On Marriage ... to a job

I never thought of myself as a business woman. I always thought I'd suck at it. My former and favorite Brit boss used to advise me about making a business out of my "hobbies". To go full time. I told him I was afraid I might actually succeed. He didn't understand what I meant. I'm not sure I did either. But I had this eureka moment this morning. I realized what I was really afraid of. I was afraid that if I do succeed, the business would control my life. It would be like being married ... but to a job.

After meeting with an accountant, i was given a low-down of how to start a business. The first year, she says, you will be looking for your own clients. On the second year, you will be getting referrals. On the third year, clients would start looking for you and you will be having regular clients.

I'm on my third year. I made a 50% profit margin from 2007 to 2008 and tripled my job orders. And yes, I've started to believe that I am indeed succeeding.

Does this make me happy? Hell, yeah.
Does this scare me? A helluvah lot!

It's now time to make this business legit. The accountant says that once you start a business, there will be no turning back. There will be customer expectations. You can't just drop off from the face of the earth whenever you want to. They call it "client responsibility". It's like having a husband and kids ... but it's a job.

When I started earning for my "hobbies", the goal was quite clear. I even stated it in a business plan. The primary reason of DWG is to enjoy the opportunity to create, for it to be an outlet for my weirdness, a product of learning ... and make a profit while doing it to be able to sustain that joy. It is supposed to be fun. It still is. For now.

I turned to experts and here's what they say:

Arthur Golden: "A mind troubled by doubt cannot focus on the course to victory."

Albert Schweitzer: "Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful."

Albert Einstein: "Try not to become a man of success but rather try to become a man of value."

And for our very own wabbit wisdom, there's Bugs Bunny: "I don't ask questions. I just have fun! Don't take life too seriously. You'll never get out of it alive!"

I processed my DTI registration a few days ago. Next week I will be getting my mayor's permit. And then I will be applying for legit documents and receipts. For the life of me, I can no longer avoid this. It's like getting pregnant and realizing that you have very little options and a whole lot of obligations. I AM marrying this job.

Does this make me happy? You want the truth?
I am not so sure. I want the outlet. I like earning for myself. But I still don't want to be married ... even to a job. I love my freedom way too much.