j***@gmail.com
2007-03-07 15:30:30 UTC
Hello fellow business men and women.
I am facing a delima as a person in business which, of course, will
directly affect my future in everyway. I am asking for advice on the
subject. I have weighed out pros and cons...they are equal, what a
surprise. This question may be a personal question though, shall I
start this business now, or wait? It is a question about me, as a
parent, so, maybe some of you wouldn't consider this a business
question, but I can't seem to think of anyone better to ask this
question to, other than people in business, business OWNERS,
particularly, parents as business owners.
I am 36, I am a single mother of 3 teenage boys since 1993 (they are
18,16, and 15). Single mother in every sense of the word, their dad
sees them 6 times/year.
I have been a dancer (a REAL dancer, ballet, modern, etc) for 32
years, was a professional dancer on and off for 10 years, and have
been a dance teacher and choreographer in the midwest for 18 years. I
attained my real estate license approximately 1 year ago, haven't done
very well yet, but I am changing my focus to commercial because I
think I'll do better at it (I know many business owners and business
people from selling group insurance benefits for 3 years prior to
attaining my real estate license.) I have some residential listings
and will continue to some residential real estate. I DONT think I have
given real estate a fair chance, I have NOT worked it as hard as I
could and believe the reason is because I don't really love it. I
adore the freedom, I really like the money...when I make it. But, I
have been thinking about and PLANNING for the last 2 months (almost
have that business plan completed) to start my own dance studio. A
LONG time friend and fellow dance teacher, (a dancer I have known
since I was 10 years old) approached me and wants to partner with me
to start a dance studio. WE would be an awesome team, although I have
quickly realized, after writing the plan entirley on my own because
something comes up and she doesn't respond, or call, or something
comes up where she can't get together. BUT, I feel it is what I am
supposed to do, dance is WHO I am. When I read the plan, I get
excited, it looks great...BUT is it worth it? I know, now, that having
a 50% partner is NOT the best choice, I think I have a solution to
that obstacle, IF I move forward.
The money looks pretty good after the 1st 4-5 months, at least steady,
but it isn't THE driving force to start a studio. At this point, I
don't have the money for the market research to do any national
averages for the plan. I would HAVE to attain a grant and loans to
initially get started this time, I have no capitol at all. I am broke
and made little money last year, so, maybe I could POSSIBLY get a
grant based on the hardship situation, I don't know what else I can
do, my credit sucks. I started my own studio years ago (back in 1999),
I had no money then either. I found a perfect lease situation (1
year), I had a little money for walls (made 3 small studio rooms),
cheap laminate flooring, used stereos, and had to subscribe to a "1
cent/month music service," (remember those?) just to get music to
teach with. I put one tiny little ad in the paper prior to opening. I
had 100 students sign up the 1st weekend, cash flowed immdeiately, I
only needed 35 students to make the lease payment. I LOVED it, but the
boys were small (11, 9, and 8). I let the wrong teacher come in who
poisoned my studio, within 2 weeks, I lost 40 kids, I was going
through a 2nd divorce, going through babysitters like water and I
couldn't handle it anymore. I shut down after one year.
I have taught about every evening of the week for the majority of my
sons lives w/ the exception of the last 4 years because I thought it
was an important time to be at home in the evenings with the boys, so,
I only teach 1 night per week now. I have been made bad choices in
men, subsequently affecting my kids. 1) Business is ANOTHER marriage
(I've been married 3x). 2) Dance studios mostly operate at night (last
class usually ends between 9:30-10:00), therefore, taking the last 3-4
years I have left to be here with and for the boys. 3) The boys LOVE
the idea, they think it is what I am supposed to do, it seems like a
natural decision. 4) The boys want to work there and help out. 5) They
think they will be able to recruit a lot of kids from their high
school. 6) I don't know how to raise capitol, how to attain the start
up costs. 7) Cash will flow, there is no doubt, almost immediately. 8)
I SEE so many people struggling in business even after 10,20,and 50
years...from real estate to insurance, to even surgery centers: the
headache of payroll, bills, unhappy clients, law suits, 12 and 16 hour
days, staff issues. 9) I would have artistic freedom 10) I would not
be free anymore; every night, every weekend 11) Life is beautiful
because it is short, too short, of course. Motherhood is too short
too, we only have so much time to influece our children and prepare
them for adulthood. As a parent, do we move forward and show our
children that you have to GO GET WHAT YOU WANT? Or as parents, do we
continue to make sacrifices for ourselves and stick to the most
important job...BEING A PARENT.
I think I can work out the kinks regarding the start up costs, if I
decide to move forward.
Again, this may not be a business question. Please do not respond if
you don't consider it a business question. But if you are a parent,
own your business, have a passion for something,
and, of course, have an opinion, I would appreciate your advice.
