Earlier there was a thread asking how many are union members. How many of you have your own business and are self employed? I don't mean you tune up a few cars after work or run a trapline on your days off, but run a business to pay the bills and keep a roof over your head twelve months a year?

Do you have any employees? How long have you been in business?

I am self a employed commercial fisherman and when the season is over I used to have a home maintenance business (handyman) with 6 or 7 clients. I gave up my bond, a $1000.00, a couple of years ago and won't renew it unless things get real bad. I don't have any employees except when I crab or we have a good salmon season. The rest of the time I fish alone.

Who else is self employed?

I am.

I was until a couple of years ago. I wired data, and telepone networks.Now I work in IT for a hospital. The hours are better, and the benfits/time off are better. Some weeks the money is better too.

I've got 3 businesses that keep me employed steady. Been at it 24+ years and have no employees. My wife works with me and also does the billing etc....but that's for "free". My son also pitches in when needed.

IMO...you'll work harder and longer than any "regular" 9-5 job....because you have to. Benefits...LOL....I pay out of my own pocket. Unemployment benefits...LOL....work harder and longer to get more work.

I'm also self employeed, have six employees at present.

LOL Jeremy, of course the hours are better. I used to carry a clipping in my wallet, it said, "Work hard 8 hours a day, 5 days a week and save your money so you can buy your own business and work hard 12 hours a day, 6 days a week!"

Ole Hawkeye, why don't you go up and be on The Deadliest Catch?Some hard work there.

You mean I am supposed to work 8 hours a day? DON'T tell the boss! haha

I do, I have a directional boring company. This time of year it usually starts to slow down but this year its stopped, unless I want to do a job for nothing. I bid a job a couple months ago and I cut my price just to get the job and stay busy, that still didnt work, lost that job by almost 100,000. I will just stay home and trap this winter.

I am. 1 employee. 28 years.

Two businesses and no employees.

Fished the Bering, probably before you were born. You see the hard work, you don't see the boring part.

I am. One full time employee.

Self-employed Rancher/Tractor driver/fence builder...

Do none of them very well....

What does a directional boring company do? I'm thinking it has to do with pipelines or something.

seven years Electrical contractor. 2 employees at present. Grain farm (1500 acres) no employees, shared labor with relatives.

Paul, culvert trapping and running around talking to your friends at conventions while Mrs. Paul does all the work don't count! Ooops, can't believe I said that!

Yes, I put anything from gas lines to cable TV lines underground. Its drilling a tunnel instead of opening a trench.

I'll bet that takes some venture capitol to get started. Probably expensive equipment, huh?

Started a construction buisness building cell tower sites in 98 and averaged 10-15 employees year round. Sold the buisness in 2007. Now all my buisness is cash and no employees. Horse tradeing, breaking, and training, raise cows, and trap. Thinking of getting a real job if i can find part time or 3rd shift so i can finish my house quicker without borrowing....shane