"Day Job" survey
 

I'm curious as to how people here are earning their "base income".

WHAT is your "regular" or day"...job?

I sell advertising (and other business) programs to local businesses and consumers and then package these programs and sell to others to duplicate in their areas.

I've had 2 "jobs" in my life where others have written my paychecks....otherwise, I have depended upon myself to write my own paychecks.

I work in my home office. I call myself the 14 second commuter because it takes 14 secs to go from my kitchen, with a hot cup of coffee, to my office in my daylight basement.

If I'm doing a "program" I then go out and make contact with others.

I'm curious as to what some others do for their major income.

Thanks....Don Alm




Some of my work from home programs.

Re: "Day Job" survey
 

Hello Don,

You may recognize me from FIB.

My day job is also in advertising. I sell custom printed promotional advertising. I don't do the co-op programs like you have mentioned. I prefer working with my clients throughout the year with whatever needs they have.

In January, I'll be writing a lot of repeat calendar orders for 2004. Drives the competition crazy when they have to wait 8 to 12 months to have another shot at the calendar biz.

I'll writing a lot of other "residual" orders at that time. Currently, it's Christmas Card orders (I'm not into political correctness), last minute calendar orders, and lots of business to business and business to employee gift orders.

Through in the usual repeat orders for pens, casual Friday shirts, embroidered camouflage caps, and the usual specialty items.

And since my alma mater's football team is headed to the 1-AA playoffs and possibly Chattanooga bound for the champtionship game, I'm also working on some orders for the Rah-Rah spirit products. Might also do an order for #1 T-shirts for the game also.

As a matter of fact, the McNeese Cowboys game against Nicholls State will be on ESPN on the 23rd.

I spend a lot of hours taking care of business from my home office, but also get out at least 2 to 3 days each week seeing some of my clients face-to-face.

In addition, I spend a lot of time training/mentoring new dealers that I've sponsored into the industry.

Best regards,

Dennis Bevers




My home-based business in promotional adv.

Re: "Day Job" survey
 

Good thread Don...

I'm doing two different things at this point.

#1. I'm contracted out by people in this part of the state to help small business owners get started and to help established businesses grow. Mostly I help create business plans and with marketing issues (over 100 business in the last 6 months). I also help administer a small loan fund that loans up to $25,000 over 5 years at 5%.

#2. Lots of projects... I especially like joint-ventures involving direct marketing. See the thread below (started by Dien) for some details.

Take care,

Mike Winicki

Re: "Day Job" survey
 

Hi Don,

Up until this past June my 'day job' for the last three years was the Network Administrator/PC Hardware Specialist for a large Pest Control Company. They sold out to their main competitor.

Since then I've been doing private pc maintenance and Network troubleshooting for small companies while reevaluating what I want to do (definitely something on my own again and not in computers) but as of yet I haven't defined anything.

In the past I served 11 years with the U.S. Marine Corps (a change of political climate (1992) was the reason I got out after that length of time).

For three years my wife and I owned/ran a successful healthy frozen treat franchise that we sold.

For several years I successfully sold both home and commercial fitness equipment (out of a retail store and knocking on doors). This company also mismanaged funds and closed their doors.

Odd jobs that didn't last very long (due to extreme boredom/incompetent leadership) were: security guard, new car salesman, health club manager (largest health club in the US), sales rep for gym memberships, mail room supervisor for a large law firm and finally as the Accountant/Office Manager for an Awning Manufacturing Company.

I enjoy the experience of trying new things and feel I always learn something even if that's only 'what not to do'.

Re: "Day Job" survey
 

Other Job? I quit my job as an Engineer in 1994 and have never worked for anyone else. My entire income is from the Internet. Although, I have been looking at some offline projects.

I really admire you guys that can do the face to face selling. I have balls the size of BB's when it comes to that stuff. I have never done a joint venture, although I did email a friend about working on a project together. We have a market but not a product. I might post the outline here and see if anyone has any ideas, that might be fun.

