36 replies to this topic

[Randy]

Interesting discussion.

My opinion is that you'll get this sort of negative response many times because of Fear and Jealousy.

People have read the stats know that two-thirds of all new businesses fail within the first few years. So those who have never started their own business are afraid to try it because of fear of failure and the unknown. Those who have tried to start their own business in the past but didn't make it for one of a virtual infinite number of reasons know this stat first hand and are usually afraid to try to start one ever again. So they can become both fearful and jealous to those who have the gumption to give it a whirl.

The vast number of people, based solely on percentages, are afraid to start their own business. Of thsoe who aren't, many more can become jealous of your success, or even your attempt to become successful.

Fear is a great motivator. Especially fear of failure. Jealousy is another very powerful motivator in the human psyche.

IMO, to be a business owner you have to get over the fear of failure and also have the dedication, or sticktuitiveness as I call it, to stay with it and apply what you learn along the way. People who don't have those elements in their personality are going to have a very hard time owning their own business, because nothing is ever perfect the first time around. If they're afraid to try it themselves, or are jealous of your lot in life, this type negativity is the first, and most natural reaction.

[SEO-Richard]

Thanks, DL for the luck!

Anyway, I'm in the fortunate position that my wife's earning, and that setting up with a computer and some knowledge doesn't cost a bomb, and also that at the end of the day I don't want to be a millionaire, just make a living.

But I'm being pushed because it's time to change, time to help out with the finances now that the kids are older .... my wife's struggling in her job, so as always, it's the negatives in life that are the engines of change, otherwise I'd be quite happy to sit down in a field and smell the daisies but since I've found a subject that fascinates me if it takes one or two years to get going who cares, it's going to be fun and enjoyable, not like plumbing, which was ultimately boring ...

Isn't life strange? When I went to school computers hardly existed, never mind the internet!

[OldWelshGuy]

not like plumbing, which was ultimately boring

Yeh well tell that to the XXXXXXX who we have been waiting for since september to fit our hot cold and heating system into the house we are having refurbed.

No first fix, no plasterwork, job on stop, I AM Plumbers are the scum of the earth (mostly) my cousin is a plumber in London and he is making £120,000 a year.

[stoli]

I have found that reactions to my owning/operating my own business differ according to different socio-economic differences.

If I tell someone that is on the lower end of the economic scale (doesnt make a lot of money- unskilled labor) they immediately think that I am loaded and successful just because I work for myself. To them I am "the man" who has it all.

If I tell someone on the other end of the scale- (high paying job-white collar) they immediately feel pity and secretly feel fortunate that they are not in my shoes. These folks understand that owning your own business is high stress and a lot of work and doesn't mean that you make a lot of money.

The reactions also differ according to age. My father and people in his age group cannot understand why I work for myself. Folks in his generation are of the mindset that you go to college, land a job working for a good company, get married, and stay with both for life. Honestly, our relationship has strained a little since I gave up the security of my corporate job a while back. He just is not programed to think that way.

Most of the younger crowd has a positive or indifferent reaction to my owning my own business. To them job hopping and dramatic personal changes are the norm.

Unfortunately, I am 37 years old and am not part of any group listed above. So some days I think like my father and some days I think like a Generation Xer.

Some days I wake up and wonder what the hell am I doing? Why don't I just go out a get a real job and work M-F -8-5 like everyone else?

[Scottie]

You are GenerationX! Baby Boomers end at 1964, GenerationX starts at 1965.

There is definitely a difference in attitude- I also think it depends on the type business you are starting and whether the person understands the potential of that business.

When I say "usability and search engine optimization" to most people, I might as well be speaking Welsh.

[OldWelshGuy]

Siarad Cymraeg Scottie?

[Scottie]

Siarad Cymraeg

:doh:

See? Same look I get when I say "I optimize sites for search engines..." Total lack of comprehension.

[meta]

I think he asked if you speak Welsh.

[OldWelshGuy]

Meta I am impressed

Scottie I get that look all the time when speaking Egnlish to people who Hear in english...

[stoli]

You are GenerationX! Baby Boomers end at 1964, GenerationX starts at 1965.

Sheesh....

You get up.. Read the forum... Formulate what you want to add... Post your reply to an interesting topic and...

POW, BOOM, POP

You get blasted over a technicality!

[Scottie]

Blasted? Heck, that's not even a minor flame.

[Jill]

Now, now, let's keep your petty squabbles out of the forum!

[meta]

No petty squabbles. Stick with big, knock-down, drag-out fights.

But back to - reactions. To me, this ties in with a theme I see in many threads. You start a new business, nobody seems to care. There's thread in here somewhere discussing people who react to a phone call (presumably a sales call from an SEO) by saying that they are busy, please send e-mail. Many of the SEO discussions mention the frustrations that SEOs have with others no understanding the value of or need for SEO.

We all live in our own little worlds, and people won't automatically be excited when they hear your story or get your call. That's why salespeople, marketers, copywriters and all sorts of other "communicators" exist. It's a real challenge to persuade others that what you do, what you can offer them, is important.

[OldWelshGuy]

It's a real challenge to persuade others that what you do, what you can offer them, is important.

And there is but one magic ingredient that makes it all happen, enthusiasm. Enthusiasm is infectious, if you love what you do, then it shows, and your customers will want to listen to you.

Enthusiasm is the communicators best tool.

[stoli]

Now, now, let's keep your petty squabbles out of the forum!

Now, thats no fun at all