career predicament...
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- chilaquil
Hi people. I hardly ever start threads, but I wanted to get the opinion of some colleagues here. I am about to start a business that is completely unrelated to design, but it's something that interests me. I've been struggling and bumping into brick walls to get this off the ground. Finally all the things are in place for me to do it and I decided to go ahead with it a couple weeks ago. I've already secured the location.
(I should say I've been freelancing for a couple years. Worked FT before that).
But a few minutes ago, I got a phone call from a new media firm in my country whose owner I've been in contact via email for about a couple months. We've been exchanging emails just because we like to discuss flash and web design.
Anyway, this guy calls me up and offers me a job. A really good job as leading art director overseeing a couple of accounts on major brands for all of Latin America. His firm is growing by leaps and bounds and his nearest competitor just got bought by WPP Group (they're the media giant that owns Y&R, Ogilvy, and JWT).
Anyway, the job may not sound like a big deal to some of you, but here you don't get those chances too often.
But I turned the job down... I told him I was about to start a business and that I couldn't do it. Now I'm wondering whether I did the right thing... I can always call him back and said I changed my mind, but on the other hand is the other stuff I want to do.
It always seems to happen this way... you look and pound the pavement for an opportunity and nothing. Then, when you can't take them, all these opportunities fly right past you. Like with girls... when you're on your own, they're not interested. But as soon as you have a girlfriend, THEN all girls like you all of a sudden...You guys think I should take it, or pursue my other endeavor...? The other endeavor is not as glamorous and is riskier, but may be more fulfilling in the long run, both from a financial standpoint and from an emotional one.
Ok... sorry to rant...
- cinder0
There is nothing in the world like job security.
You can always start your thing later.
Who knows what will happen in the future with the economy, etc.
Starting your own thing is really hard and takes a LOT of work.
I would say take the killer job . . .
but if you're secure enough, and you have The Urge to do your own thing . . .
who knows
Pray?
=)
- JazX0
dude, with all honestly, it really is hard to turn down one and take another, because you are always going to have doubts. Sucks, good luck though :)
- chilaquil0
thanks cinder... I feel a rather strong pull from both directions, so it's a difficult decision.
although after I visited your site, the words there seemed like a bad omen...
just tell me that wasn't meant for me..
:)
- chilaquil0
JazX you're right too. Whatever decision I take, I'll always wonder what the other one would've been like. Specially if things don't turn out well.
I hate that...
- BonSeff0
take the job man
raise some money and truly figure out your business plan for your personal endeavor. unless you have already, but if you were really confident you wouldn't question it here on nt right?
but i'll bet starting yer own business is real exciting
- 800X6000
take the job. life is short.
- chilaquil0
I *was* confident... that is until I got that phone call. It totally made me question everything.
800x600... I know life is short. That is precisely why I question the other side of things... I've worked full time before and although money was ok, I was sometimes bummed out on it. I got kinda sick of selling stuff I didn't believe in to people that didn't need it. I also got sick of office politics, and that's why I decided to go off into another line of business.
Why can't I just decide between chocolate or strawberry ice cream like when I was a kid. Those seemed like tough choices back then.
Oh, BTW, the job would imply I'd have to move to another city where I don't know anybody. Well, then again... I've been in that situation a few times.
- exador0
take the job chil!
the worst possible thing that could happen is that you collect some great paychecks and get even more work experience...
the best possible thing, is that you absolutely love the job, the people and the new environment...
definitely take the job...
there's nothing quite like a stable decent paycheck...
go for it man...call the guy back and accept...
you'll definitely thank yourself for it later...
:)
cheers dude...and congrats...
on a depressing day of war, it's nice to hear that some folks are getting job offers :)
- badzenjt0
i recently learned how to read bird entrails, it sounds stupid, i know, but it has helped me out immensely in the last couple of years. I feel confident in every decision.
- Sapphire0
$$$ will make anyone happy, even you
- Voutje0
Satrt your own, if you do not do it now the changes are that in the future when you have kids or so you never are going to do it. There is no better mistake/succes then your own! I had to make the exact same dicision 3 years ago and even when it is sometimes hard to get your money and everything it was the best decision i ever made...
- Marley0
Start on your own - for sure.
I have just been through EXACTLy the same predicament... had just received delivery of all my stationery for my new company when I got the phone call offering me the job of my dreams....
after much soul searching and heartache though I realise that ACTUALLY the job of my dreams was to go it alone. Even if it doesn';t bring me as much money to startw ith it beings me much more happiness.
And in the last three weeks since I mad ethat decision I have got myself two more really major clients that I didn't expect.
Life is a risk, but the hardest thing is to make a decision. Once you decide, living with your choice is easy.I wish you all the best and hope you follow your heart. There is no greater satisfaction that starting something off yourself and watching it grow. Good luck.
- unknown0
"The other endeavor is not as glamorous and is riskier, but may be more fulfilling in the long run, both from a financial standpoint and from an emotional one.
You answered yourself. But my view is that one should allways fulfill oneself; that is true happiness.
- subSTANCE0
hmmm... well I don't know you or work... but let's assume you were offered this job because of the fact you have obvious skill...
now if that is the case... and you DO have skill... and you are interested in starting your own business ANYWAY... why not go for it?... use the job offer as a confidence booster... in the long run you could be doing yourself a huge favor... and it could be SO much more rewarding!
- JazX0
just wait a week after War, if you are in USA, then bam jobbie job
- chilaquil0
thanks guys... I appreciate all of your input. I'm still thinking.
- unknown0
follow your heart, not your head.