What type of business do you own?

[Blunt]

Ok.. Since this is a forum for small business owners, what business type do you own?

[BobW]

Irrigation contractor here.

Interesting business... lots of guys are better at putting stuff in the ground than I am, but they all end up out of business.... first rule of business is that you are a businessman first! Understand your financial situation at all times. If you let stuff slide because you are too busy, you WILL be out of business real fast.

Second rule: Most businesses fail because they are undercapitalized. Keep a reserve fund to keep you going.

[Cyber6]

For me, I am openning a exotic fruit-juice/smoothie/power drink/bubble tea store in downtown Toronto. If you're in the business district, you might see a new store being erected. That's me! (Don't come asking for freebies.. :P )
I will hopefully be opening up in the next couple of days, and I hope it goes well.

Congrats Blunt !!!..

I will certainly drop by and give you my business. Nothing better than to support fellow RFD'ers..


Now.. if you see an exotic red head.. don't go asking if is Cyber6 ..

[ScoobySnacks]

I run a pretty popular humor website aBum.com

It's pretty fun, get to work from home

do close to 200,000 visitors per day now

[Venusia]

I do consulting engineering, and some technical translations.

[AuroraGG]

I am a writer and freelance for a couple different online publishers. LOL if anyone is really interested I'll post the URLs. I also do design work (cards, menus and such but haven't been actively pursuing this lately -- I've been really focused on the writing).

My husband owns his own business as well. He owns a pawnshop but over the past couple years has gone back a bit more into a previous business of custom gold jewelry design. He designs some pretty nice gold rings, chains, etc. and makes them all starting with creating the mold and melting the gold. It is certainly not a business I'd ever be able to do, but I do like the benefits of having a goldsmith in the family

Take care all - would love to hear more about the businesses / self-employment of others on here.

Aurora

[vladislav]

I do IT Consulting. I opened my business about a year ago and it's been going pretty good. Right now looking into expanding a list of clients, considered advertising but I don't know too much about that. Having own business is great, I can't even think of having to work regular 9-5 jobs now.

[chococrazy]

Can I have an almond milk tea with no tapioca?

Seriously though, let us know where your location is... I'll definitely drop by on my lunch hour!

[StarvinStudent]

I've started up a Software and Web Development shop. We mainly target smaller businesses that are looking to develop an online presence or require custom software developed to either automate workflows or assist in data management.

Currently business is pretty slow as it's difficult attracting clients since we have a very small portfolio. But we've started offering to develop sites and systems for free for some businesses to hopefully get the ball rolling via word of mouth.

[meatpie77]

I, too, am an IT Consultant. I've been doing this for 6 months, and have been taking it slow and steady -- learining the ropes of being a sole proprietor without sticking my neck out too much. This is my second business, as I spent the last 5 years playing in a rock band, and have a little knowledge of how it all works (and the knowledge that I don't enjoy having partners). I'm looking forward to lots of studying and taking certification tests over the summer, and may take on 1 or 2 more clients if all is going well in the fall.

[B40]

I run a pretty popular humor website aBum.com

It's pretty fun, get to work from home

do close to 200,000 visitors per day now

Congrats, that's quite the site... I've purchased advertising on there before, unfortunately, it didn't do too well

[ScoobySnacks]

Oh yeah? for which site?

And did you purchase through adbrite or me directly?

Ryan

[B40]

Oh yeah? for which site?

And did you purchase through adbrite or me directly?

Ryan

AdBrite... I only purchased $20 for I think one week.. it didn't do that good so I didn't renew. Had no idea it was a fellow Canadian/RFDer running the site

[chuckieland]

i own a import/export and wholesale business
mainly in Gifts/promotion/wedding...etc

[jckc]

I opened a franchised tutoring centre last Sept. It's growing steadily. I haven't quit my regular pt job (am not planning too). Happy and also super busy

Glad to see this forum... when I was preparing last year, I was soooo looking forward to share both my frustration and excitment with someone in similar situation.