https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 14 Apr 2026 07:22:37 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-start-their-own-business-how-do-you-like-it-any-opinions-welcome#post-2274598 Thu, 27 Aug 2015 12:35:25 +0000 ms. pug 2274598@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ra: That's great to hear! Our hours are going to start at 9-4 (with 8am-1pm saturdays) to see how it goes. We will also have birthday parties during the off-hours. BTW, we have a decent sized space for retail- I know you said your store is e-commerce, but if you want to wall me your info we are looking for things like this to sell :)</p> <p>@jh524: I have an MBA/ Masters in Finance and my husband has owned his own business previously, so my goal has always been to own my own business. I just didn't have an idea that I was super passionate about. Once I moved to my current town I realized how much the area really craved something like this. My long term goal is to create a really successful model and name and help other moms across the country open up their own (using a license or franchise structure). I realize that many times the up-front work to build a business from the ground up is what intimidates most people (plus not doing this part right leads many businesses to fail). I'm hoping to be able to provide all tools necessary (play area design templates, menu templates, accounting process, waiver, marketing materials, etc) so other Moms can own this type of business and be very successful, no matter their background. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-start-their-own-business-how-do-you-like-it-any-opinions-welcome#post-2274167 Wed, 26 Aug 2015 21:21:19 +0000 jh524 2274167@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ms. pug: I've been thinking how we need one of these in my town! How do you even start looking into it though? I've thought about but where do you start? Thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-start-their-own-business-how-do-you-like-it-any-opinions-welcome#post-2273997 Wed, 26 Aug 2015 16:54:26 +0000 Ra 2273997@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have a toddler clothing company (e-commerce) and love it!</p> <p>Side note: Two moms in my city opened up a Play Cafe a few months ago. They are only open from like 9-3 and have sandwiches, salads, baked goods and a it has been widely successful. We love going there. I think it's an awesome idea! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-start-their-own-business-how-do-you-like-it-any-opinions-welcome#post-2272880 Tue, 25 Aug 2015 14:07:12 +0000 illumina 2272880@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ms. pug: My husband has his own business. I'm not going to lie, it's pretty stressful. For the most part he has been able to commit to working set hours during the day/weekends...but there have been alot of late nights. It is definitely tough, but already it has financially impacted our lives for the better. We keep saying it will get better once he can hire someone to run it day to day...but we're not quite there yet! Good luck to you though, your idea sounds awesome! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-start-their-own-business-how-do-you-like-it-any-opinions-welcome#post-2272872 Tue, 25 Aug 2015 14:01:46 +0000 Mrs.KMM 2272872@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My parents have been self-employed for my entire life (franchise in a retail chain). Just so you know, being self-employed doesn't necessarily mean that you can easily hire a manager and outsource a lot of the work. My dad worked 40 to 50 hours a week for pretty much my entire life (and it was more during sales, holidays, busy seasons, etc.). He did get a lot of flexibility to be able to attend our childhood activities though. </p> <p>They are in their mid-50s now, and are just now looking to semi-retire. I do understand that that is an earlier retirement than many people can afford, but I also know that my parents have been extremely successful in their business. Although they also spent the first few years not making any money. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-start-their-own-business-how-do-you-like-it-any-opinions-welcome#post-2272575 Tue, 25 Aug 2015 10:31:05 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2272575@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ms. pug: Thats great! </p> <p>My uncle is in the cafe/bakery business and I think (just as an outsider with no experience) he could use a lot of management support. Things like process improvement for tracking orders (how many people ordered chicken salad last month or should we take it off the menu) and setting up a menu that has enough variety but not requiring a lot of special ingredients (if serving a taco salad with ground beef, maybe also serve spaghetti or a meatloaf). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-start-their-own-business-how-do-you-like-it-any-opinions-welcome#post-2272569 Tue, 25 Aug 2015 10:23:36 +0000 ms. pug 2272569@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: We aren't talking full-on restaurant, just snacks and sandwiches/ salads, etc. My husband managed a cafe/ restaurant for 5 years, though. He helping with the up-front stuff but is keeping his FT job and we can theoretically live off his salary indefinitely, should this not work out. I have an MBA &amp; Masters in Finance. I've spent years in marketing and consumer research but am outsourcing legal/ accounting/ design. for sure. </p> <p>@blackbird: Great point. I definitely don't want to act like I know how to handle taxes- we will outsource these things! I feel super lucky in that we can live of DH's salary indefinitely if we had to, so I'm not worried about paying myself from the business initially.