It is very easy to get caught up in the scheme to start a business, but it is entirely different to run a business. I have been in business for six years and it is very trying. I am not the super business person, but I will warn you, be very organized, write everything down and build a list of clients. Keep track of all their names, emails, and addresses.
The best book I ever read was by Michael Gerber, Emyth Revisited. It is a good read. I also enjoyed From Good to Great, by Jim Collins.
I applaud you for wanting to start a business, but get as educated as you possibly can. Read those books, they will help far more than any advice I could ever give you.
Jen
I had worked for a large company as a vendor (means working for "temp" service such as Manpower, CTG, Ciber ect..)for 15 years and was surplussed last Dec. It was a good job, pay was good, no complaints. After working there so long I knew the ins and outs, including the stuff I wasn't suppose to know. My department was paying 150k a year for me to the vendor, and the vendor was paying me 70k.
I had the opportunity to work with a semi retired gentleman who had quite a resume, including working for NASA ect. The company contacted him and basically enticed him from retirement, on his terms, because he was one of only a few people who could meet their particular need. To make a log story short, I valued this persons advice, and he always told me I should contract myself out directly to the company. Meaning taking the middleman (temp service) out of the equation by becoming my own one man temp service. Of course I couldn't at the time because my temp service made me sign a contract stating I couldn't take the same job with a different vendor for a certain amount of time, but that is not the case anymore.
He said, start a business, get tax id #s ect.
Get some liability insurance, it's cheap for computer work.
Get yourself approved as a vendor for the company you want to work for.
What do you guys think? Any advice or ideas? Anyone else try this?

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