Thank you so much for reading this.
~Julie
I am facing a delima as a person in business which, of course, will
directly affect my future in everyway. I am asking for advice on the
subject. I have weighed out pros and cons...they are equal, what a
surprise. This question may be a personal question though, shall I
start this business now, or wait? It is a question about me, as a
parent, so, maybe some of you wouldn't consider this a business
question, but I can't seem to think of anyone better to ask this
question to, other than people in business, business OWNERS,
particularly, parents as business owners.
I am 36, I am a single mother of 3 teenage boys since 1993 (they are
18,16, and 15). Single mother in every sense of the word, their dad
sees them 6 times/year.
I have been a dancer (a REAL dancer, ballet, modern, etc) for 32
years, was a professional dancer on and off for 10 years, and have
been a dance teacher and choreographer in the midwest for 18 years. I
attained my real estate license approximately 1 year ago, haven't done
very well yet, but I am changing my focus to commercial because I
think I'll do better at it (I know many business owners and business
people from selling group insurance benefits for 3 years prior to
attaining my real estate license.) I have some residential listings
and will continue to some residential real estate. I DONT think I have
given real estate a fair chance, I have NOT worked it as hard as I
could and believe the reason is because I don't really love it. I
adore the freedom, I really like the money...when I make it. But, I
have been thinking about and PLANNING for the last 2 months (almost
have that business plan completed) to start my own dance studio. A
LONG time friend and fellow dance teacher, (a dancer I have known
since I was 10 years old) approached me and wants to partner with me
to start a dance studio. WE would be an awesome team, although I have
quickly realized, after writing the plan entirley on my own because
something comes up and she doesn't respond, or call, or something
comes up where she can't get together. BUT, I feel it is what I am
supposed to do, dance is WHO I am. When I read the plan, I get
excited, it looks great...BUT is it worth it? I know, now, that having
a 50% partner is NOT the best choice, I think I have a solution to
that obstacle, IF I move forward.
The money looks pretty good after the 1st 4-5 months, at least steady,
but it isn't THE driving force to start a studio. At this point, I
don't have the money for the market research to do any national
averages for the plan. I would HAVE to attain a grant and loans to
initially get started this time, I have no capitol at all. I am broke
and made little money last year, so, maybe I could POSSIBLY get a
grant based on the hardship situation, I don't know what else I can
do, my credit sucks. I started my own studio years ago (back in 1999),
I had no money then either. I found a perfect lease situation (1
year), I had a little money for walls (made 3 small studio rooms),
cheap laminate flooring, used stereos, and had to subscribe to a "1
cent/month music service," (remember those?) just to get music to
teach with. I put one tiny little ad in the paper prior to opening. I
had 100 students sign up the 1st weekend, cash flowed immdeiately, I
only needed 35 students to make the lease payment. I LOVED it, but the
boys were small (11, 9, and 8). I let the wrong teacher come in who
poisoned my studio, within 2 weeks, I lost 40 kids, I was going
through a 2nd divorce, going through babysitters like water and I
couldn't handle it anymore. I shut down after one year.
I have taught about every evening of the week for the majority of my
sons lives w/ the exception of the last 4 years because I thought it
was an important time to be at home in the evenings with the boys, so,
I only teach 1 night per week now. I have been made bad choices in
men, subsequently affecting my kids. 1) Business is ANOTHER marriage
(I've been married 3x). 2) Dance studios mostly operate at night (last
class usually ends between 9:30-10:00), therefore, taking the last 3-4
years I have left to be here with and for the boys. 3) The boys LOVE
the idea, they think it is what I am supposed to do, it seems like a
natural decision. 4) The boys want to work there and help out. 5) They
think they will be able to recruit a lot of kids from their high
school. 6) I don't know how to raise capitol, how to attain the start
up costs. 7) Cash will flow, there is no doubt, almost immediately. 8)
I SEE so many people struggling in business even after 10,20,and 50
years...from real estate to insurance, to even surgery centers: the
headache of payroll, bills, unhappy clients, law suits, 12 and 16 hour
days, staff issues. 9) I would have artistic freedom 10) I would not
be free anymore; every night, every weekend 11) Life is beautiful
because it is short, too short, of course. Motherhood is too short
too, we only have so much time to influece our children and prepare
them for adulthood. As a parent, do we move forward and show our
children that you have to GO GET WHAT YOU WANT? Or as parents, do we
continue to make sacrifices for ourselves and stick to the most
important job...BEING A PARENT.
I think I can work out the kinks regarding the start up costs, if I
decide to move forward.
Again, this may not be a business question. Please do not respond if
you don't consider it a business question. But if you are a parent,
own your business, have a passion for something,
and, of course, have an opinion, I would appreciate your advice.
Thank you so much for reading this.
~Julie