How many of you are entrepreneurs?

[Csandnugget]

I'm thinking of going for it - but am also a bit disheartened and wonder if I will b able to pull it off
- I need to know how many of you out there run your own businesses?

[businessowner1]

I run 3 business and am setting up a new business.Im bipolar
Better than a nine to five , i can take a few houres off here and there which i cannot do in a normal job

[pawsone]

i have run my own business for four years, and im also a single parent. it is hard, but it is very rewarding, and you are free to work when and how you want to, with no one telling you what to do. i run a pet care business, and had a bad episode so i know have three people working for me and i take a commission - im just deciding wheter to close my grooming parlour.... yes the cycles happen, make sure you have support,  but id say go for it :)

[Csandnugget]

Thanks for taking the time to write back. I really appreciate it.

Lots to think about..

Any more suggestions or examples peeps?

[Yvette BG]

Interesting question and thanks everyone for their responses. I agree wholeheartedly with Xilia31.

My Dad, who is 84, was diagnosed with probable dementia and possible bipolar disorder in Feb. of this year as the result of a memory assessment. They recommended more complete neuropsychological testing, but he refused.

Anyway, he was very successful for many years as a business owner (about 40 years); at one point a multi-millionaire. He was always a great ideas person, quite charismatic with and well-liked by customers, and worked like a big dog. His business did really well as long as he had a strong and competent right-hand person who handled the employees (hiring, firing, etc.) and also kept the money decisions in check (he's a spendthrift). When he no longer had an anchor person, he hired people without screening them and they ended up stealing from him. He also failed to pay his taxes, spent money he didn't have on inventory and on extravagant and exotic store renovations; he even rolled his 401K retirement fund into the business and lost the business as well as his retirement money.

So, maybe a partnership with a person that does not have bipolar disease and whose skill set supplements/complements yours would be a safer and happier bet than going solo. Just make sure to get a good lawyer to draw up the business agreements and terms and make sure they include provisions for what happens if the partners go their separate ways. (My father also fused with business at one point and that was proved really bad since he did not get proper consultation and wasn't thinking clearly at the time.)  

Good luck,
Yvette    

[Fizzy74]

Hi there, I have my own typing business which I have had for three years now, there are times when my bipolar creeps in and has lost me a lot of work, but at the same time it has also been one of the most rewarding things I've done.  

One thing I learnt recently is that people with bipolar tend to be very hard workers, which is to my benefit as I am a legal secretary by trade so tend to put my head down and get on with it.  

It can be challenging, but like I said also rewarding.  

[BP2PROFESSIONAL]

Hey I'm an Entrepreneur,

Have my own Not-for-profit I've started up on the side, came from one of my many ideas.  I think an Entrepreneur is the perfect job for someone who is Bipolar.   Especially the highly creative side.

We are the idea's people, great for start ups, just need someone to go ahead with them really.

Wish I could just sell my ideas as I could never get them all done.  In fact I'm yet to have any succeed.  Doesn't mean I shouldn't stop trying.

One day, one of them will come in.  Just need to keep control of the costs until then.

[paranoid_cataclysm]

Uhm... I think they were in their 30's or 40's.  I'm not sure because I don't even know their age to be honest. lol  I'm just guessing based off how old they look versus how long ago it sounded like they quit doing it.

[Csandnugget]

Hi Xila,
You just reminded me of a website that has some tips on jobs for bipolars.
I will post it in a  few moments.

Paranoid, thanks for your response!
How old was this person when the depression caught up with him?

Will anyone else please add their thoughts/opinions on bipolars running businesses?
I'm trying to get a whole picture from all sides

[paranoid_cataclysm]

I know someone who ran multiple businesses and had various jobs as well if I remember right and they have I think schizoaffective disorder which is schizophrenia + mood disorder.  Like the rest of my memory of this, it's very hazy and I can't remember why they stopped exactly.  I think maybe they had a breakdown finally.  I want to say the depression finally caught up with them but I can't remember, honestly.

[Csandnugget]

Thank you so much Xila, what you say I can relate to...
Do you also get bored very quickly?

Who out there think that bipolars should rather steer away from their own businesses?

[Xila31]

I had this great idea for an internet business a few months ago. It required very little capital to start, etc. I was nervous it was just my mania telling me it was a good idea, but I went ahead and tried it for a couple of months. Of course due to my cycling and difficulties I have with things, it didn't work out for me. But, i'm guessing it was not really a good idea to start out after all. Since it was low risk to begin with, I didn't lose much.

But, that's just me. I don't know if I could run my own business unless it was something very simple that was profitable very quickly, which doesn't happen often in this life. I have a tendancy to be overwhelmed very easily.