I am beginning to believe that going offline might be more lucrative that being 100% online. I would probably follow the Jeff Paul formula and sell a high dollar product.

I am curious as to how many people whose only income is from the Internet.

Dave Roberts

Dave, question...
 

Hi,

Did you post the message from "Dave Roberts" on 11/5 (or was it an evildoer?).

If you posted that message and would like me to write, please post an addy and I'll do so. BTW I didn't reply to the addy in the 11/5 message, if you got an email from me it wasn't really from me.

Best,

- Boyd (always on the lookout for evildoers) Stone

Re: Dave, question...
 

Hi Boyd, I have had some serious computer problems and lost most of my recent email addresses. So, yes it was me that posted the 11/5 message. Here is one email address I am using that is pretty uncluttered: [email protected].

Dave Roberts

Re: "Day Job" survey
 

> I'm curious as to how people here are
> earning their "base income".

> WHAT is your "regular" or
> day"...job?

> I sell advertising (and other business)
> programs to local businesses and consumers
> and then package these programs and sell to
> others to duplicate in their areas.

> I've had 2 "jobs" in my life where
> others have written my
> paychecks....otherwise, I have depended upon
> myself to write my own paychecks.

> I work in my home office. I call myself the
> 14 second commuter because it takes 14 secs
> to go from my kitchen, with a hot cup of
> coffee, to my office in my daylight
> basement.

> If I'm doing a "program" I then go
> out and make contact with others.

> I'm curious as to what some others do for
> their major income.

> Thanks....Don Alm

Well first of all im new to this board and have found some great posts. I enjoy business forums i only wish that they were around when i was in business. Anyway back to the question, i am presently in sales for an industrial supply and caster company. This is the first time in my adult life that my paycheck is written by another.
Fankly, i can sum up this situattion in one word and that is "SUCKS". I have owned three companies over the last 25 years all automotive related and successful. I know this is a long response to Dons question but i just feel like maybe i can give some encouragement to asnyone out there thinking of going into busiess.... ITS scary but its VERY VERY worth the effort,i can remember working an average on 90 hours a week and never realized it.
Well,,,, i should try and bring this all to a conclusion by saying this.... As i said i am working for someone else now and let me tell you this..... i am out there and here looking for something interesting and profitable to get into, being on both sides ill tell you working for yourself is the BEST expereince you could have.
If anyone has any questions and if i can help and draw on my business experience for anyone who is contemplating going on there own i would be glad to share.
Good luck to all
Sorry Don that this response was sooo long.

Re: "Day Job" survey
 

I "retired" from my day job last month and derive my income entirely from the internet. I have found that the internet gives me a much quicker way of testing business ideas than offline methods.

I will never work for anyone else again.

> Other Job? I quit my job as an Engineer in
> 1994 and have never worked for anyone else.
> My entire income is from the Internet.
> Although, I have been looking at some
> offline projects.

> I really admire you guys that can do the
> face to face selling. I have balls the size
> of BB's when it comes to that stuff. I have
> never done a joint venture, although I did
> email a friend about working on a project
> together. We have a market but not a
> product. I might post the outline here and
> see if anyone has any ideas, that might be
> fun.

> I am beginning to believe that going offline
> might be more lucrative that being 100%
> online. I would probably follow the Jeff
> Paul formula and sell a high dollar product.

> I am curious as to how many people whose
> only income is from the Internet.

> Dave Roberts

Re: "Day Job" survey
 

I'm a webgeek, and I love my job!

The side businesses are ones I'm developing for when I can retire (earliest date is 6 years, but more realistic date is 10 years).

Re: "Day Job" survey
 

Hi Don,

> I'm curious as to how people here are
> earning their "base income".

In May, my Dad and I opened a music store here on Cape Cod. We offer guitar, bass, keyboard, and drum lessons for beginners through advanced students and we sell musical instruments and accessories. We believe that learning music should be fun so we promote a safe, relaxed atmosphere for students ages 6 to 96 and beyond!

