Subj : Maximus on Solaris 10
To   : Mvan Le
From : Ryan de Laplante
Date : Sat Apr 14 2007 10:13 pm

Wow has this thread ever changed. It went from Maximus on Solaris to our 
personal lives heh.  Luckily there is no moderator in this echo. 


 ML> Sounds more like a dilemma to me.

 ML> If you want to start a business, you need to form a business plan. 

 ML> You should be toying with a plan right now. 

I have had many ideas for years and been building up skills on how to operate a 
software company effectively.  I don't have a product idea, and the only niche 
market skill I have would put me in compitition with my current employer.  At 
this time, the only way I can see myself running a software company is 
freelance work.  I have recently met a number of freelance developers.  Some 
years they make more money than I do in 4-5 years!  Other years it is not so 
good.  I think I'm going to stick with my present employer as long as there is 
a job for me.  When I'm done working there, I may try freelance work for 6 
months and see how it goes.  I don't think I can do freelance work while I have 
a full time job, because freelance work is also a full time job. 

 RdL> Are you speaking from experience?

 ML> When I was 10, my parents started a hot bread shop. 
....

Wow, I really can't say that I understand what that is like.  I'm happy to see 
that you have done well for yourself and will hopefully be able to retire 
young. I can relate to your story about being conned out of money for those 
rims... except in my case I was so stupid I cashed a really big check 
(thousands of dollars) when I was in my late teens, his check bounced and he 
dissappeared.  I had to get a lawyer and have him repay me over a period of 
years.  He paid back only a fraction, then stopped. I have no idea where he is 
now.  I am really cautious with my money now. 

Not every business will succeed or pay well, such as your parent's hot bread 
shop or your hot dog stand.  But there are small business owners who do succeed 
and love what they do.  My boss for example.  He used to run a motorcycle 
repair shop when he was younger and was able to fix a certain kind of part that 
all other shops would replace.  People from all over the country were shipping 
their broken part to him for repair, and he did very well.  Later he bought an 
apartment building, and other commercial real estate. He and his brother became 
the largest commercial real estate owners in the town.  He worked other jobs 
such as construction, and eventually had an idea for a software product.  He 
started this company and grew it over the last 10 years.  His idea was a hit 
and is sold internationally. He owns two airplanes, motorcycles, and has done 
very well for himself.  He once told me that he retired at 29, bought a huge 
house on a private island (I think) and lived there for 30 days. He got bored, 
sold it all and went back into business. He must be the type that loves to 
work.

A number of people in my family have started and successfully operate 
businesses.  Grandpa owned a hotel, uncle runs a large textile embroydery shop, 
aunt owns an antiques store, dad is the exclusive north american distributor 
for steam showers from a company in China, etc.. As far as I know they are are 
doing well.

I have seen small businesses from a different point of view.  Those with good 
ideas (that people want), with a plan, and who know how to operate the business 
CAN do well.  I don't expect to start a successful software company without a 
plan. I have been preparing myself for this since I was 12.  Every job I've 
had, every book I've read, every course I've taken, every conference I go to, 
etc... is all to ready myself for the day I'm ready. Who knows, the boss may 
want to retire one day and maybe I'll end up running the place. 


 ML> Me. I open up a trading forum on the web with my 
 ML> browser, find out which stocks are the most talked 
 ML> about in the last 5 hrs and I run after them. 
 ML> http://www.hotcopper.com.au. Research is overrated. 
 ML> Except when trading futures markets, which I typically 
 ML> do well adhering to the insto's advice.

I think you have convinced me to focus my attention on stocks a lot more.  My 
dad is always pushing me to be more active with my investments and I've always 
said that I don't have time to keep on top of the stock market like he does.  
Maybe it's not so time consuming after all. 


Thanks,
Ryan


 

--- Maximus 3.01
 * Origin: The Dog House * Orillia ON Canada * bbs.doghousebbs.com (1:229/1394)

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