</p> <p>@Silva: great tips- thank you!!!!! I'm glad its working so well for you!</p> <p>@Truth Bombs: this is a big fear for me. But, I will be able to bring LO to work w/ me so I am hoping for more balanced (I budgeted a part time nanny as part of business expenses). Also, the building is only a mile from home and I commute 40+ min each way now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-start-their-own-business-how-do-you-like-it-any-opinions-welcome#post-2272551 Tue, 25 Aug 2015 10:10:50 +0000 Silva 2272551@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I started a business this spring. I'm a therapist and I opened a private practice, after working at agencies for years.<br /> The beginning was particularly stressful because I had to figure out billing/health insurance companies. I only work two days a week, and when I'm fully booked (12-13 sessions) I make nearly double what I made working 20 hours/week for an agency (after expenses).<br /> That said, it's a little unnerving to be totally on my own, and there are weeks where lots of people cancel and so I end up not making as much. I honestly could not/would not have done it if we didn't have my husband's reliable paycheck and benefits! </p> <p>I was able to transition- I worked for three months at both places, seeing clients one day a week and continuing at my agencyjob three days a week, I then dropped down to just one day a week at the agency. This transition was really comforting because I had to pay for things like rent, advertising, malpractice insurance, etc. before I was really making much income. When I chat with people who are considering a similar move I highly recommend it. Of course it was hard, and involved a lot of work on top of my agency job, but it made it less scary. A friend has saved up three months of income and is just going to quit, knowing she has enough money to cover her until she is more profitable (it can take time to build a case load).</p> <p>I plan to get someone to do my taxes. </p> <p>It's definitely a different business than what you are talking about doing, but I really enjoy what I do and the freedom/flexibility to work for myself. </p> <p>good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-start-their-own-business-how-do-you-like-it-any-opinions-welcome#post-2272519 Tue, 25 Aug 2015 09:54:36 +0000 blackbird 2272519@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My father owned his own business for years...it's how he was able to retire in his 40's. </p> <p>Outsource what you can. Like PP's said, taxes, etc....is not something you want to mess up. And you will probably stress yourself out WAY more by trying to save money by doing EVERYTHING yourself. Seems like most people don't profit off their own businesses for at least 5+ years. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-start-their-own-business-how-do-you-like-it-any-opinions-welcome#post-2272501 Tue, 25 Aug 2015 09:44:30 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2272501@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wow! That is great. </p> <p>What experience do you have in the cafe/restaurant business? I would be worried about knowing all aspects of ownership like accounting, supply, payroll, marketing, taxes, management, pricing, etc. I dont feel I could do all if it well, just parts and pieces </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-start-their-own-business-how-do-you-like-it-any-opinions-welcome#post-2272500 Tue, 25 Aug 2015 09:43:47 +0000 Truth Bombs 2272500@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I transitioned to a role in my company that was similar to having a small business. I had to invest in my practice and compensation was commission based. Ultimately, I decided it wasn't for me. The time committment up front was just not compatible with being in the stage of life I'm in (with a young child at home and one on the way). The eventual flexibility would be great, but that pay off wouldn't come until my children needed me less anyway. The stress of trying to make it work was actually having a negative effect on me and my family and I felt like I was failing at work and at home. I've transitioned back to a more traditional role and it's a better fit for me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-start-their-own-business-how-do-you-like-it-any-opinions-welcome#post-2272494 Tue, 25 Aug 2015 09:38:29 +0000 MOMTOLITTLEB 2272494@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't think I could take on something like that but I think it would be so motivating to be so invested. Like you, I love my steady paycheck and free weekends but hate the time away from my little guy M-F. I'd love to do something more flexible. Good luck! I'm excited to see your progress. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-start-their-own-business-how-do-you-like-it-any-opinions-welcome#post-2272460 Tue, 25 Aug 2015 09:10:22 +0000 ms. pug 2272460@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If any of you saw my last post, I'm in the final stages of leaving my job and opening a child friendly "cafe&amp;play" near my home. I'm getting total anxiety about quitting, though! I love my steady paycheck, and that weekends are free (with the exception of on-call since I work in IT). </p> <p>Everyone who is self-employed has been saying the same thing: It's tough in the beginning and you have to completely commit. But, if it's successful, it's so worth it down the line when you can hire a manager and cut back your hours as an owner. I really hate spending 50+ hours away from LO each week, and can't see myself being happy long-term working this job (though I love it). </p> <p>Opinions? Reactions? What advice do you have? Was this your experience? </p>