I've also seen friends ask friends to work for free (nothing wrong with this), but soon realize that is how their friend makes their living and time is money. Money is what keeps peoples mortgage payments on time. There fore working for free is mostly impossible. Although I've done it on occassion, but more as a good will gesture to and mainly on discount, and less for free. (This doesn't mean I NEVER do work for free. I've done work for both charities and family for nothing more then a smile.)
So in retrospect I've put a wonderful list together of WHY I enjoy owning my own marketing/design/developement/social media/research/strategy business aka freelancing.
The upside to working from home (in no definate order):
- Happy hour could potentially be ANY HOUR, as long as you don't miss meetings and get your work done. (Emphasis on get your work done.)
- Pajama Mondays and all other days that end in Y, as long as you leave for meetings and social networking events in more appropriate attire. (preferably something classy that you would be comfortable wearing to sunday church or an interview - this doesn't mean I never get dressed.)
- You have your tooth brush nearby after breakfast, lunch and dinner -- oh and working at your desk is very OPTIONAL. Also you don't have to leave the office for lunch to get away from the one or two annoying co-workers.
- Your office naturally can and will look as nice a you would like. No cubical living for you, my freelancing friends.
- Nothing is worse then working for a company who prides themselves in being the one place that is political bullshit free, and one month in realizing they are sooo full of shit you can smell it a mile from their offices.
- Bonus of being your own boss--- pc bs or not.. you're boss is hot, stylish, and tech savvy in his/her pjs. That would be you ;)
- Working for yourself, you can take breaks anytime you need to. AGAIN --you still have to get your work done. So break time is NOT 24/7.
- Lunch meetings can be anywhere, and run late without the fear of answering to someone else (or being the last person back from lunch).
- You are the boss. You can juggle as many clients as you can psychologically handle, or hire help when needed-- without asking for permission.
- No fear of getting laid off, but you do still have to keep your clients happy. (you're clients CAN and WILL fire you if you slack off or don't attend to their needs)
- No worries about cleaning up after the last person who had your job, made all your clients unhappy, and now are a little skiddish about the new kid. As a freelancer you meet your clients, get to know them like friends (professionally), and have the opportunity to keep them happy. Although their can be ups and downs, it's a great feeling to know that you may predict their needs and try to prevent any troubles.
- You CAN, but generally should not... wake up at 9 a.m.vs. 7 or 8. (Think of what you could do with the two hours you slept in)
- No yearly review. Although their is monthly client reports.
- You only have your self to blame for extreme success or horrid failure.
- No long commute, awful bus trips with smelly neighbors, or hitting rush hour.
- You are less likely to forget something you need at the office... or if you do forget it.. it should only be inches away.
- Your schedule may be incredibly busy with work, but at the drop of a hat you can take any vacation you can afford. Wifi willing your at home working situation could be beach or resort side.
- You get paid to do what you love. Working in an office or from home. You are getting paid to do what you love. (And I love what I do)
Don't get me wrong I've worked for a couple of agencies (and loved it), places I've hated, and corporations that had an amazing and forward looking attidute. Work as with life, is all about what you make of it. These are just a few random reasons I'm enjoying working as my own boss. Believe me their are many more, and sometimes just as many reasons I sometimes consider job hunting. (Although not recently)
Working with people is great, agency atmospheres can be fun, and some corporations can be open minded, others are synical and can leave an awful taste in your mouth. Make the most of whatever working situation you choose.
