Should I quit my awful job and start my own business?

Question

I have been thinking about this constantly, about a month now. I hate my job, which is early in the morning and I train jiu-jitsu late at night, so I can never sleep, plus my coworkers are old and mean, and it only pays minimum wage. It gives me just enough to stay there and not leave, by draining my energy and giving me just enough money to live like a dog. I hate it!

Anyway I am a recent college grad, what do you think about this:

I want to start a private music studio in my apartment. If I put in my two weeks notice, I have three weeks pay to get it all set up before I am out of work. Do you think that is enough time to establish enough students? Any marketing strategies? I want to advertise online as well but I don't know how.

Answer 1

One thing's for sure: If you hate your job, then quit.  Nothing is more terrible than waking up in the morning with the thoughts of going back to the same place which you hate.  I had the same experience.  I had a job which I didnt like, but kept it anyway because i thought I needed the money.  and every time I enter the office, I felt like i'm going inside a prison! I'm sure you felt the same way too.  When I quit, there was not regrets, I'm happier as ever.  There's no need to let yourself suffer.

Well, about the business, I think there's always a start.  Start posting ads on the internet and see if you can get some replies.  That way you can have an idea if people will be interested on your product.

Answer 2

That's what I did. I made sure that I had a little insurance money ahead of time. Right now, it's paying a little better than my original job. You need to have a reasonable plan. Figure out something that will work, and have plan B, C, and D prepared if it doesn't work out. The biggest step is the first step. If you want to advertise online I would suggest making some you tube videos, making a website, and possibly writing an ebook. Be prepared to work a lot of hours, especially when you start out.

Answer 3

I don't know where you live but from my experience you will not be allowed to run any business with walk in public let alone a music studio from a apartment due to city business codes and liability insurance requirements etc.You need to keep your job and build a business on the side within your means, like a previous answer said the type of business you want to start will take sometime to start producing any real profit to live on.I have 35 years experience in starting and operating my own companies and was able to retire at a early age due to their success and now devote my time to my family and helping as many people I can start their own business. There are several options available to you. I am always available to answer your questions and help in anyway I can.

Answer 4

I'm a journalist, blogger and marketer specializing in small business.

Some of the best businesses in the world have been started by people who hated their jobs and longed for something else. But new businesses fail when they are launched on an impulse, without proper planning. Don't you make the same mistake.

You will expect your students to practice every day - so should you. In business, it's called planning. You must know what your costs are going to be, how much you will charge, how many students you need to make a profit, and how you are going to attract them.

Set out a timeline for starting your business. Allow adequate time for researching the market, preparing demo videos, developing a professional name and logo, researching your pricing, identifying potential allies and partners, creating a thoughtful marketing plan, and exploring zoning and licensing laws (you can flout them if you want, but you should know what the laws are that you are flouting),

Most importantly, find a mentor (or maybe two): someone who has run a business like yours, knows what he or she is doing, and is willing to share experiences and teach you the ropes. Don't try to do it all yourself: you will be wasting time reinventing the wheel and making old mistakes.

You may have to stick with your job for another few months. But it will be easier knowing that you are working on an exit plan. And you will have more time to bank money to suport you during the first lean months.

For online advertising, learn about pay-per-click ads: Google AdWords, for instance. They let you target people who are searching for information on specific keywords - say, "music teacher" or "saxophone lessons" - within your own geographical market. And you pay (say, 20 cents a click - you set the price) only if someone clicks through to your website.

Your site can be a one-page information site to start - that often comes free when you buy a domain name.

The good news is that since you are used to working for minimum wage, your revenue goals can be modest. If you are good at what you do, and you do a proper marketing job, you should have no problem replacing that income.

Follow your dreams - but run a check on them first to make sure they make sense.

Answer 5

Have you checked your lease in regard to such activities? If I were your neighbor, I would NOT want to hear screech and squeel of a violin or banging of drums, etc. You are being assumptive that you even have the ability to run a studio out of your place.  That's why a lot of musician-instructors have to work out of a music store so they have a facility. ALso makes you more legitimate.

If you are only making minimum wage, get a job at McDonalds and change your hours. Why angst over quitting a dead end min wage job? You are smart enough to grad from college, so exert some energy into getting more of a career job. The music thing will take awhile to develop and should be more of a long range plan. Also look at what you make teaching judo - music lessons won't be much better. Can you live on the 2 incomes or do they really only add up to more of the same poverty?  It is important to distinguish between "hobbies" and "jobs".

Answer 6

are you in a position financially to do so. entrepreneurs and experts give business advice and information http://www.businessempiremag.com/toolkit... you may find that site helpful.