

I had a good situation because I was 21 or 22 at the time. I didn't really have the financial baggage that older folks might have (beyond rent), so it wasn't nearly as risky IMO. The next morning I woke up and handed my 2 week notice to the corporate world.

Like Trinorthlighting said, it was one of the best things I ever did. I'd say it was also one of the happiest moments of my life as well - next to getting married of course.