We also have a full band instrument rental program through a franchise arrangement with a company that has specialized in the rental field for nearly 50 years. This allows us to leverage their expertise (and instruments) to build our customer base by renting instruments to parents through the schools and to enjoy residual income from their monthly 'rent-to-own' payments.

Business has been very strong - we definitely have found an underserved niche in our area. We're expecting a strong holiday season and we also have several powerful 'business building' programs in the works for next year.

Take care,

Richie


Learning Music is FUN at Music Sandwich!

Drive By posting . . .
 

Hi Don!

Hello to anybody else who's reading this.

I took a job with the Transportation Security folks (USA, for those outside the united 50 on this side of the world - - And a special **THANK YOU** to all NON- Americans for not being AS- er, . . . . . difficult. You know what security is about. We're still hoping we're isolated from the need, and that all 'this' is just over reaction . . .).

Anyway,

I've been trying to integrate the various facets of my persona fora very long time. What I get from others is definitely opposed to my view of myself.

I seem to have a choice of "occupations" I could pursue, and perform with some excellence. Training and education is just the "dues" to be paid. No sweat. (What I mean is that I've discovered a bunch of stuff that, if I want to, I could do it.)

Yeah, yeah, it sounds like some boasting - - Tough! It aint! I'd just like to find that activity that sparks my passion. I want the thing that I can do, everyday, 15 hours or so everyday, and never feel like I'm working, or that feels like I must satisfy some "rule" or "need" in somebody else to believe I'm fulfilling it. And I need to feel like what I'm doing is useful, both to me and to others.

So, this job was so different from any other experience I've had, both in tasks and in structure, that I thought I might get a clue about who I REALLY am, and why God has me here.

And I DID! (BTW, this particular job aint it. It falls in the category of "in the meantime.")

Jeez!

I know now, without a shadow of doubt, that I'm a "people person."

Trite phrase to be sure, but accurate. I'm approaching airline passengers everyday - - some with issues, others with attitudes and a few stomp down 'yo-mama-shoulda-beat-yo-ass-long-time-ago' idiots - - and when they leave me, they're smiling, thanking me, and commenting on how much they appreciate what "we're" doing. (WE aint all doing it. I provoked the comment. But what the hell.)

I'm writing these experiences down, and I'm annotating my observations with stuff that's happened to me in the past, and finding correlations to these new experiences.

To be honest, all that recording is for me. And a good bit of my motivation for doing so is just the act of doing it . . .

I want to analyze all that stuff and finally put together what that "thing" is that makes me believe I'm not a "people person" (gimme my damn computer and leave me alone!), and all that stuff that points in the opposite direction.

My inclination is to keep writing, and I will. You guys just won't get to read it, yet!

Had to say hello, Don, and to you Dien, this is my first stop when I fire up the old modem.

And I didn't forget you Boyd. Hope all is well . . .

Marye

Re: "Day Job" survey
 

> I am a distributor for a personal emergency response company. In other words, Help I feel down, I can't get up! Funny, unless it is your mother who was laying on the kitchen floor for 16 hours waiting for a neighbor to check on her. That's why I got in the business. Also we have modified the system to make it silent so it is used by 24 hour convenience stores for their employees to signal for police when the need arises. And in Chicago it does arise.

You ARE here....for a "reason"
 

The "reason" just hasn't made itself known...yet, BUT....it WILL!

Mary...whenever I've talked with you on the phone your "thought process" reminds me of a term I first heard many yars ago when a car mfgr coined the words...."ELECTRO-GLIDE".

You have a LOT on the "ball" Mary (especially your "attitude")....and as long as you keep "tossin' stuff against the wall" Some of it's gonna stick.

Only a matter of time.

Love ya Mary.....Don Alm

> Hi Don!

> Hello to anybody else who's reading this.

