DISQUS

DISQUS Hello! Community Guy is using DISQUS, a powerful comment system, to manage its comments. Learn more.

Community Page

Community Guy

Jump to original thread »
Author

My own personal Independence Day

Started by Jake McKee · 12 months ago

Exactly one year ago today I started my first company, Ant’s Eye View. I’ve been part of several startups in the past and am now working with several, but the last year I’ve had the amazing opportunity to focus on something that is 100% mine. Working for myself (aka: the worst boss in the world) [...] ... Continue reading »

7 comments

  • iFroggy

    12 months ago

    Interesting post. Thanks for writing it.

    Patrick
    reply
  • Todd

    12 months ago

    Great insights and post, Jake. Congratulations on your first year!
    reply
  • Chris Brogan...

    12 months ago

    First off, happy Birthday to your independence. Second, this is a great write-up and a must read of lessons learned by a pro in the space. I'm excited that you took the time to write it. Finally, I too see people charging way too little for their services, probably because they're thinking like a little fish and not like a professional. Doctors are a standalone practice and they don't charge lightly.

    Thanks, Jake.
    reply
  • PodcastSteve

    12 months ago

    Agree with most of the above. Been out on my own for nearly four years now. I am still surprised at how much time I spend prospecting for new business, and how little time is spent doing billable work. But the advice to upgrade skills is absolutely right. You have to stay ahead of the clients -- and the other consultants. Great post!
    reply
  • Donna Papacosta

    12 months ago

    Excellent advice. Where were you 20 years ago when I was starting out?! You make some excellent points, although I'm intrigued by the 33/33/33 suggestion. I seem to be spending about 75% of my time on client work. My new tactic is to devote a half-day each week to marketing efforts, in addition to my sporadic blogging and Twittering. Let's see how that works out.

    Happy Independence Day!
    reply
  • Jake McKee

    12 months ago

    Yeah, it's tough to remember to do the new business stuff when you're swamped with work. But that's precisely how you get into trouble, right? If a client project ends sooner than expected, for instance, you want to be able to quickly insert something as a replacement project.

    Of course, how you look at the 33/33/33 doesn't have to be by the day or the week. Could be by the month or even the quarter.
    reply
  • thehotiron

    12 months ago

    Hi Jake - Tim Courtney referred me to your post as I wrote something similar, though not as detailed, for Independence Day:

    http://www.thehotiron.com/index.php/site/commen...

    Congrats on your first year!

    mp/m
    reply

Add New Comment

Returning? Login