I want to be my own boss...

Jdaniels

Jdaniels

Well-known member
I am going to open my own video prodution facility soon. I plan on providing local video productions (but not limited to, graduations, school plays etc) photo montage, video memories, dups, conversions, freelance stringer, etc. I am either going to invest in a franchise that provides the equipment, marketing, and networking, or get the equipment I need and go it alone. What do ya'll think? I am already getting positive feedback from friends and family and have big dreams and plans for this venture.

Thanks,
JD
 
All I can say is "being your own boss" is little more than replacing a single boss with multiple bosses as your clients now become your new bosses. And, meeting the needs of several clients is not any more liberating than meeting the needs of one. It's actually more demanding having to meet the needs of several.

Think about it.

BTW, There is a video franchise available for $99k here:
http://www.franchiseopportunities.com/Zor_136616/Home_Video_Studio.htm
 
Jdaniels said:
I am going to open my own video prodution facility soon. I plan on providing local video productions (but not limited to, graduations, school plays etc) photo montage, video memories, dups, conversions, freelance stringer, etc. I am either going to invest in a franchise that provides the equipment, marketing, and networking, or get the equipment I need and go it alone. What do ya'll think? I am already getting positive feedback from friends and family and have big dreams and plans for this venture.
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I dunno, J. Just for kicks, I listened to the "Video Franchise"'s CDs that were given out for free at some expo. My guess is that you can do better on your own if you really want to work at it. But I'd be interested in hearing your experiences if you do try 'em.

And I'll agree, being your own boss is not always as pleasant as it sounds, and certainly not stress-free. I'd suggest working your way up to it part time to see if you really have the desire, skills, and business sense to make it before putting large amounts of money into it....
 
Being your own boss is the only way to go, but -- you're never your own boss.

As an employee you typically have one boss.

As an entrepreneur you have a hundred, or a thousand bosses. Every job you work there's a new boss -- whoever's writing the check is the new boss for that job...

:thumbsup:
 
Thanks a ton, guys!

Thanks a ton, guys!

I really appreciate your candor and support. I have had this dream of my own video business since 1994. It's time to step out and do what I truly love.
About having 100 "bosses" compared to one or two, not a problem with me. There can be no bigger jerks in the world than the 10 I deal with at my office. I have always been in the service field for as long as I can remember. I will be providing a service for those customers who cant do what we can do. Methinks I can meet their needs and keep them happy a lot better doing something I love a lot better then meeting the needs of the bosses at my office doing something I hate.

Ullanta(interesting screen name) "I dunno, J. Just for kicks, I listened to the "Video Franchise"'s CDs that were given out for free at some expo. My guess is that you can do better on your own if you really want to work at it. But I'd be interested in hearing your experiences if you do try 'em."
I am going to check out an opportunity in the coming weeks so will keep you posted.

JD:dankk2:
 
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After considerable research and advice...

After considerable research and advice...

I am really looking at going my own way with gear that I will purchase and hanging out my shingle instead of investing over 150k in a franchise.
LLC, chamber of commerce, the whole 9 yards. There are tons of high quality marketing books that I can utilize for my business.

The name of my company is Narrow Road Productions. I suck at art so I need help with a Logo.

Thanks,
JD
 
I can't even fathom not being my own boss; which I have now been for over 3 years.

It is wonderful; the freedom is epic.

Do it and good luck! You'll wear many hats but you'll never be told what to do and when to do it by anyone else (No I am not referring to the client relationship).

Have a solid business plan. Have back up reserves. Have a marketing plan and advertising plan.
 
John_Hudson said:
I can't even fathom not being my own boss; which I have now been for over 3 years.

It is wonderful; the freedom is epic.

Do it and good luck! You'll wear many hats but you'll never be told what to do and when to do it by anyone else (No I am not referring to the client relationship).

Have a solid business plan. Have back up reserves. Have a marketing plan and advertising plan.
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Well put John. I have been self-employed for many years and then I took a full time gig....couldn't do it.

Found i was far happier doing my own thing.

Plus, you run your own time off, and no 2 days are the same;) my 2cents
 
John_Hudson said:
I
Have a solid business plan. Have back up reserves. Have a marketing plan and advertising plan.
Click to expand...

Know any good books that I can get? Im going to Books A MILLION today to drop about 100 bucks on fine reading material.

I have Guerrilla Publicity by Jay Carroll Levinson ( I want to get G' Marketing)
and others.

Thanks for the encouragement.
Hey John, is it ok that I double post the other part of my thread about my logo where the Photoshop Gods can see it?

JD
 
A book I have gotten alot out of is "The Art of the Start" by Guy Kawasaki...it is mainly related to high tech...but has alot of insight.
 
You might want to check out "the Independent Video Producer" by Bob Jacobs. I landed my first big corporate job about 2 months after reading it. Well, skimming it. It offers good insight on writing proposals, and some contracts, and has examples on both large scale and small scale project proposals reprinted in the book. Budgets ranging from 14,000-100,000.

Keep in mind, if starting/owning/operating a profitable business was easy, everyone would do it. You'll have to work twice as hard as everyone else, and any freetime you're not working on something, your losing money. Best of Luck!
 
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