Self Employment may be for you!!

2014-04-18T05:32:26-04:00

Looking for a job making you want to reenlist or move to Canada? Start your own company. Already have a company? Share your wealth of knowledge to help our vets and retirees build their futures and fortunes the good ol' fashioned way--with their own two hands.

take the survey give us all some comments and feedback. All those precious resource links if you will please.

Response by SFC A.M. Drake made Apr 19 at 2014 7:00 AM

2014-04-19T07:00:09-04:00

Each veteran much decide what his best for him or her.

Response by PO3 Galon Miller made Apr 19 at 2014 9:25 AM

2014-04-19T09:25:12-04:00

Here are a few considerations:

> There are significant tax benefits to owning your own business, so
even if you go to college and get a full-time job, it is highly recommended that
you own a business on the side.

> Products or services that are bought and sold by Veterans are often
given preference in many supply and distribution channels.

> Self-employed decreases the threat of being discriminated against.

> Statistically, only 1 of 10 small businesses survive past the first
year, so having multiple forms of income will help hedge your downside risk.

> Gaining a sense of accomplishment, as well as providing employment
for others are great motivators for starting your own business.

My experience - started 4 small business, owned 2 with business partners, planning to start another with a buddy, soon. I've enjoyed tremendous tax benefits from decreasing my taxable income from a six-figure, full-time job. Starting your own business is a great way to continue developing leadership skills, as well as continue learning and growing.

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 19 at 2014 12:15 PM

2014-04-19T12:15:08-04:00

Where's my college and self employment option?

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Apr 19 at 2014 12:18 PM

2014-04-19T12:18:43-04:00

We also have 1,000+ RP members who are Self-Employed right now. These could be excellent people to connect with to discuss your ideas. Here is the link.

https://www.rallypoint.com/organizations/444581

Self Employed (Self Employed) | RallyPoint

Join members of Self Employed (Self Employed) on RallyPoint. Subordinate unit of Veterans (Veterans), and adjacent unit to Employers (Employers), Retirement (Retired), Student (Student), Veterans who ...

Response by SGT Aaron Barbee made Apr 19 at 2014 3:06 PM

2014-04-19T15:06:29-04:00

I'm on the fence with this one. While self-employment can be awesome, sometimes being employed by someone else can be too. With the degree I'm working on I would rather be employed by someone until I get the necessary experience to be able to contract my services as a consultant.

Response by SPC Robert Leathers made Apr 19 at 2014 4:42 PM

2014-04-19T16:42:03-04:00

Working for someone else has benefits as does working for yourself. Both have drawbacks, when you own the business you also own the headaches. As I get closer to retirement, I want something that will give me a continued source of income as well as time freedom. If you are interested in seeing how I am accomplishing that you can go to one of my websites at http://www.rleathers.com and perhaps it will spark an interest for you.

http://www.rleathers.com

Response by Cpl Aaron Nelson made Sep 30 at 2014 6:09 PM

2014-09-30T18:09:25-04:00

I've been to college, picked up an AAS. Worked mostly industrial.maintenance and construction for almost 20 years. A few years ago I found out I had two ruptured discs in my c6-c7 vert. I couldn't do same work because of treatment and other related problems.

After trying to figure out a career move, my wife and I just decided to start cleaning houses and business until something came along. That was three years ago. I wish I had done this sooner. It was hard, sure, but we made it work and now we hold a commercial contracts and a few residential as well. It's not glamorous, but it pays the bills, plus some, I have all the time in the world with my family, and if I'm having a bad day I really don't have to sweat it.

I think everybody ought to consider self employment.

Response by Elizabeth Malkin made Oct 1 at 2014 4:28 PM

2014-10-01T16:28:44-04:00

Sgt Daniel V. , thanks for posting this survey and discussion! RallyPoint has noticed a spike in transitioning service members and veterans who are interested in entrepreneurship so we have started a new initiative to try and open up good entrepreneurial opportunities for our members.

RallyPoint now has a new pilot program aimed at helping veterans become franchise business owners. RP has partnered with some of the franchises that are best known for supporting vets and you should check a few of them out here:

Homewatch Caregivers: http://www.rallypoint.com/organizations/homewatch-caregivers--2/overview

ACFN: http://www.rallypoint.com/organizations/acfn-san-jose-ca/overview

We are also working with The Transition Center which is a FREE service for all RP members that helps them to understand what steps to take to be a successful veteran business owner and the ways to get there.

You can find out more about it here: http://www.rallypoint.com/units/the-transition-center-the-transition-center-llc/civilian_company/jobs

Homewatch CareGivers | RallyPoint

Homewatch CareGivers

Response by SPC Marleen Madding made Oct 2 at 2014 1:44 AM

2014-10-02T01:44:26-04:00

My first Post Service Career was with a Fortune 100 company. Great Salary/Bene Package. That was great UNTIL they said that the company was selling to a smaller company - and we have to downsize - I decided I was SMART enough to Open my own BIZ - so I did - Found a Local Franchise - Opened 3 store fronts over 40 employees - Loved it - Love my product - Loved my Customers - LOVED my Employees & the community we supported - what I did not LOVE was the time that I had to dedicate to the store - and all of the Details that came with it... & That business was not Recession-Proof...

5 areas to evaluate when looking into a business/company that you are going to put your Time & Energy into as an Employee - Contractor - Self Employed - Entrepreneur

• The Company: Track record, credibility, longevity & reputation
• Need in the Marketplace: Do people need what you are offering?
• Product: Competition, is it affordable?
• Compensation: Can you do it? Is it worth my time?
• Timing: Are you in front of a trend?

The Economy is Tough! But when it's TOUGH - the Tough get Tougher...
There is a growing Trend - especially here in Washington State - I am seeing so Many Entrepreneurs focusing on their PASSION - It is a Grassroots movement (though it may seem slow - There is a SHIFT happening!)

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 9 at 2014 11:17 PM

2014-10-09T23:17:29-04:00

I would say self employment was the way to go for me. I found that starting up under a network marketing company that is really dedicated to helping you grow was a great choice! Although I know network marketing it isn't for everyone it certainly has been great for me. Unfortunately it has been given a pretty bad rep over the years with companies like Amway, but if you find your right niche with a company that is really vet friendly like the one I am in, the sky truly is the limit!

Response by PFC Hombre Darby made Feb 13 at 2015 7:50 AM

2015-02-13T07:50:46-05:00

I have been self employed for the last six years. It has been a very rewarding struggle. I currently own and operate my own streaming TV network called ADEYS TV (http://www.ADEYS.tv). I look forward to networking with my fellow veterans and soldiers.

Response by SGT Christen Newell made Feb 15 at 2015 12:08 AM

2015-02-15T00:08:53-05:00

I have been self employed since 1995. I have had a great life. I do think that if you just want to make money, look somewhere else. If you do something you love you'll never work a day in your life. Find something you like, and I guarantee you will find others that like it to. Get ahold of me I can help you find out what your good at.