Working 9-5 or working for yourself - which is better ?
By recycledgoth
@recycledgoth (9894)
May 8, 2007 4:48am CST
While socialising with friends over the weekend, a mate made an interesting suggestion to help with my dire financial circumstances. I have always made a lot of my own clothes, also made goth clothes and costumes for live action role players. I have a good sewing machine and the imagination and skill required to produce some good quality outfits. I have access to cheap fabrics, and once the house is cleared of clutter, I have the space to work too.
Having made quite a lot of costumes in the past, my mate suggested that I go into business for myself producing costumes and goth clothes for people. It's an interesting idea and one that has a lot of merit for me, but I am more than a little cautious as I can't afford to waste any money right now, and have little in the way of capital. However, the more I think about it, the better the idea becomes. I know the gap in the market for both the costumes and the goth clothes is for the*larger lady* and I have a load of patterns for medieval style dresses in larger sizes.
I know I have the imagination to produce some unique outfits but finding the markets could be difficult. The live action role players are always looking for costume so I could sell to them fairly easily, and the curvy goth girls I know could probably spread the word, but I couldn't really see myself doing this on a full time basis really.
So I am asking people here, what do you think. Is it better to work 9-5 for someone else or work for yourself?
9 people like this
19 responses
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
8 May 07
Okay--let me ask you a few questions...Do you enjoy sewing up your goth clothes and costumes? Do you get a real satisfaction from it? Do you feel your achieving and accomplishing something? Does it make you feel good? Does it give you your sense of bliss? If you answered yes to the majority of these questions then I say go for it.
I'm building up a home-base business myself with my photography work..it's still in the planning stages and it does take a lot of effort..I also happen to do craftwork...that's a pic of my teddy bear --just one of the Native American based crafts I do--now that I WOULDN"T want to do as a full time business since I would feel I would be on an assembly line type work schedule, and photography is my main thing...but I do have a "shop" page set up at Etsy.com, where I can post and sell at my own pace...I also want to set up on e-bay too.
I've always wanted to work for myself...I can choose my hours, how long..although being a natural workacholic I probably do wind up working more hours than most...but the great thing in running a home based business is like, heck if you want to work until the wee small hours of the morning, why not?----and I often do. I never ever wanted to work 9 to 5...it's just not me...I would feel a bit caged to be honest
I say.....Go for it! ;-)
1 person likes this
@recycledgoth (9894)
•
9 May 07
I must admit I do enjoy being creative and producing unique designs. I get a kick out of seeing the end result and even more when I see people wearing my costumes too. I guess I need to get my butt in gear and get started :-) Thanks hun
@PurpleTeddyBear (6685)
• Canada
8 May 07
Hi Hun,
Their are advantages and disadvantages to doing both. I honestly think that you should try and do both. The times your on assignment, work for that person and the times your off make a fw things. Then if/when you get full time work you can have the money to afford materials and such for your business. Just do it in your free time and make a few extra bucks. I personally would try and do both so if one doesn't work you always have the other to fall back on. Just my suggestion anyhow. Good Luck hun, your a smart lady I'm sure you will figure out what is/works best for you!
1 person likes this
@recycledgoth (9894)
•
9 May 07
I'm learning more and more towards this idea hun :-) The days I do not have agency work can be used for sewing, a win-win situation. I think I will have to check out the fabric wholesalers again soon
1 person likes this
@PurpleTeddyBear (6685)
• Canada
10 May 07
Yes hun, that's what I was saying ... the days you don't have agency work you can sew and the days you do have agency work you know you will get paid for. That does look like a win-win situation. Good Luck Hun! P.S. I'd love to see some of your goth stuff! You can make me some stuff if you want *winks* hehehe just teasing!
1 person likes this
@Bizziebod (3497)
•
15 May 07
I would definately urge you to work for yourself, I do and it's so much more rewarding! I think you have a brilliant idea there as there are not many goth clothes out there for larger women - and the ones that do pop up on ebay go for a small fortune! I know if you did do something like that, then I could put at least a couple of clients your way - let us know if you decide to go ahead with it!
1 person likes this
@recycledgoth (9894)
•
15 May 07
Hey thanks hun, clients are always welcome :-) I have had a long talk with my partner and he feels that if I can work evenings and weekends on the clothes, I stand a good chance of getting fair prices for my creations. As soon as I have some outfits ready for sale, I will let everyone know. Thanks again :-)
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
8 May 07
Yea. Why not? Of course it is better to work for yourself. Be your own boss!
