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Zalatix

(8,994 posts)

20. Not everyone can do it, and I was one lucky stroke away from homelessness.

Reply to Ken Burch (Reply #9)

Sat Sep 8, 2012, 10:51 PM

Sep 2012

Ted Turner, who is infinitely more successful than me, once wrote an article about how he struck it rich, and how the industry has closed the doors to others who might try to enter. His words ring true to a far greater scale than I believe he realized back then.

I wish I could find that article.

Success should be defined by how wide you leave the door for others to follow behind you.

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35 replies

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Highlight:

How realistic is it to think you can save yourself economically with a "start-up"? [View all] Ken Burch Sep 2012 OP

i remember reading somewhere that 90% of small businesses fail in the first year. unblock Sep 2012 #1

Yep, I've heard this from right wingers treestar Sep 2012 #2

There's also an implication there Ken Burch Sep 2012 #10

A good concept, executed well can make it... pipoman Sep 2012 #3

We used to be a nation of small businessmen/farmers... Junkdrawer Sep 2012 #4

Define start up and . . . abumbyanyothername Sep 2012 #5

I wasn't talking about professional practice services, like the ones in your first paragraph Ken Burch Sep 2012 #7

It is possible for the right person Nikia Sep 2012 #6

Weigh the odds, folks. Zalatix Sep 2012 #8

Glad that you DID make it. Ken Burch Sep 2012 #9

Not everyone can do it, and I was one lucky stroke away from homelessness. Zalatix Sep 2012 #20

I've started three small businesses... k2qb3 Sep 2012 #15

Well under a million? pipoman Sep 2012 #18

Right-wingers want everyone working as self-employed contractors. limpyhobbler Sep 2012 #11

And they also want most people to have to keep moving from town to town Ken Burch Sep 2012 #14

Most small businesses FAIL in the first year. I've had mine for kestrel91316 Sep 2012 #12

One of the reasons small businesses "create" so many jobs quaker bill Sep 2012 #13

Anybody can try, but if you need to make a living figure on putting in 100 hours a week. dimbear Sep 2012 #16

my first startup failed, my mother's first two failed, her third paid off, and she's on #4 NightWatcher Sep 2012 #17

Not realistic for most people at all. jp11 Sep 2012 #19

It shouldn't even matter. randome Sep 2012 #21

I think it falls between 'winning the lottery' and 'struck by lightning'. Edweird Sep 2012 #22

according to statistics from the Small Business Administration about 50% survive five years Douglas Carpenter Sep 2012 #23

Zero. I don't want to run a fucking business. GoCubsGo Sep 2012 #24

Not-exactly a "start-up" but my own independent distributorship Samantha Sep 2012 #25

In a poor economy it's a poor idea unless you figure out Cleita Sep 2012 #26

About 30 years ago... Speck Tater Sep 2012 #27

I have two small businesses currently. Have started 5. Made money on 4. One I lost $3000. kelly1mm Sep 2012 #28

"BECOME the owner". Riiiiiiiiiight. HughBeaumont Sep 2012 #29

Just as possible as it ever was... RichardRay Sep 2012 #30

not realistic at all JI7 Sep 2012 #31

Done it. Loved it. Will do it again. ZenLefty Sep 2012 #32

My husband's small business failed Freddie Sep 2012 #33

I ran my own small business for a while nopedontlikeitatall Sep 2012 #34

20% was the going rate for Tech Start-ups One_Life_To_Give Sep 2012 #35