[EKRIUQ]

Originally Posted by cormie

I'd sent this in an email to somebody before, so excuse any excess waffle, but this is from the start to present.

Age 13: Convinced my brother and friend to put our pocket money together and save up £70 each for a CD burner costing £210 to run an underground cd selling business in school. After making a lot more sales then they did, I ended up "buying them out" (giving them back their £70) after a few weeks and I then fully owned the CD burner and built my collection by selling CD's at £5 instead of £10 to anyone who would give me their entire CD collection overnight, where I would then go home and copy the whole lot to MP3 and bring their CD's back in the next day along with a copy of whatever album they wanted.

Was that your application to the The Apprentice?

Good post Cormie

[cormie]

Thanks everyone

Hehe, nope, not application to the apprentice, it was for a program on RTE that never went ahead. They approached me and asked me would I be interested and to send them a brief run down so that's what they got

Isn't the apprentice about working for somebody else? No thanks

[information]

please tell

[Heisenberg.]

I'll sticky this for a while, see how it goes...

[Granty2007]

What great posts and interesting reads!

I would like to share my story with somewhat anonymity. I know now, I must work for myself the rest of my life.

I am from a modest Dublin background, with a hard working ‘rock’ of a mother. I realised from an early age the importance of finding a “niche”. At 15 I realised that computers where becoming so so popular but, in 1992 games where expensive, so I set up a computer users club for people to bring along their own Amigas and Atari ST’s and exchange games...that led to a little expansion by opening a shop to sell to the customers and before you know it i was importing blank disks from England and making a fortune.... Before my Junior cert I was one of the highest paid kids...I had tasted money and Loved it!

Alas this did not last as the “playstations” took over and my era ended. I worked in a bar all the way from 15-23 through collage and learnt about PEOPLE and a very important life lesson..gained more from this, then I did from my degree. I went to work for a major multinational as a tech support phone operator in 2001, so degrading but again..learning curve...kept going for jobs that where “out of my league” and ended up in charge of 14 project managers across the world as a senior manager with a fantastic salary and great benefits...the perfect safe job....but there was a burning in my heart to get out! Everyone said i was mad! But to be my own boss...money....I cant be a number any more....such huge risk!

The Realisation: In the interim of this 8 years in a multinational I stated my first official company..... similar to the last poster... I jumped on the Online Gambling fad in 2002 and invested heavily in setting up my own online gambling website....(while keeping my 9-5 job)..I was working 18 hour days...7 days a week...I was so sure of my business “success” of before....

I lost everything! As I write this, I have another 3 €500 monthly payments to clear my debt (six years later).... did I give up?

No.... I learnt so much from failure. Every mistake was amplified a million times. Every successful person must, and does, fail before trying again...its in your nature. If you are reading this you know the burning inside! Other people don’t understand, pick yourself up and start again!

I found a new niche. I spent 12 months writing the strongest business plan ever (great tips on this if needed) and while still in the Multinational (climbing the corporate – just another number – ladder). I presented my idea to AIB and got 60k...not enough...went to firststeps.ie and got 25k....still not enough...sold every think I had worked for ....all my shared in my multinational, cashed in every penny from my SSIA...and feckin went for it.

I resigned from my job in April 2008....and when I drove hope I must have smile for four straight hours... Then the reality. I had to build a business that had never been done before. I had to become the head of HR, Marketing, Legal, Accountancy and everything else....oh my god what have I done!

As each sleepless night passed I took one problem at a time....but you know what I was the boss now. Work became fun! I Loved it and it became a passion.

On July 14th 2008, I opened my shop! High street retail (no prior experience). I employ seven people. I LOVE my job! I love the reward I love the challenge.... but remember.... Its not easy! Every decision stops with you.... I am not making money yet.. but each week sales are growing and it brings a smile to my face. I am living a far better life! Take the chance, we only have one run at this game....

I hope my story helps you find your path and I will leave you with a quote that literally made me hand in my notice and take my life back...

From Mark Twain.; “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

[kazzer]

Superb post - thanks for sharing.

[duncanb]

Originally Posted by Granty2007

What great posts and interesting reads!

