Care to add to my collection?

[erick]

So I've been speaking with some local (and some not-so-local) small business owners and collecting their stories about how they got started. I'd love to get some of yours!

I'm particularly interested in mistakes that have been made, things you wish you'd done differently, and funny or absurd trials and obstacles.

So if you have a story, let 'er rip! (or, if you've already posted one, gimme a link)

 

[wpfay]

Moved to general forum

 

[Bob Doyle]

There was a thread about "why are you a framer?"

 

[RoboFramer]

This was it

Plus lots more gave their stories by way of intro in their own topics - search for 'Intro' or 'Introduction' in thread titles only.

 

[erick]

Thanks guys, I am enjoying your stories thoroughly

However, I don't think I was clear. Bear with me, this is the first time I've tried to solicit this information, en masse, rather in a one on one conversation..

Let me get more specific, I'm not so much looking for how you got into framing, per se, but rather I'm trying to get a sense of the unexpected that occurs when starting a business. (Specifically, a framing business.)

For example, how did your actual sales compare to your pro-forma calculations? (did you even bother to try to predict cash flow?) Did you think you had everything nailed down, only to find your ideas were way off when you got going? Any other unexpected surprises pop up?

So far from the entrepreneurs I've spoken with, the two most damaging obstacles that have hindered their developments have been either overspending in the startup costs due to inadequate planning, and divorce.

Any tales of such unexpected events would be most welcome. In the meantime, I'll be diving into the stories provided in the links.

 

[HannaFate]

You mean like my fecal phantom?

 

[erick]

You mean like my fecal phantom?

That sounds.. messy.

 

[acrompton]

fecal phantom...sounds like an osto comment