> I took a job with the Transportation
> Security folks (USA, for those outside the
> united 50 on this side of the world - - And
> a special **THANK YOU** to all NON-
> Americans for not being AS- er, . . . . .
> difficult. You know what security is about.
> We're still hoping we're isolated from the
> need, and that all 'this' is just over
> reaction . . .).

> Anyway,

> I've been trying to integrate the various
> facets of my persona fora very long time.
> What I get from others is definitely opposed
> to my view of myself.

> I seem to have a choice of
> "occupations" I could pursue, and
> perform with some excellence. Training and
> education is just the "dues" to be
> paid. No sweat. (What I mean is that I've
> discovered a bunch of stuff that, if I want
> to, I could do it.)

> Yeah, yeah, it sounds like some boasting - -
> Tough! It aint! I'd just like to find that
> activity that sparks my passion. I want the
> thing that I can do, everyday, 15 hours or
> so everyday, and never feel like I'm
> working, or that feels like I must satisfy
> some "rule" or "need" in
> somebody else to believe I'm fulfilling it.
> And I need to feel like what I'm doing is
> useful, both to me and to others.

> So, this job was so different from any other
> experience I've had, both in tasks and in
> structure, that I thought I might get a clue
> about who I REALLY am, and why God has me
> here.

> And I DID! (BTW, this particular job aint
> it. It falls in the category of "in the
> meantime.")

> Jeez!

> I know now, without a shadow of doubt, that
> I'm a "people person."

> Trite phrase to be sure, but accurate. I'm
> approaching airline passengers everyday - -
> some with issues, others with attitudes and
> a few stomp down
> 'yo-mama-shoulda-beat-yo-ass-long-time-ago'
> idiots - - and when they leave me, they're
> smiling, thanking me, and commenting on how
> much they appreciate what "we're"
> doing. (WE aint all doing it. I provoked the
> comment. But what the hell.)

> I'm writing these experiences down, and I'm
> annotating my observations with stuff that's
> happened to me in the past, and finding
> correlations to these new experiences.

> To be honest, all that recording is for me.
> And a good bit of my motivation for doing so
> is just the act of doing it . . .

> I want to analyze all that stuff and finally
> put together what that "thing" is
> that makes me believe I'm not a "people
> person" (gimme my damn computer and
> leave me alone!), and all that stuff that
> points in the opposite direction.

> My inclination is to keep writing, and I
> will. You guys just won't get to read it,
> yet!

> Had to say hello, Don, and to you Dien, this
> is my first stop when I fire up the old
> modem.

> And I didn't forget you Boyd. Hope all is
> well . . .

> Marye

Re: Drive By posting . . .
 

Hi Marye,

It sure seems like you and I are twins who grew up with different families.

Like you I insisted on waiting until I knew what the right thing was. It's hard to do this, because it can almost drive you nuts to keep searching, to keep being patient, but it's the best method.

Why? Becaue 100 years from now they're still going to know your name.

Best,

- Boyd

What does a "webgeek" do? (DNO) (DNO)
 

Re: "Day Job" survey
 

Hey Don, I have a CDL licence to drive tractor trailer but the stress isn't worth it so I decided to go back to working for myself as a photographer. I tend to get lazy without a boss to answer to so for motivation I took a low paying part time job to get me up at 6AM. I'm done working for the boss by 2pm and I spend my nights and weekends marketing my photography skills and a little report I wrote on photography is selling well. I'm going to be sending you a check this week because you are one of the best Idea people I have ever found. You walk your talk Don and I want to invest in myself by investing in several of your Ideas. Back in 1990 I invested $500 in your video ad case program and it was worth every penny. It was some of the best sales training I've ever had. I may be a little slow but I ain't stupid. No sense trying to reinvent the wheel when I could save myself a lot of time and frustration by learning from you. "Action supercedes everything and self discipline separates winners from wishers". My check will be in the mail this weekend so you'll have it by the end of next week.
Sincerely,
Steve Ski