I would like to share my story with somewhat anonymity. I know now, I must work for myself the rest of my life.

I am from a modest Dublin background, with a hard working ‘rock’ of a mother. I realised from an early age the importance of finding a “niche”. At 15 I realised that computers where becoming so so popular but, in 1992 games where expensive, so I set up a computer users club for people to bring along their own Amigas and Atari ST’s and exchange games...that led to a little expansion by opening a shop to sell to the customers and before you know it i was importing blank disks from England and making a fortune.... Before my Junior cert I was one of the highest paid kids...I had tasted money and Loved it!

Alas this did not last as the “playstations” took over and my era ended. I worked in a bar all the way from 15-23 through collage and learnt about PEOPLE and a very important life lesson..gained more from this, then I did from my degree. I went to work for a major multinational as a tech support phone operator in 2001, so degrading but again..learning curve...kept going for jobs that where “out of my league” and ended up in charge of 14 project managers across the world as a senior manager with a fantastic salary and great benefits...the perfect safe job....but there was a burning in my heart to get out! Everyone said i was mad! But to be my own boss...money....I cant be a number any more....such huge risk!

The Realisation: In the interim of this 8 years in a multinational I stated my first official company..... similar to the last poster... I jumped on the Online Gambling fad in 2002 and invested heavily in setting up my own online gambling website....(while keeping my 9-5 job)..I was working 18 hour days...7 days a week...I was so sure of my business “success” of before....

I lost everything! As I write this, I have another 3 €500 monthly payments to clear my debt (six years later).... did I give up?

No.... I learnt so much from failure. Every mistake was amplified a million times. Every successful person must, and does, fail before trying again...its in your nature. If you are reading this you know the burning inside! Other people don’t understand, pick yourself up and start again!

I found a new niche. I spent 12 months writing the strongest business plan ever (great tips on this if needed) and while still in the Multinational (climbing the corporate – just another number – ladder). I presented my idea to AIB and got 60k...not enough...went to firststeps.ie and got 25k....still not enough...sold every think I had worked for ....all my shared in my multinational, cashed in every penny from my SSIA...and feckin went for it.

I resigned from my job in April 2008....and when I drove hope I must have smile for four straight hours... Then the reality. I had to build a business that had never been done before. I had to become the head of HR, Marketing, Legal, Accountancy and everything else....oh my god what have I done!

As each sleepless night passed I took one problem at a time....but you know what I was the boss now. Work became fun! I Loved it and it became a passion.

On July 14th 2008, I opened my shop! High street retail (no prior experience). I employ seven people. I LOVE my job! I love the reward I love the challenge.... but remember.... Its not easy! Every decision stops with you.... I am not making money yet.. but each week sales are growing and it brings a smile to my face. I am living a far better life! Take the chance, we only have one run at this game....

I hope my story helps you find your path and I will leave you with a quote that literally made me hand in my notice and take my life back...

From Mark Twain.; “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

Inspiring Post.

Can I ask you the name of your shop?
Is it located in Ireland?

duncan

[Granty2007]

Thanks for the comments. The shop is located in Dublin South Side and I would prefer not to name as this was not meant to be a PR push for my shop, just a bit of help if anyone was interested in my story. Thanks again..lets hope i can post here in six months with great success!

[Savman]

Thanks for sharing, some good reads there.

[Nuttzz]

Originally Posted by Granty2007

Thanks for the comments. The shop is located in Dublin South Side and I would prefer not to name as this was not meant to be a PR push for my shop, just a bit of help if anyone was interested in my story. Thanks again..lets hope i can post here in six months with great success!

good stuff, what kind of shop is it out of interest?

[lanod2407]

Oh sweet divine, just tell us the name of the shop ............... it'll give the rest of us the precedent to name drop, and a reason to drop in if we're passing through!!!

