What problems have you found with being self employed?

As much as the control freak in me would not give anything to be managed, controlled, or have my self-worth pre-determined by another (professional), I do agree that there are many steep hills to climb, especially in my profession. First off, it is awfully difficult to get started. More often than not, my own standards for myself are much, much higher than what other people would expect from me, so it is hard to know where to draw the line and go ahead and promote your work so you can get the whole thing off the ground quicker. Then, of course, during this promotional process, you need to find people who will actually pay you for what you're doing, which is difficult when you're a new business and people don't really know what to expect from you. Of course, then once you do find some people who are willing to support you (my business is a dance company, so I have an audience rather than clients) you have to keep up the high quality work and it's your responsibility to stay in touch with your industry and keep up with the ever-changing times. (I will tell you, the challenges make it so rewarding though!) Another problem I run into (and this problem seems to be pretty much unique only to dancers and maybe other performers), is that find a place to work and rehearse is a great deal of trouble, as is finding performance opportunities. It is not like performing for someone else's company where you're guaranteed these things. You have to find them and go after them yourself when it's your own business. This, too, is rewarding in the end, however, as there is no one telling you what you can and can't do and which parts you are and aren't capable of. So as you can see, both major problems have a silver lining when you finally get it right. It is a huge struggle, but these struggles just make our personal victories that much sweeter, I think.

If I hadn't already worked for 40 years and have a pension, being now self-employed, I'd be in the welfare line. In other words, while it's great being your own boss, you have to have enough energy to make a living at working for yourself. It takes a tremendous amount of time planning, marketing, selling, customer satisfaction, managing and operating a business, etc. Don't plan on working a 40 hour week.

I love being self employed but the money is not set in stone. some weeks I make great money but then the next week make none.

Well, I have a problem with finding enough places that pay. There are all kinds of online places, but you can't make that much money with many of them. There are sites such as helium, review sites, mylot, etc. but to really work from home you need to have regular clients. But maybe you do. I guess you have to motivate your self to work and be your own boss. That means you have to make your own hours and have the willpower to get your work done and meet deadlines without someone leaning on you, or watching you to make sure you do it. I can see how that would be hard.

I enjoy being self-employed. I never liked being an employee, where someone else tells you how much you'll earn, when to take breaks, what work to do next. I hate that. Being self-employed means I'm responsible for how much I earn, how much revenue comes into my business. If I want to take a break, I will. If I want to sleep in a little bit, I can. If I want to stay up til midnight talking to a new client, I will. For me personally being self-employed is perfect.

I prefer being self employed over working for someone else ANYDAY! I rather be in control of my own path then someone else...you create your own destiny and to me, there is nothing better than that...