what was your first business?

[pico]

anyone here started a small business? what was your first one and how long did it last?

how many times did it took for you to start your first successful one?

[I.R.B]

None for me, but since you started this thread im guessing you had/have one?

[capitalist pig]

General Contractor, still in business after 25 years.

later

[AgainstAllOdds]

An ebay business. I was big time for a while.

[RogueJuror]

tried to go legit, 1 year it lasted, never went in the black

[pico]

tried to go legit, 1 year it lasted, never went in the black

very hard to go legit. even some white business has lots of gray areas.

[Mudcat]

I started a Creative Enterprises business in the early 90's. I was trying to get organized and sell my songwriting and literary creations.

Without getting into the gruesome details, it did not succeed. I got about 15 songs published around North America - which was somewhat exciting - but there was never any big commercial breakthrough.

Business-wise, all I can say is it was good I also had a real job at the time. I had some fun and learned quite a bit but financially, it was never good for much more than tax deductions.




As for the question of how long it lasted, that is hard to say. I run my current sports betting business under the same name so in a way, it finally succeeded and still lives on.

But as far as its original intention, I plugged away for 3-4 years but I never got even close to the point where I could consider leaving the regular workforce and be self-employed.


So realistically, I succeeded on the second attempt.

[flyingillini]

1st one was in the music industry... Started it in 96 to 03 strong.. .Now I run group homes for adults with disabilities... it was a long hard struggle, lots and lots of loop holes, paperwork that was hard to understand.. lots of lawyers etc etc.... non stop headaches... once I got it going and the funding started to come in from the state and private funding from some of the families... now it is like a dream come true.... life couldn't be any better... but it is a lot of work and I constantly have to look for good quality people to hire with experience that are looking to make a nice living..

[RogueScholar]

My first business was computer sales and service in my hometown, and that only lasted 2 years. Freakin' tough business to make a living at, but I was also very rough around the edges as a businessman. Now I've been in pharmaceutical manufacturing for 5 years and someone would have to threaten to pull out my toenails with pliers to get me to abandon it. I refuse to deal with anything but cash now.

[accuscoresucks]

lawn care

handed out 5,000 flyers,advertised in the local coupon brochure sent out every 2 weeks,after a week phone was off the hook with bizz

[mmike032]

Finish carpenter, started my own business 1 1/2 yrs ago but been doing it for 12 yrs.
Still trying to build up enough clientele to stay busy. Had a great first yr but so far this yr has been hard due to the housing industry and the economy.

[pico]

has anyone here started an apartment rental/house rental business?

[pavyracer]

Lemonade stand at age 7 selling lemonade for 25c a cup. It lasted till we run out of lemons.