Self-Employment
Thoughts on courage and personal choice21 total reviews
Comment from judiverse
This is quite a motivational piece. You state the risks that come with being self-employed. You have an interesting description of what the job situation was like in the '70s and how people had to negotiate for a raise. For women, getting a raise seemed almost impossible. When you became self-employed, you had to get your office set up, and you discuss that very clearly. I thought the information about proceeding just as if you were going to work in a downtown office was good, the way you established regular hours and groomed yourself as if ready to meet with a client. You have a great section about how you benefited from being your own boss-being able to work when away from home and taking extended vacations. Sounds like you made a smart move, SpiritualEcho. judiverse
reply by the author on 20-Jul-2012
  |
This is quite a motivational piece. You state the risks that come with being self-employed. You have an interesting description of what the job situation was like in the '70s and how people had to negotiate for a raise. For women, getting a raise seemed almost impossible. When you became self-employed, you had to get your office set up, and you discuss that very clearly. I thought the information about proceeding just as if you were going to work in a downtown office was good, the way you established regular hours and groomed yourself as if ready to meet with a client. You have a great section about how you benefited from being your own boss-being able to work when away from home and taking extended vacations. Sounds like you made a smart move, SpiritualEcho. judiverse
Comment Written 20-Jul-2012
reply by the author on 20-Jul-2012
-
If it's on your mind to do the same understand weighing against the risk is the potential to earn much more than working for any corporation.
-
I can see this wouldn't be the right choice for everyone, but you made it work for you. judi
Comment from Carole Rosa
Ingrid, Loved it!! Toilet paper it is! This is a story written in a serious vain, but ends with a humorous punch line. I consider this to be an excellent story about self employment, as I was almost always self-employed for my entire life. I've had a few positions in my life that only enhanced my desire to be self employed!! Thank you for the pleasant read. Carole
reply by the author on 20-Jul-2012
 |
Ingrid, Loved it!! Toilet paper it is! This is a story written in a serious vain, but ends with a humorous punch line. I consider this to be an excellent story about self employment, as I was almost always self-employed for my entire life. I've had a few positions in my life that only enhanced my desire to be self employed!! Thank you for the pleasant read. Carole
Comment Written 20-Jul-2012
reply by the author on 20-Jul-2012
-
Thank you for the elusive gold plus sign. As a self-employed person I'm sure you can relate to the self-doubts, the hills and the valleys.
Comment from humpwhistle
This is an interesting and illuminating treatise, Ingrid.
I like your selling extremes--if I can't sell gold, I'll sell toilet paper. The sad part is, even toilet paper can be substituted. I know, we won't dwell on that.
All in one piece you have shown your business acumen and your considerable writing skills.
Good work.
Peace, Lee
reply by the author on 20-Jul-2012
|
This is an interesting and illuminating treatise, Ingrid.
I like your selling extremes--if I can't sell gold, I'll sell toilet paper. The sad part is, even toilet paper can be substituted. I know, we won't dwell on that.
All in one piece you have shown your business acumen and your considerable writing skills.
Good work.
Peace, Lee
Comment Written 20-Jul-2012
reply by the author on 20-Jul-2012
-
Thanks, a reflection in light of a brutal reality of watching accounts find cheaper, more acommodating International suppliers.
Comment from Sasha
I read this after returning from the store to buy, yup, you got it, toilet paper. Great essay and kept my interest from beginning to end. I admire your determination. I remember applying for a job and being asked if I every planned to get pregnant. The question was common back then but supposedly cannot be asked now. I guess I fixated on the difference between how men were treated compared to women. Great write. I enjoyed this one immensely.
reply by the author on 20-Jul-2012
|
I read this after returning from the store to buy, yup, you got it, toilet paper. Great essay and kept my interest from beginning to end. I admire your determination. I remember applying for a job and being asked if I every planned to get pregnant. The question was common back then but supposedly cannot be asked now. I guess I fixated on the difference between how men were treated compared to women. Great write. I enjoyed this one immensely.
Comment Written 20-Jul-2012
reply by the author on 20-Jul-2012
-
We lived through the same era. I worked for a time at the bank and applied for an employee loan. My preferred rate was 9% and the men on staf, who were in the minority paid 6%. Perfectly legal in those days.
-
When my husband and I applied for a loan to buy a house my salary was not allowed to be considered as income despite at the time I made three times as much as he did. Ah, the joy of the glorious 70's.
