Sunday, November 7, 2010

Self Fulfillment

I've been my own boss for almost close to a year now and I must say it was the wisest decision I ever made in my entire lifetime. But at that time I wasn't really too sure of my decision to come out on my own.

I've been working for people for almost my entire life and while I can say it was okay, in the end it didn't really justify, remuneration wise, for the amount of effort and dedication I put into my work. I've always been one to give my all for any establishment I work for. Wifey would say that sometimes I give way too much, much more than is expected of me.

There came a time in my life when I was constantly thinking of going out on my own, starting up my own business, being my own boss. I am afterall a person not without the expertise and skills needed for my profession. I have my network of contacts and I'd be doing exactly what I've been doing all along with the exception that everything I earned would go to me.

But I didn't have the courage to do it. I do have a family and kids to support and going out on your own can be very dicey. What if I don't succeed? What if I screw things up? What if I can't collect payments? I couldn't handle that kind of uncertainty and responsibility. Yes, working for someone is oftentimes unfulfilling but at least at the end of the month, you'd be certain of a paycheck.

So it went on like that for years, with the thoughts of being my own boss never far off from my mind. Then came a day when things in the last place I worked in didn't turn out well and I left to look for another job. But at my age and even with my experience, jobs were not easy to come by. I can't even remember the amount of rèsumès I sent out with only two calling even calling me back for an interview, which was pretty unsuccessful I must admit. Though I had the experience they said age wasn't on my side.

That was when, with the complete trust and support for wifey, I decided to venture out on my own. Both of us knew it was a risk to start my own business cos we had two perpetually hungry boys to feed and if things didn't work out, we'd be in deep trouble. But we got a company registered and I initially ran my business from home.

With gods help and a heck of a lot of hard work, things started picking up. I obtained three clients, made more money than I ever did working for people but most importantly I was happy. Now at least I knew everything I threw into the company would be worthwhile and appreciated. I mean if I didn't appreciate my own effort, who else would ... LOL!

Then a little over three months later, I went even further and joined into a business partnership with an friend. Suffice to say it's been 7 months now and business wise we're doing pretty decent. The work keeps on coming in daily and while it's nothing but hard work, it is fulfilling for both of us knowing that whatever we put in to the company comes back to us in full.

But it really is hard to believe that I (albeit with a partner) now have my own business premise, my own staff (we've finally solved our recent staffing problems) and our own printing machines. In fact business has been pretty decent that we've just got ourselves an additional printing machine to cope with the never ending work that we're getting, which is a good sign really :D

To me, it's all still like a dream. I've always wanted to have my own business with my own staff and now finally achieving it is still really unbelievable. I'm so afraid I'll wake up suddenly and this will all be just a dream or something. But it is good to know that while I still do work pretty hard and sometimes late hours, I'm not slogging it out for some unappreciative boss who will at the end of the day just pay me my meager wage. What I do now is entirely for me and my family and most importantly I am happy with what I'm doing.

My partner and me has this dream that one day we will grow so successful that we can afford to hire more people to do our work and we can finally sit back, let the company run on its own and just enjoy life. I for one intend to make that dream come true, the sooner the better :D

Now before I go and do some looking around for blomus mailboxes, stainless steel mailboxes and modern mailboxes, being the shameless person that I am (LOL!) I simply cannot end this post without a little bit of advertising for my company. If you ever have the need for any ink-jet printing work for buntings, banners, posters, backdrops, vehicle wraps, stickers or even t-shirts using heat transfer technology, in fact anything at all that can be printed, then do drop me an email I'll be more than happy to accommodate you :D
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22 comments:

  1. Glad that your business turn out well.I guess you just need a little nudge before you started thinking about being your own boss.

    Your wife also supprots you a lot during the early part, right? :)

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  2. Nick, I am so happy for you and so proud of you. You took a really big chance and it's definitely paid off. I know ONE DAY you will be able to sit back and enjoy all of the fruits of your labor!

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  3. Hard work always pays off in the end. I am glad you took the dive and always listen to wifey. She's a smart cookie :)

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  4. Urmmm... your office got signboard or not? I'll go look for it again the next round :)

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  5. am so proud of u my child!will keep u in mind when i need to print :P but i am a nasty customer u know :P

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  6. Lina - Yes, sometimes we all need a little nudge :D

    Wifey is still as supportive of me as always and she's my drive to succeed :D

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  7. Meleah - Thank you :D And thank you even more for your confidence in me.

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  8. Anny - Hard work never killed anyone, at least not that I've heard ... hehehe ...

    Yes, she is a smart one and basically my strength in all I do :D

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  9. Anny - LOL! No signboard but got loads of signs where it's located ...

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  10. Xin - LOL! Nasty customers is nothing new to me. All my customers are already nasty ... LOL!

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  11. Apalaaa opis takdo signboard. How will i find it to go and give you sudden boo!

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  12. you are such an open person
    I marvel at your sincerity

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  13. Well done you. You deserve the success with all the hard work you have put in.
    They say nothing ventured is nothing gained, and I am pleased to hear you have ventured and gained.
    I hope all your further dreams come true.

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  14. Anny - Ada what, you just have to look closely for the clue as to exactly where my office is ... hehehe ...

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  15. The World According To Me - Thank you :D

    I have to agree, if yo don't take risks, you'll never know if it would be worthwhile or not :D

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  16. I think it's great what you're doing. At least you're happier and motivated than before, which is hard to get, even with a 5 figure salary.

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  17. Hey Nick...wow, I have been gone from blogging almost a year and look what you have done!!

    Wow, good for you. This is just fantastic!!

    Happy weekend,
    Jackie:-)

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  18. Sriyany - I'm way happier than I've been back when I was working for people :D

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  19. Shinade - Hey, it's been a long time since I've seen you around these parts :D Good to see back in the blogging sphere :D

    A great weekend to you too.

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  20. Good on you Nick! I've always think that people who dare to venture on its own are really the bravest people. The one that dares to fail but even when he fell, never stop climbing.

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  21. Carol - Thanks :D I wasn't really too sure I could pull this off in the beginning but I also didn't want to end up working for people all my life.

    I'm still not sure if this will be a big success but I know as long as I keep working at it I don't have to worry too much :D

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