Want to start out on my own

[CasperTFG]

How did everyone get started working on their own?

I want to start up my own Enterprise Database Programming company making custom programs.

But where to begin.

1) I don't want to quit my day job until I'm sure the other business would survive.

2) How do I find customers.

3) How do I get in to the market? How did you all get into the market? Were you working contracts first? Did you stay in your original industry?



Casper

There is room for all of gods creatures, "Right Beside the Mashed Potatoes".

 

[adrianjohnson]

>How did everyone get started working on their own?
I was made redundant in November 2003, and an agency I spoke to said he gets 150 applications for every job he advertises. I gave up looking, had some software ideas of my own, so off I went ...

>But where to begin.
>1) I don't want to quit my day job until I'm sure the other business would survive.
Can you develop stuff during evenings/weekends? Do you have the tools you need at home?

>2) How do I find customers.
My contacts were people I'd already worked with. Otherwise, you could "network" - meeting of start-up businesses. Offer to do things for them.

>3) How do I get in to the market? How did you all get into the market? Were you working contracts first? Did you stay in your original industry?
Yes, IT is my original industry, though if you work for another industry and your IT product is related, then you could get a head start.

If I can help in any way, just let me know.

I hope it all works out for you.

Regards,

Adrian Johnson

Adrian Johnson
Assystance - i.t. solutions

http://www.assystance.com

 

[byteofram]

Adrian brings up good points. Developing at night and keeping your day job might be the way to go for you for now.

I think the first thing should be to decide what type of products are you going to produce. Are they going to be used in the telecommunications field, dental field, engineering field, etc. If you stay too general you won't be able to market very effectively starting out. I'd start with one area you know well, and then branch into others later. But that's me. Once you have that group, you can develop a clear market strategy. I would develop a website, even if it doesn't have much info that gets your name out there for what people might be looking for in that area. Word of mouth is still one of the best ways to get your name out there, but the internet is another.

Good luck!

Curt


----------
Computer TIPs - Columbus Computer Consultants

http://www.comptips.com

 

[CasperTFG]

Yes I would have to / want to start off part time at night. We just had a baby so the medical coverage and etc. is nice to have at the present time.

I work in the Banking POS/ATM industry but program tools using VB and SQL Server 2000.

Finding customers in my industry is imposible as they are all big banks that want the backing of a full support team etc.

I'd love to get some jobs fixing or creating tools for companies... But I just don't know where to begin? Should I go through a 3rd party to find me the work?

Casper

There is room for all of gods creatures, "Right Beside the Mashed Potatoes".

 

[adrianjohnson]

Is there nothing the banks need which you could write in VB - maybe something small, but useful. You could make it apply to other areas, but start marketing it with the banks.

An accountant friend once told me that a lot of accounting packages aren't very good, as they're not written for accountants - e.g. they don't work in the way accountants do things. Don't know how applicable that is, as I'm not an accountant, and don't work in banking. Not sure where you'd start with something like that, either.

If I think of anything I'll post it here.

Adrian Johnson
Assystance - i.t. solutions

http://www.assystance.com

 

[CasperTFG]

1) I have signed a non competition agreement which means I can't write anything that remotley resembles the applicatiosn our company currently produces. So that really limits me as we have quite a few programs even though many are defunct now.

2) As I said before. A bank would be reluctant to buy anything that does not have a full support team behind it. They know what happens when Joe the computer guy decides to take up rodeo clowning instead of programming and they are left with a program they will never get fixes for.

3) I may want to get away from banks as they say, those who have the money are harder to part with it...



Casper

There is room for all of gods creatures, "Right Beside the Mashed Potatoes".

 

[adrianjohnson]

Why not get yourself a web site done to advertise your skills etc (e.g. if you've fixed someone's pc, add it to the list), then start visiting small companies who may want some software, but cannot afford high prices charged by some. Maybe do something for 1 or 2 companies for free to build up a portfolio, and then sell yourself.

Adrian Johnson
Assystance - i.t. solutions

http://www.assystance.com

 

[gpalmer711]

I'm currently looking to set up my own business in the UK. General PC troubleshooting, web sites etc..

I have developed a couple of basic applications, and am currently developing a Web Site for a local Pre-School play group, free of charge. Once it is finished, no only will I hopefully get some good "word of mouth" contacts, but also my local paper have said they would cover the story. Great free advertising.

Greg Palmer
Free Software for Adminstrators

http://www.palmersoft.co.uk

 

[CasperTFG]

To think of it that is a great way to start. I'm already webmaster of my fathers business website, I built it in College.

http://www.tradespancanada.com

. The site was built 8 years ago using no tools straight HTML and back then it was great looking, so don't laugh.

I'm sure I could use my ASP skills now to revamp it and add some functionality. Though I don't want to do web design, as my creative side is more suited to oil paints. I'm sure it would help to advertise me as a well rounded programer in any case.

I'll also work on getting my own web site. My sister inlaw is a graphic design artist. She just finished school so I am sure she would want to help me out.

Casper

There is room for all of gods creatures, "Right Beside the Mashed Potatoes".