Anyone Run Their Own Business?

[VioletButterfly]

I'm thinking of something in the middle of the road here so bear with me. I don't know what type of work you do, but have you considered working for organizations where you can work from home? This ranges from all type of work such as a virtual assistant, receptionist, medical/dental billing, graphic art, programming, etc... I believe there is a website names Sologig, though I haven't been out there in a while. Or, I looked into a company that provides transcription services for various industries. It is called Verbatim and has a good reputation. Just some thoughts. I hope you find what "works" for you (no pun intended, lol). Best of luck. VB

 

[Abstract]

@EveHarrington I hope you are finding some clarity and find something that suits your circumstances. You have a good collection of ideas and people here! Totally agree about the eggs and baskets! It gives a certain flexibility that being employed doesn't give. It's not often a one time mess up equals loosing all situation, It's great you can choose to avoid problematic people. That's still something I am learning to do,

@scout86 I wasn't saying your behaviour was eccentric of course! ;) Just mine! But I'm glad for you that eccentric is useful in your industry! I wish I could say the same. I'm a bit paranoidly private so can;t say too much but I too have to show up for meetings and in truth I do most of the time, When I don't it's really bad and looks terrible. But I am improving a lot as my symptoms lessen.

Unfortunately I've just had news I'm being vat audited. And I will admit that although I'm 100% honest my record keeping slipped badly the last few years when I was struggling so much. :( Not going to have much time to be on here for a bit methinks. Hating myself and trying to contain it as it's not going to help. Hope I'm not threadjacking Eve and it still feels on topic ish.

 

[scout86]

Good luck @Abstract! Twice I've gone several years without filling income tax because it seemed too hard and I just kept putting it off. It worked out ok in the end. (Good accountant) I hope your situation isn't as bad as you fear! And, "eccentric" is one of the nicer things people can call it. LOL

 

[LisawithPTSD]

@EveHarrington I once worked at a place that tacked on an invisible "annoyance fee"...

I charge a PITA fee (pain in the ass). Not sure its ethical but its necessary.

I work for myself. I have been for 18 years. I have to--I can't work in an office anymore as my symptoms are too frequent and severe. I highly recommend it for anyone with PTSD. You will have to make sure you have boundaries—what you will take, your response time, the hours you will work, stopping when you are too sick to work, know how to close the office door, etc.

 

[Abstract]

Hoping Eve will forgive me for saying more. And tell me if I'm irking her.

@scout86 Thank you!
I totally understand that mindset. I'm really glad your accountant managed to fix things for you. :) And I hope it gets easier.
I'm not a happy bunny at all. I knew I was disorganised but on looking at things closer it is way worse than I thought. I eventually asked a friend who was an accountant to speak to me. Shall see if can start my own thread and stop hijacking! Not my usual MO.
Own businesses! The wonders and the horrors! :-/

 

[Rumors]

Self employed here.... Have more than one business. The funny thing is that my employees get more time off than I do. We have a place at the beach and I never get there bc of work.... Crazy.

 

[EveHarrington]

I worry if I'll be able to make enough money, but I'll never know if I don't try.

At least I'm not freaking out about it, surprisingly.

Actually I'm really surprised that I'm not having anxiety episodes over all of this.

 

[Rumors]

I think if you have chosen a line of work that is a proven bread winner, the rest is hard work and resiliency. My money is on you!!! If it doesn't work out you can always drop back and do something different!

 

[recoveringfromptsd]

I ran my own business several times because I could not function well enough to be employed. In fact I worked up to the very day I got my SSDI, in my case the ALJ ruled I could work but was too disabled to stay employed. The law students at Georgetown did my case, and did a good job. If you read my ruling it makes me look like an unsalvageable basket case with every negative behavior you could think off. It's ironic that Sheppard Pratt had me for a month and found only BI-POLAR and C-PTSD, when back then I have been given pretty much the whole array of DX's at one time or another.

@EveHarrington Have you considered applying for Social Security Disability.

 

[whiteraven]

Late coming to this thread, but very much appreciate it as I've been giving this some thought. I just can't manage working in an office anymore. My symptoms are too severe and I've gotten to the point where I just cannot tolerate being around all the b*llsh*t anymore.

I've thought about doing this work on a part-time freelance basis from home while still working at my current job (since I really have no financial cushion) and setting up a business at the same time. My biggest worry is not being able to make enough money to support myself, but I've also considered reducing my work hours eventually. That would be much better than working full time!

Wondering @EveHarrington, if you ever moved forward with your plans?

 

[ParalyzedMind]

I run my own business and will be quitting all work from tomorrow. I cannot any more go on. I don't know what will happen, I just know that I am totally devastated by this.

At the moment, I am just going to work 110% to get my life back, or at least try stabilizing myself so I don't get worse.

If I had been working for others, I would have quit long time ago.

 

[Freida]

Funny that I ran into this thread. I've just been put on 3 months medical leave by my T, which is luckily covered under FMLA, but my hubby has been after me to look into doing consulting and quitting my day job. I'm afraid that I won't have the energy to try to run a business from home if I don't have the energy to go to work each day. It's encouraging to see how you have all done it - in spite of the challenges - and made it work.

Maybe he's on to something....