Tips on being Self-Employed | 5 Things No One Told ME About Being My Own Boss

Striking out on your own comes with challenges and wins. Today I am sharing tips on being self-employed, and 5 things no one told me about being my own boss!

“I am in partnership with HealthPlan USA and they have provided me with compensation for this campaign. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.”

Tips on being Self-Employed | 5 Things No One Told Me About Being My Own Boss

On October 15th, 2012, I packed up my office, said goodbye to my staff and friends, and stepped out into the land of entrepreneurship.

I didn’t know much but knew I was ready for something different. I loved my job and my staff, and working with at-risk youth was something that was just right. 

However, I wanted something else that would allow my creativity and expressions to flow freely, totally unchecked.

With the push and support from Derrick and the boys, I stepped into my blogging gig full-time.

But, it wasn’t just about being a full-time blogger, it was about creating something of my own. 

Six years later, I’m still here. It hasn’t been an easy road, and so many times, I wanted to give up and go back to my job.

Don’t get me wrong here; there is nothing wrong with having a 9-5. What matters is doing something you love, something you are passionate about, and something that excites you each and every day. 

This opportunity has allowed me to learn and grow, make great friends, network, work with some of my dream brands, and learn how to be an entrepreneur. 

This was my first rodeo at being self-employed, but I had a great example. My dad started his own construction company shortly after my parents were married.

I watched him hustle hard, bringing in new clients, hiring and firing employees, and juggling all the demands of owning a business. If he could do it, I knew I could. 

Tips on being Self-Employed

However, there are a few things I’ve had to learn along the way. 

You have to be disciplined. There is no one standing over your shoulders, saying, “Do you get those TPS reports done?” Since I had great organizational skills, I was covered in keeping up with running multiple websites. But I did lose focus along the way. What finally worked for me is time-blocking. I do everything in time blocks, and it has made a huge difference in my workflow and business. 

It can get lonely. Since I work from home, I have no one to talk to unless Chance counts. I do miss chatting it up with my co-workers and having lunch dates. I have made several friends through blogging, and weekly chats with many of them about what’s going on in our world and to just talk. 

You don’t work, you don’t eat. Literally. There is no clocking in or a salaried position. You have to hustle hard every day. Depending on how you work your business, you will get to the point where you have residual income, but you are still hustling daily.

No more benefits. Gone are vacation days, 401K, sick days, and insurance. All these things you have to do on your own. You also have to make sure you set money aside for taxes and all of the other tedious things that come with being self-employed. 

What about insurance? This was one of the main things I was concerned about when leaving my job. Having insurance is a priority. For my parents, my mom was a school teacher and had excellent health benefits. When I quit my job, Derrick carried us on his plan. However, we still found ourselves paying out of pocket for health expenses.

Here’s why HealthPlan USA works. For a low price of $16.48 per month, you get access to quite a few benefits, including dental and vision discounts.

A HealthPlan USA membership does not replace your insurance but provides you with discount programs to help you cover the gap between what your insurance pays and what you have to pay. Basically, you’re saving money. 

And wouldn’t it be nice to have a virtual doctor’s visit, knowing that it is covered, and you skip out on going to an office with other sick people? 

You can learn more about this membership plan and get started today by visiting their website.