I’m not sure this answers any of your questions but it might be an interesting data point… it’s been 9 years now since I’ve worked in a salaried position for someone else and I doubt I could ever have a “real job” again… my life is too varied now; if I went back to a 9-5 I would probably have to quit my swim team, curtail my travel dramatically, get up at a decent hour etc. and that just wouldn’t be nearly as much fun as I’m having now.

however, I’ve noticed one thing recently that makes me long for a real job… the chance to be a part of something really huge. here’s an example that I’m sure you’ll appreciate: when I first played with Virgin America’s in-flight entertainment system, my reaction was “this is cool but I wish I could have been there from the start to help them with the overall user experience.” or when I first went on Soarin’ Over California, Disney’s incredible hang-gliding ride, I thought “wouldn’t it be awesome to be a part of the team responsible for creating all these cool attractions?”

same thing for the iPhone, Google’s new Chrome browser, etc.– you get the idea. (and while you could make the argument that I can/am changing the world in a different way with my small company, I suppose that’s true, but it’s just not the same.)

so that’s the biggest complaint I have about being an entrepreneur. I love what I’m doing… but I’ll never play a significant role in the next Amazing World-Changing Thing from Google, Apple, Pixar or Walt Disney Imagineering until I’m ready to go suck it up and get a real job.

but I’m just not ready to give up my freedom yet. ya know?

best,
Eric

http://www.flashlightworthybooks.com/
Flashlight Worthy book recommendations
“Books so good, they’ll keep you up past your bedtime”

I have entrepreneurial ADD lol.

One of the things I would ask is how to scale businesses; the marketing side of things rather than technical aspects (which will of course vary from business to business). How do you move, in the case of a website, to tens-of-thousand visitors a month? and how to convert them into regular readers? into buyers?

I’ve been in business for myself for 15 years. My biggest question and challenge is how to grow the business without it taking over my life. It seems to me that even “passive” forms of income require lots of nurturing and care to produce any real income.

I assume the key to having a business and still having personal freedom includes looking at automation and delegation, and I would be interested in anything else you’d add to the list.

Isabel
http://www.parlancetraining.com

Isabel

I’ve been pondering the idea of getting my own business going (best to start these things as early as possible that should give me time to learn *read screw it up* before really making it big) however i have no idea how i would go about turning my ideas into useable cashflow and the last thing i want is to wind up getting caught out on something silly like tax or some govornment regulation, so how do i start without getting caught in red tape?

I’m a serial entrepreneur and have been for years. I have lots of experiences and insights to share and even have the concept of my future blog, etc on paper. My biggest challenge is the technology of it all. I know nothing of web design, html, etc so I need to put together a site that will literally require my writing and any photos I wish to post. Your thoughts on this topic would be invaluable to myself and I’m sure tons of others out there as well.

Thanks!

Matt

Is it possible for people to do both? I know a number of people who have conventional day jobs, and have self-employed ventures outside of work for various end goals.

After that, I think the next big issues are how to start generating consistent traffic and income provided you have a viable idea. I know many use blogging and e-networking for traffic, and ads for income, however both of these are also big hurdles. How do I get enough traffic? And if expecting ad income, how do I keep it consistent enough?

Lastly, for those with an idea and the technical know how, the hard part is finding the time to actual put in the leg work to actually create content and generate the traffic. I know from personal experience and as a person currently working a “real job” that once the day is done sometimes my brain is fried and it is hard to concentrate on other outside personal goals. So to answer your second question, I guess the confusing thing for those with “real jobs” is how people have been able to actually jump ship and make that actual transition while remaining above water, so to speak.

And I agree with Anca above, those other little issues of healthcare, 401K, and maintaining financial responsibility to those who are dependent upon you are big issues for many.

I’ve always read online about dropshipping. Is this a legitimate way to make money?

Thanks!