A recent funding update from The New Hampshire Center for Nonprofits included mention of contest for local non profits. The prize $20,000 to the winning organization.
The contest is simple but the benefits impressed me enough to write about this new approach to corporate philanthropy. Check out the pitch here: http://bit.ly/bundles/jjurczynski/4
I don't know that my client who is registered will win the grand prize but I love the challenge. Grappone Auto Group builds it's reputation as a community oriented brand; nonprofits can engage supporters of all levels to participate and as someone working in the sector I can check out other organizations who might be reputable partners/collaborators in the future.
What other great corporate giving challenges are out there?
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
"I just want to work for myself" - Why the grass is sometimes greener
Recently a friend wrote me to ask how I make it work, referring to working for myself. He is justifiably frustrated by the dynamics in his work environment and looking for a way out. He is also a talented artist who would love to make a go at turning his part-time painting gigs into a full time venture. I hope he reads this - I think he has the talent and drive to make it happen.
His inquiry got me thinking about the challenges of working for yourself, the realities between the appealing bullet points of self-employment.
So here is what I have to say to anyone considering a shift to self employment...
His inquiry got me thinking about the challenges of working for yourself, the realities between the appealing bullet points of self-employment.
So here is what I have to say to anyone considering a shift to self employment...
Don't be so quick to only see green grass on the self-employed side of the fence. I love working for myself, it works for me, it supports the lifestyle I am excited about but here are drawbacks to consider and honest realities of dark side of self-employment...
-Success will require you to be the hardest boss you have ever worked for.
-Higher taxes.
-Wrestle with the fact you will never afford the kind of health insurance you had when you worked for a company...you will settle for basic coverage you pay too much for and family plans - forget about it
-No paid holidays, sick days or vacation. You take time off ...you don't make money.
-When you screw up there is no one to blame but yourself
-No IRA contributions
-Be prepared to work 2 + years before really making any money
-Realize that your business is YOU so it doesn't really ever get turned off (ie: trip to Peru...computer comes, emails are answered and that's vacation)
-When work is insane you don't get to run, play, visit with your spouse until the work is done
-If you don't have a spouse who is bought into the entirety of the plan above you will also contend with that
-Plan to spend less then you ever thought you would - dinners out, buying the smaller house, not buying a new car, holding off on major purchases until your business is stable.
The upside....
If you can handle the discipline required
If you can figure out the expenses of running a business
If you want flexibility
(read periods of intense work and then down time)
If the idea of kicking your own ass beats someone kicking it for you
.....you can do it.
It will be hard. You will get frustrated. There will be times you have no clue where the money is going to come from. You will have months where a day off means you don't have meetings but your read email before going for a run, answer a call while on it and check email again before bed.
If all of that is still agreeable. Find what you you love and go for it. If being my own boss has taught me anything it is that you don't have sit in a job you hate.
-Success will require you to be the hardest boss you have ever worked for.
-Higher taxes.
-Wrestle with the fact you will never afford the kind of health insurance you had when you worked for a company...you will settle for basic coverage you pay too much for and family plans - forget about it
-No paid holidays, sick days or vacation. You take time off ...you don't make money.
-When you screw up there is no one to blame but yourself
-No IRA contributions
-Be prepared to work 2 + years before really making any money
-Realize that your business is YOU so it doesn't really ever get turned off (ie: trip to Peru...computer comes, emails are answered and that's vacation)
-When work is insane you don't get to run, play, visit with your spouse until the work is done
-If you don't have a spouse who is bought into the entirety of the plan above you will also contend with that
-Plan to spend less then you ever thought you would - dinners out, buying the smaller house, not buying a new car, holding off on major purchases until your business is stable.
The upside....
If you can handle the discipline required
If you can figure out the expenses of running a business
If you want flexibility
(read periods of intense work and then down time)
If the idea of kicking your own ass beats someone kicking it for you
.....you can do it.
It will be hard. You will get frustrated. There will be times you have no clue where the money is going to come from. You will have months where a day off means you don't have meetings but your read email before going for a run, answer a call while on it and check email again before bed.
If all of that is still agreeable. Find what you you love and go for it. If being my own boss has taught me anything it is that you don't have sit in a job you hate.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)