Success and failure with entrepreneurship /freelance/online

Post Reply New Topic

I was curious if people would be willing to share anything about their success or failure with making a living for themselves through entrepreneurship, freelance work, or doing something online.

Personally, I would like nothing more than to be the boss of my own time (it's been a dream of mine for years), but I'm also afraid that I can't handle it. I believe this is why I've been reading here that many spectrum people don't do well with making money in this way. I suspect most people here would agree that they would like the autonomy to just do as they pleased, and somehow make a living doing it... but it seems like we don't do well without schedules enforced on us by others (which conflicts with what we want, but gives us the order and stability that helps us function). At least, I'm guessing that's how people here would feel. It's a bit confusing to me. I guess there's too many factors involved in entrepreneurship that conflict with our focused interests and skill sets, that we just can't deliver the full package. We need help from others. In a perfect world, I'd have achievable deadlines to perform tasks that I enjoy, but have my own control over when I'm working, or what I'm working on, and not have to think too hard about the money/business side of things.

If you're wondering what sorts of skills I'd like to use personally, it would probably revolve around photograpy/Photoshop and videography/editing. I do these things, but not necessarily in the work environment that I dream of.

I am a freelancer now. My job is writing texts for web-sites. I think I have success, although sometimes it is difficult to concentrate. I found several people, who give me orders regular, so I have some kind of stability now. The best and the worst thing in freelance is, that you get so much money, how much you work. And the second problem is, that you may need much time to start and make a reputation. For example, I am a freelancer about one year, but got nearly half of all money I earned with this jobs during last four months, when I got a pair of big orders on writing texts.
I find this kind of work good for me and plan to continue))

Approximately seven years ago, I attempted to start a business with a "business partner."

I was twenty one years old, still living at home, and working in a manufacturing facility which I had been employed at since I was fourteen years old. I became friends with a new hire, and quickly discovered he was very knowledgeable in our specific field; CNC machining. I became aware of him previously owning a business and its subsequent failures related to unsavory business practices between his partners and himself. This also involved court issues at the present time of this situation (GIGANTIC red flag). We discussed what our market niche would be, gauged interest with a few potential customers, and began the tenuous process of diving in.

I found a perfect building in a great location, complete with offices, inspection area, bathroom, and a large bay area for the machines. My dad knew the individual who owned the building complex, so the rent was a great deal. I payed the rent completely out of my pocket like an absolute fool. We traveled to Pennsylvania, near the New Jersey border, to look in a big, used CNC warehouse to find lathes, bar-feeders, and comparators. We had everything picked out, supposedly had a loan going, and we started painting/renovating the shop after work. Everything was great....lol, riiiiiight.

Without going into the incredulous details, I got screwed out of thousands of dollars, gave up the shop after about 8 months of paying on it myself, and ended up with nothing to show for it. My biggest mistake was leaving all the finances and dirty work to him. I would give him money for things, such as for the loan, and he would "take care" of it. I actually gave him money to help with his legal problems from his old business, since he actually convinced me they screwed him over! Indeed I was a naive fool.

It is important to mention I was not even aware of the mere word Aspergers, let alone any connotation of it. I trusted his every word and action, and honestly didn't think anything suspicious at the time. I was always nervous dealing with people, especially in unfamiliar situations, so I figured he could deal with the "business end" of everything, so I could focus on the actual "working end." Hindsight is 20/20, especially when you factor in AS! I don't regret what happened, and I wouldn't hesitate to do it all over again. I learned much about myself and other people for that matter. I moved into my first home immediately after this incident, and started my first major relationship. 99.9% of the people you ever meet in your life, will intentionally blow smoke up your a**, specifically to benefit themselves.

As long as you are aware of your personality shortcomings and how it may negatively affect you, you will do just fine my friend. If you decide to continue with your plan, good luck and I wish you success in doing what you WANT to do, and not what you are EXPECTED to do.