[Neiler21]

basically this is where i am at now in my life,it feels cliche but its a crossroad,
Im 22 years old and having worked since the age of 15 under 3 devious managers in factorys I decided that i will give it a go myself,Its something i have wanted to do for a long time but the last 6 months ive taken a course on starting a business and am really going gung ho,the recent credit crunch has affected it for now as if all was right with the world i feel i would have my investment now but as ive spoke to my bank,they cannot give anything towards it now,which is a shame but it wont stop me,its a great idea and something sligo will really benefit from i feel,i suppose watching my brother who owns a successful bar and restaurant in sligo town for over 10 years now has made me want it a little more thats not in doubt,but theres a element in me that wants to do better,not to be spiteful or anything malacious its just a personal dream of mine to be very successful in what i do and make my late father proud also,alot of people have asked me "why dont you ask this brother for the investment" well without boring you all silly,my family is very odd,we get on great and always look out for each other but my brother made his success from nothing,and really i mean that,our family home which i still live in with my mother is just your average house in a estate that has the worst reputation in sligo,which doesnt help but ive grown up with good people there so i cant knock it,its my home always,so since my brother never offered me anything and he knows my ideas for this but hasnt offered help as such,i thought "you know what,he did it alone,i will too" so at the moment as banks are a failed option for now,i might look down the road of a angel investor,a guy who will see the great idea and potential for massive profits and help me,thing is,where are these guys lol .. i`ll keep looking and i`ll never stop trying to be successful,who knows i could have a business this year coming,it could be 2010 or ever 2015 but i will one day open a business i can call mine,and not work under any devious inept boss again. Actually recently the sligo enterprise board got in touch with me and said they like the idea and think it will be great for sligo so who knows what will happen,hopefully sooner rather than later eh. thanks for reading if you have and good luck on your own venture,never stop trying,you never know.

[Molberts]

Hi, I'm new here Currently running a retail shop and website, while juggling a "real job" (aka one that pays the bills while my baby business grows!)

My background is DJing, been gigging since the age of 13. Learned lots about selling and marketing a product (myself!), negotiating fees and customer service from it as well as the performance aspect of it.

I always wanted to run my own business and managed to combine my love of retail/customer service with pets and set up my online store in '06 followed by my boutique in '07. Previously to that I had worked in retail management gaining the necessary experience to go out on my own.

I love working for myself, I love dealing with my customers and am very proud of my business. I have great staff and I'd like to think a pleasant working environment. It's still a learning curve, my main downfalls are being bad at accounting and delegating, I'm working at improving on both

Sorry this isn't more detailed, its been a longggg day

[Bren Sheehan]

Hi All,

My sotry is April 2007 I started my business as a Mortgage Broker, even in the steady decline I was sure it would be successful because of family in Kerry opening an Estate agent.

Well I got set up quickly but in the market turmoil my cousin decided to put a hold on his plans, cant blame him. AS a result of that it made things difficult for me. As start ups go it has been successful (I guess ; ) but is becoming increasingly difficult to get cases over the line and the banks are changing policy so regularly it is so difficult to give sound advice - very frustrating!!

At the start of the summer recognising that I needed to change something I approached a friend and have started another Co. to start an online heatlh store, selling supplements, vitamins etc.

That is going quite well but at the moment we are working very hard and need to make sales quick quick quick.

I have put just about everything I have into both businesses, to say the least it is very nerve racking but I wouldnt have it any other way ; )

Bren

[niceirishfella]

Originally Posted by Bren Sheehan

Hi All,

My sotry is April 2007 I started my business as a Mortgage Broker, even in the steady decline I was sure it would be successful because of family in Kerry opening an Estate agent.

Well I got set up quickly but in the market turmoil my cousin decided to put a hold on his plans, cant blame him. AS a result of that it made things difficult for me. As start ups go it has been successful (I guess ; ) but is becoming increasingly difficult to get cases over the line and the banks are changing policy so regularly it is so difficult to give sound advice - very frustrating!!

At the start of the summer recognising that I needed to change something I approached a friend and have started another Co. to start an online heatlh store, selling supplements, vitamins etc.

That is going quite well but at the moment we are working very hard and need to make sales quick quick quick.

I have put just about everything I have into both businesses, to say the least it is very nerve racking but I wouldnt have it any other way ; )

Bren

Great stories thus far!
Thanks Molberts - and i know that loooooong day feeling.
Bren, whats the name of your site - i often order herbal stuff in my local healthfood store and may as well buy it from you!

rgds,
NIF