To Sell or Not to Sell?

[babushka99]

Hi Folks, I have been perplexed (in a different kind of way) about a thought that comes to mind. I (just like everyone else) started a small e-commerce website. I have a regular 9-5 job. Sales were low, initially, but have built up substantially. Profits are good, work is not so demanding. In short - I have a good business running. Only problem is I have to give it time and effort - which can be a bother at times.

My problem is that I *LOVE* my day job and don't want to leave it. My second problem is I have sort of lost interest in this webstore I have even though its making good money. Should I sell the business off? I know it sounds crazy, but I really have no passion left to work on this site.

I have mulled at times hiring someone to manage it or bring on a partner, but the same problem persists, I've palled my way out of the store - hiring someone to manage it - would mean getting more involved in it?

Any sane (insane) advice would be a big welcome.

FK

[Joop]

You may have lost interest in it for now, but it would be a shame if that interest rekindled later down the line after you'd sold it. Also, it's nice to have a 'back up job' in uncertain times.

If the site can afford it, hire someone to run it for you and then later down the line, you can then decide to sell it off (maybe to the manager) or take over the controls yourself.

It would also be interesting to know what you thought about the future of the site, it would pretty frustrating (an understatement) to realise that you have sold off, the next google/amazon/ebay!

HTH

[babushka99]

Joop,

Thanks for your post. Well it is certainly *not* an Ebay/Amazon or anything like it. Believe it or not the store I have, there are 1000s of like it.

The conflicting part is - my (day) job keeps me happy and I earn very good money through that. I guess I had an idea, implemented it - saw it bloom. Now I want to move to other things.

I did search around for a working partner or as the Brits call it - a Managing Director. Someone who will run it - and perhaps later on might be interested in an equity stake and I could be the silent partner, but that all expanding into more time and effort. Its VERY HARD to use the word "rid" of the store, when it is making me money!