1 person likes this
@recycledgoth (9894)
•
8 May 07
Hi there Wizard. Thanks hun. I have been thinking about it for a while and it is risky, but then on reflection I guess nothing ventured nothing gains.
@easy888 (10405)
• Australia
8 May 07
Hello.recycledgoth,how is your work?
It is hard to say as each have it s advantages.When you are working for someone, you do not have to worry too much as you will have stable income,you will only need to take care of your responsibility. If you are working for yourself and having your own business,you will have to take care of every small matters of your business and you may not have stable income,you will always need to think of many ways to try to cut down all sort of expenses for your business,it is the hardest thing to run a business.
@recycledgoth (9894)
•
8 May 07
Morning Easy888, I don't have an assignment this week so I'm back at home and on here instead :-) Temp work isn't particularly steady right now so I was thinking about maybe making costumes and clothes as a way of earning. It is risky though.
@whyaskq (7523)
• Singapore
8 May 07
Working 9-5 for someone spares you from many headaches. One of which is financial stability. You only need to work and not worry about approaching payday. It is your boss who need to worry.
If you are working for yourself, you will need to ensure that come payday, there is pay for yourself. So it depends on how confident you are in generating the income.
If money is a secondary concern, be your own boss is something worth considering. Perhaps you can work 9-5 and still do some work for yourself, on a smaller scale. In this way, you have the best of both worlds come month-end. You get your pay from
your 9-5 job and at the same time, you build up your business, network and market share from the part-time hours you put in on your own business.
1 person likes this
@recycledgoth (9894)
•
9 May 07
:-) I'm looking more towards this idea now, if I can combine both it may well be the best plan.
1 person likes this
@pagli84 (1850)
• Netherlands
8 May 07
i think working for yourself. that way you can work when you want and how you want. you dont have to answer to anybody else. i find 9-5 jobs to be very boring and unmotivating. i think if you worked for yourself you'd be more motivated because its your own business. the thing is that the risks of working for yourself are higher because all the problems associated with the business fall back onto you.
1 person likes this
@recycledgoth (9894)
•
9 May 07
The 9 to 5 routine can be almost soul-destroying on occasion. As a temp I have found that work is sporadic at best, so I never know from one day to the next if I will be working or sitting at home too. I guess using my time at home could be lucrative.
@rhinoboy (2129)
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14 May 07
I would only say, give it a try and see how it goes. It may not provide a full-time job, not many cottage industries or hobby-jobs can. While you;re temping with the agencies though, you should give it a try by giving however much time you can afford to it.
As you say, the role players and goth girls provide a small market, so if you enjoy making the costmes there's no harm in making a few quid even if it goes no further than that.
1 person likes this
@recycledgoth (9894)
•
14 May 07
I reckon it's worth a go, so all I have to do now is clear the big table, dig out the sewing machine and get stuck in :-)
@mdchennai (2129)
• India
9 May 07
Well friend, i feel that you should continue your daily work and side by you should start this business. As your business develops and you find shortage of time then you can leave the usual work and can spend you full time in this business. I am sure that your business will come out in a good shape. ALL THE BEST :)
@recycledgoth (9894)
•
9 May 07
Thanks for the vote of confidence hun. I think this could be a good idea
@princeworthy (1909)
• United States
9 May 07
I would much rather work for myself than for someone else. I wish I had a talent like yours! I bet you could have success just selling you creations on Ebay. Something to think about! Let me know if you do decide to sell somewhere online. I love goth clothing and when I get my bills caught up I will be interested in buying some. Good Luck to you hon!
@recycledgoth (9894)
•
9 May 07
LOL thansk hun. Having read all the responses here I think I am going to give this a try.
@mummymo (23706)
•
8 May 07
f the costume making is something you are good at and enjoy but not quite confident enough to start full time why not try combining with your agency work and seeing how things go in the future! When the agency has no work for you you may still be able to earn cash and when they do you may be run off your feet but satisfied snd quids in!!! Let us know what you decide sweetheart! xxx
1 person likes this
@recycledgoth (9894)
•
9 May 07
Thanks hun, at the moment I am checking what's in the bank to see if I have sufficient spare cash for some more fabrics. I plan to make up a few bits and pieces over the next few days and contact some of my friends to see if they would like to pass the word that I am manufacturing :-)
@PunkyMcPunk (1477)
• Canada
8 May 07
Well!! I would love to buy your clothing. I am not a skinny girl and I love goth type clothing. I also love medival gowns etc... (peasant type) because they have a nice flow to them.
