Self employed contractor, had two full time employees last year, and got by with a sub contractor this year. Now I teamed up with a buddy who is also self employed, we should have enough work to get us through the winter, and I should be able to hire on a couple employees again come spring.

I own a tree service.

Self-employed with family of 5 teenagers and I can shut down for 4 mths so I can enjoy a for feeling trapping season. Hopefully top out this season with a monster catch.,1500+

Started current businees in 93 and still going , but barely. I think government has about done away with legitamate small business 38 cents on the dollar for comp , with no claims in past 5 years is getting a bit out of hand.

I owned a custom cabinet shop for 5 yrs before shutting it down to go into the family business which is custom steel fabricating for mostly the mining and timber industries and we also build crane booms, handrails, and walkways for marine vessels. We are down to about 40 employees with the layoffs in the last year. Oh and I sell trapping supplies.

self-employed cage trap maker, been building them for close to 15 years and still don't know what I'm doing...... John

4 buisness 12 employees Jiffylube, Carwash, Landscape, and parking lot cleaning. 14-15 hrs daily plus an hour drive both ways. im not complaining but at times i question my sanity. working 8-5 5 days a week would be a vacation but i have a hard time dealing with big corporate politics. so off to work i go.

ADC trapper for about 30 years. Turned it over to the boy and semi retired now. Keep bees if that counts.

Been self employed sence February.

I take care of aquariums in doctors offices and places of business, and farm coral.

I am semi-self employed. I have a windshield repair business that I hope to grow to a full-time business. I also serve civil papers(not much fun but good money). These days you have to have more irons in the fire to keep the home fires burning.

Self employed here as well. Full time mink rancher. I also operated a trap supply store during trapping season and I am also a commisioned fur agent for wild and ranch fur for NAFA in the Atlantic provinces. In total we employ approx 10 full time employees and several seasonal/student employees. Self employment is the only way for me, it is way more work than I ever dreamed of but much more satisfing as well. I do work on the side for NAFA mostly just to get out and talk to the trappers and ranchers. Also helps keep me up to date on the fur markets and trends since I have very little time for trapping any more.

Im self employed. Started a lumber and millwork business with help from my parents outta high school. kept it going though college and all that good stuff.

have been going a tid over 5 years now. just and my dad work there. we have had some extra help come in when needed.

its pretty slow now, the building and economic growth are in the crapper.

Self employed Independent Financial Advisor. Used to work under a corporate logo but got tired of the mercenary attitude.

Just turned 30 last August. Been self employed since I was 21. Some days I wouldn't trade it for the world. Most days I feel like I'm carrying the world.

See sig below.

ol' dad

Self Employed 2 employees

Two businesses, one employee( seasonal )He goes on unemployment for the winter months while I am away trapping.

2 businesses w/ 50 employees total. Finally got the people on board or promoted to where I can trap for the entire season including out of state trips. Took 15 years and lots of carrying the world on my shoulders to get to that place and still make my salary while trapping. May be starting a 3rd business in Feb/Mar once I've had enough of the trapping.