Comment from forestport12
My friend has a maintenance supply business and sell toilet paper all the time. I sell a service and have thought of these last twenty years as being on a wing and a prayer, but feeling the wind and that swirl in the gut can be exhilarating. I've watched all the so called safe union jobs come and go over the years. Now they are all vanquished. What is left is each individual who like you mention decides I have self-worth and I will make something of myself. You know you had me in this writ all the way. If you ever did write the novel that is in all of us, I would love to read about diamonds, maybe someone finds a big one and you show all the hands it passes through and maybe there is blood on it too. You no doubt will have some criticism from the left for your stance on unions, but hey, we haven't lived on this site until we've been kicked around. I liked the story and it means much to me. Stan
reply by the author on 20-Jul-2012
|
My friend has a maintenance supply business and sell toilet paper all the time. I sell a service and have thought of these last twenty years as being on a wing and a prayer, but feeling the wind and that swirl in the gut can be exhilarating. I've watched all the so called safe union jobs come and go over the years. Now they are all vanquished. What is left is each individual who like you mention decides I have self-worth and I will make something of myself. You know you had me in this writ all the way. If you ever did write the novel that is in all of us, I would love to read about diamonds, maybe someone finds a big one and you show all the hands it passes through and maybe there is blood on it too. You no doubt will have some criticism from the left for your stance on unions, but hey, we haven't lived on this site until we've been kicked around. I liked the story and it means much to me. Stan
Comment Written 20-Jul-2012
reply by the author on 20-Jul-2012
-
As it should, Stan. You did work and jobs that no one else would consider reasonable labour. You cleaned up dirt and shit and through it all you had dignity and honour in your work. In between you wrote a novel or two. It is small-minded people who think it's easy defending your own integrity and battling with your physical and spiritual self to be the kind of person we can be proud of, unmindful of the arrogance of people who have never stepped on the edge and NEVER got their hands dirty.
Comment from Realist101
A six for outstanding narrative, and for bravery. GOOD job Ingrid. How I envy you, your intuition and smarts. Even tho it's been a difficult path, I think you've done well, and made the right decisions. Enjoy this, Ingrid. You are YOUR own person...at least for the most part. I wish I were just ten years younger. Oh well. I'd still be stupid. xoxo. Susan
reply by the author on 20-Jul-2012
|
A six for outstanding narrative, and for bravery. GOOD job Ingrid. How I envy you, your intuition and smarts. Even tho it's been a difficult path, I think you've done well, and made the right decisions. Enjoy this, Ingrid. You are YOUR own person...at least for the most part. I wish I were just ten years younger. Oh well. I'd still be stupid. xoxo. Susan
Comment Written 20-Jul-2012
reply by the author on 20-Jul-2012
-
So do I wish I was younger...and I'm older than you...lol. Thanks for yellow star. It's never too late for a decision. I'm in the middle of one right now. Think about if, if nothing changes, it will always be as it is today.
-
I am. I am...and a letter ASAP. SO sorry. Let's laugh at the ones who make us unhappy? I try, but usually fail...:)) xoxo. Suse
Comment from Helvidius
I love it! I never thought of writing this way on this site. It seems almost like a blog posting. You gave me a lot of great ideas.
What is really bad is that in many states here in the States, an employer has to give no reason for termination. I have been fired many times and had absolutely no idea why. Right now I am looking for a job, but also looking for opportunities to be my own boss.
Thank you for broadening my writing horizons.
Mar
reply by the author on 20-Jul-2012
|
I love it! I never thought of writing this way on this site. It seems almost like a blog posting. You gave me a lot of great ideas.
What is really bad is that in many states here in the States, an employer has to give no reason for termination. I have been fired many times and had absolutely no idea why. Right now I am looking for a job, but also looking for opportunities to be my own boss.
Thank you for broadening my writing horizons.
Mar
Comment Written 20-Jul-2012
reply by the author on 20-Jul-2012
-
There is a non-fiction contest sponsered by the site that looks for non-fiction essays. Try your hand at it, there's no entry fee.
Comment from joseyphina
Interesting piece. Made me see things in a totally different perspective. Very practical and objective. The sentence construction is good and the theme is enlightening. Well done.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
reply by the author on 20-Jul-2012
 |
Interesting piece. Made me see things in a totally different perspective. Very practical and objective. The sentence construction is good and the theme is enlightening. Well done.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 20-Jul-2012
reply by the author on 20-Jul-2012
-
And yet you think it's average.Well thank you for the time you spent reading my essay.
Comment from amada
The title of your work called my attention. I was employed for many years, and unemployed as well,maternity leaved, etc. etc. Your comments on starting a business are very sensible and I admire your determination to success. A true inspiration.
reply by the author on 20-Jul-2012
|
The title of your work called my attention. I was employed for many years, and unemployed as well,maternity leaved, etc. etc. Your comments on starting a business are very sensible and I admire your determination to success. A true inspiration.
Comment Written 20-Jul-2012
reply by the author on 20-Jul-2012
-
I love watching Dragon's Den and seeing the new ideas that surface from ordinary folks and go on to great success.
Comment from N.K. Wagner
I laughed at your toilet paper reference, Ingrid. As circumstance would have it, it's on my shopping list. I guess there ARE some things one can't easily do without. Imagine the commission... :D Nancy
reply by the author on 20-Jul-2012
|
I laughed at your toilet paper reference, Ingrid. As circumstance would have it, it's on my shopping list. I guess there ARE some things one can't easily do without. Imagine the commission... :D Nancy
Comment Written 20-Jul-2012
reply by the author on 20-Jul-2012
-
Recession proff, darling. You likely won't even check the price, just toss it into your cart.