I would definitely buy clothes from you. Why not get some designs and make a website and post them. I know a lot of friends that are looking for places to buy this type of clothing.
You cuold make a very good business online doing this! I know that you could.
1 person likes this
@recycledgoth (9894)
•
9 May 07
What a great idea, I didn't think about having my own website, I will look into that idea asap hun. I do feel that is a gap in the market for the larger ladies, and the clothes that are available are usually not always affordable. Hmmmm watch this space I think :-)
@Hart57 (359)
• United States
8 May 07
It's a matter of personal preference. There are advantages and disadvantages to both. I personally prefer the autonomy, freedom and flexibility of being self-employed or an independent contractor.
Have you considered selling your clothing on eBay? You might give it some thought. I'm no longer active, but at one time I was a power seller on eBay; I sold gently used and vintage clothing. I often worked 80+ hours a week, but it didn't feel like work because I enjoyed it and I was the boss; it was my choice to put in all those hours. Anyway, good luck on your possible new venture.
1 person likes this
@recycledgoth (9894)
•
9 May 07
Thanks for that hun, I may well list some of my creations onto eBay in the near future. I could probably manage to produce two or three outfits every week too.
@luay673 (153)
• United Arab Emirates
8 May 07
there are advantages and disadvantages in this matter.
in working 9-5,
advantages - you can have a regular pay, your tension will end up to 5,
disadvantages - you have a boss to follow, you can't do exactly what you want
working for yourself,
advantages - you can do whatever you want in your own time and management, incomes will be all yours
disadvantages - risks are all yours too, tensions will catch you until you get your own business running smoothly
if i have the capacity of building my own business, i mean if i have the capital, talent why not make my own business.
1 person likes this
@recycledgoth (9894)
•
8 May 07
I'm coming round to the idea of working evenings and weekends and producing some stock, then I might put things onto eBay and see how they sell. I would like to be able to say this would make a big difference to my income but I still feel cautious.
1 person likes this
@ElicBxn (63233)
• United States
8 May 07
You might also see if you can get an ebay "shop" for your work. You post a few finished products & maybe you can also advertize custom work.
I never got into the "goth" look, but I don't like tight things, never have. I do like the look, just wasn't MY thing.
1 person likes this
@recycledgoth (9894)
•
8 May 07
Not a bad idea hun, thanks. Not all goth clothese are3 *tight* I generally wear long velvet medieval style dresses, fitted bodice and flared skirt type thing.
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
9 May 07
It's great that you have a talent such as you do. It all depends on how far you want to take it. Some people are workaholics and driven. Others are not. I think you probably answered your own question when you said you really couldn't see yourself doing it on a full-time basis. Unless you are willing to delegate some of the responsibility, continue on a part-time basis. Good luck to you.
1 person likes this
@leeesa (884)
• United States
9 May 07
You must be very ambitious to work for yourself. You need discipline as well. It's a lot easier to work for someone else and just collect a paycheck every week or 2. But, it's much more rewarding to own your own business. I do both. I work full time for a company and I have a home fragrance business. In addition to 40 hours in the corporate world, I work about 30 hours on my business. It's tough, but eventually I would like to wean myself of the corporate job. If I were you, I'd test the waters by setting up a website and selling your custom clothing on the side. If it takes off, you will be better positioned to expand and focus on it full time. In the mean time, keep a steady job for money to pay the bills. This is what I do and it's working well for me.
1 person likes this
@Sherry12 (2472)
• United States
9 May 07
I think if you have the opportunity to work for yourself you will be much happier. You can work your own hours and you'll probably make more money. The only concern would be insurance and benefits that might be provided it you are working for someone else.
1 person likes this
@Gaurav_Aggarwal (136)
• India
9 May 07
I feel that there is nothing like a self employed person...as you do wahtever u want at your own timings and you dont have to report to anybody else...so at times you can strecth yourself and also you can enjoy and relax the otehr times......well everybody has their own opinions as somebody like 9-5 job more exciting as it made them work enough and can get relaxation afterwards...so it all depends...
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