ChemEnginerd2024
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I wanted to make this short and sweet…
I am an engineer, project manager, husband and father to four. I have reached a point in my mid-life where it has occurred to me that my life was passing me by, and largely because I don't have the time I would like to enjoy it. I sort of had a FTE about two years ago when I told my director that I wanted to switch roles and work for another manager. I saw this change as an opportunity to collect the same salary but with a lot less stress and around-the-clock responsibility. Not because I couldn’t handle it, but because my heart was no longer in it. I have found myself envious of others when I hear about their flexibility of time (sometimes they are just bums, which I know is not the path). My career is interesting at times, but typically a time consuming 5 days a week grind.
Over the last four years I have read many financial books including investment, entrepreneurial, real estate, etc. I had some short-term success in day trading, but not long term... I tried to start an online business. Created an LLC, built an ecommerce website, set everything up to be legit, tried to source good inventory for my store but ultimately only made one sale in about 1 year. During that time, I convinced myself that my niche was too limited, and market was too small. I may have been wrong, but lost motivation after spending a considerable amount on ads and not getting results. In the back of my mind, I knew I needed to add more value for my customers. I wanted to make/produce something unique for them but was not able to identify a product I wanted to spend the effort on. Last fall I looked into acquiring an existing business but realized that not too many people in my area want to sell good businesses (in my price range), and you need good contacts and cash/financing lined up.
In December of 2023 I read Unscripted . Shortly after, I read The Millionaire Fast Lane. I would say that when I read the first two books, I was very inspired, but a little discouraged by my lack of creativity. I am also not proficient in software programing except the most basic of VBA/excel. I have tried to train myself to be aware of when I come up with Inventions / business ideas. So far, I have quickly talked myself out of pursuing them for some reason or discovered that I am not the first to market. I have some niche interests or specialties (scuba diving, mountain biking, reef aquaria, koi ponds, homesteading, ATVs, EVs, small hydroelectric, mushrooms, investing. Perhaps the ideas I tend to come up with will not be for the masses and may have a limited market. I am also more of a function over form kind of guy.
I have been stagnant on entrepreneurial efforts lately as I am trying to focus on completing a home remodel. We are trying to accomplish this through my sweat equity and savings without taking on debt. I am quite handy and teach myself just about anything. I am also very mechanically and electrically inclined. I can fix just about anything. I can visualize teaching myself 3D printing, TIG welding, CNC Laser, PLC programming, etc. I work at a chemical plant and have experience designing / improving chemical processes including piping, pumps, reactors, distillation columns, boilers, and instruments. One more thing about me is I tend to be a serial hobbyist. I have curiosity about so much in the world, but I have noticed that I can get bored if something seems like I have figured it out enough. I have much respect for those that can spend 10000 hours becoming an expert at something.
Last week I bought and read The Great Rat-Race Escape. Reading the Great Rat-Race Escape has awoken something dormant in me. I have joined this group with the hope that I can get some information, inspiration, direction, Entrepreneurial Mojo!
I am an engineer, project manager, husband and father to four. I have reached a point in my mid-life where it has occurred to me that my life was passing me by, and largely because I don't have the time I would like to enjoy it. I sort of had a FTE about two years ago when I told my director that I wanted to switch roles and work for another manager. I saw this change as an opportunity to collect the same salary but with a lot less stress and around-the-clock responsibility. Not because I couldn’t handle it, but because my heart was no longer in it. I have found myself envious of others when I hear about their flexibility of time (sometimes they are just bums, which I know is not the path). My career is interesting at times, but typically a time consuming 5 days a week grind.
Over the last four years I have read many financial books including investment, entrepreneurial, real estate, etc. I had some short-term success in day trading, but not long term... I tried to start an online business. Created an LLC, built an ecommerce website, set everything up to be legit, tried to source good inventory for my store but ultimately only made one sale in about 1 year. During that time, I convinced myself that my niche was too limited, and market was too small. I may have been wrong, but lost motivation after spending a considerable amount on ads and not getting results. In the back of my mind, I knew I needed to add more value for my customers. I wanted to make/produce something unique for them but was not able to identify a product I wanted to spend the effort on. Last fall I looked into acquiring an existing business but realized that not too many people in my area want to sell good businesses (in my price range), and you need good contacts and cash/financing lined up.
In December of 2023 I read Unscripted . Shortly after, I read The Millionaire Fast Lane. I would say that when I read the first two books, I was very inspired, but a little discouraged by my lack of creativity. I am also not proficient in software programing except the most basic of VBA/excel. I have tried to train myself to be aware of when I come up with Inventions / business ideas. So far, I have quickly talked myself out of pursuing them for some reason or discovered that I am not the first to market. I have some niche interests or specialties (scuba diving, mountain biking, reef aquaria, koi ponds, homesteading, ATVs, EVs, small hydroelectric, mushrooms, investing. Perhaps the ideas I tend to come up with will not be for the masses and may have a limited market. I am also more of a function over form kind of guy.
I have been stagnant on entrepreneurial efforts lately as I am trying to focus on completing a home remodel. We are trying to accomplish this through my sweat equity and savings without taking on debt. I am quite handy and teach myself just about anything. I am also very mechanically and electrically inclined. I can fix just about anything. I can visualize teaching myself 3D printing, TIG welding, CNC Laser, PLC programming, etc. I work at a chemical plant and have experience designing / improving chemical processes including piping, pumps, reactors, distillation columns, boilers, and instruments. One more thing about me is I tend to be a serial hobbyist. I have curiosity about so much in the world, but I have noticed that I can get bored if something seems like I have figured it out enough. I have much respect for those that can spend 10000 hours becoming an expert at something.
Last week I bought and read The Great Rat-Race Escape. Reading the Great Rat-Race Escape has awoken something dormant in me. I have joined this group with the hope that I can get some information, inspiration, direction, Entrepreneurial Mojo!
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