Self-employment Support?

Bump!

How's everyone doing?

Nothing much to report here, plugging along with Twin Cities Gluten Free, have raised the readership a bit so that's good, but not making any money with 10 views a day. :D

We are still looking at doing our basement to rent out on AirBNB. We have a pretty good idea of what it will take but it's the doing of it that takes time and $$. Luckily DH has good follow-through on such things.

Hoping to hear some inspiration from the crowd, especially since it's been a few months. Go!

P.S. Join us even if you didn't before.

I have been self employed for about 15 years. I have let things slide a bit lately, but I put in some more hours today. I do need to keep more of a schedule. It was easier when DH worked a regular job and the kids were in school most of the day because then I just worked weekdays like they all did.

Terrible. Enjoying retirement too much to put a lot of time into building the business. At one point, I actually thought I had my first customer, but they flaked out on me and there was something in my gut telling me it wasn't worth pursuing this particular job. Gotta push for this winter, though, so I have a stream of work by spring when everyone starts thinking about houses again. I have decided to split the fine-art side of my business from the residential side; that will require some work in (thinking of and) registering a new name, new Web site, etc. Another winter project....

Umm, that wasn't really inspirational, was it? :|(

Our main business, what my DH has done for 27 years is coming to it's end. We had an offer on our equipment and we went for it. Just in the process of closing everything down by the end of the year.

My product photography for jury images is going o.k. and recently I was asked to do some Sr Photo Shoots. One led to a second client and it's been fun and it's brought a few more inquiries. Most of the kids I'm talking to want edgy/industrial and I'm so glad they aren't asking for the standard railroad track or boots and a sundress in a field.

Business has been slow in my main income stream in October, but it is looking like it will pick up in November again. It gave me some time to have a normal life for a couple of weeks, and also do some business planning. My blog is still not intended to make money, just to keep me in the writing habit, though I am always looking for ideas on how I can change it up to make it useful enough to other people to sell something. Suggestions have been: write an ebook, write a real book, start a community, sell products, etc. Any and all thoughts welcome :D Thanks for resurrecting this Kelli!

Not self-employed as such, but have taken on renting my vacation home as a source of income. So far, so good. I'm using AirBnB and was very nervous when I started, but things have gone smoothly. I'm getting the cleaning routine down. I am booked as much as I would like to be through November. My goal is to make $1000 per month - my expenses are about $500.
DH is self employed (musician) and has been losing some students - not having to turn them away as he used to. He has more gigs, but they aren't paying very well.

Float On - Sorry to hear about the glass blowing - you guys did beautiful work.

So great to hear everyone's updates, even if they aren't all roses . . . to be honest, it makes me feel a bit better. :)

puglogic, you might find this interesting: http://pinchofyum.com/category/makin...om-a-food-blog. I learned a lot from these guys. They are from my hometown, but I do not know them; my mom turned me on to their blog.

FloatOn, what will you guys do to replace the income from the business? Not asking in a doomsday kind of way, just curious.

Gardenarian, I would love to chat more about AirBNB when we are closer to ready . . . so glad it's going well for you.

Steve, why the split? Not super knowledgeable about business filings, but couldn't you just do a DBA or something and keep it simple?

I'm having trouble catching a breath. I know going in to the Holiday season that it's crazy busy till about Dec 2nd, but it always catches me by surprise when I'm in the middle of it.

Maybe next year I'll really remember and start getting started in August. Yeah, didn't work this year... maybe next year.

Whooooo!

Cecilia, forgive me if you've said earlier in the thread but it's been so long - what is your business?

Thanks, Kelli, and congratulations on your new, er, "developments" (in your business and your life) :D