Rockall Design Two Years On
My company, Rockall Design, is two years old today. It was a bumpy ride at first but things are starting to smooth out now. Turnover doubled in the second year! If it doubles again in the next year I will be a very happy man.
In terms of income, going it alone definitely involved a drop in income for me. The first year running the company saw my wage return to that of my first year out of university. The second year saw it return to the wage I'd reached after a couple more years - as a full-time employed "consultant". Hopefully the year coming up will see it return to the level I got to as a City-based independent contractor.
While in Bermuda I was asked if I was a contractor. Although, in effect, for my week there I was contracting, I tried to explain that I was in fact a "real" company. I've contracted through my own company for years now. It's only with Rockall that I've tried to get away from office-based 9-til-5s. There have been a few times where I've thought about taking a contract to tide me over, but I've managed not to though and still stay afloat.
The hard part in running a small business is growing. With a setup like mine it's especially hard getting away from the fact that it's a one-man-band. Technically it probably always will be, but that doesn't mean I don't want to grow. Depending how things go in this next year I might well be looking for developers to partner with in the future. Anybody interested?
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Jake,
The hard part of being a one-man band is having the guts to turn work away rather than stretch yourself (when things are good). Saying no to work seems to go against every fibre in our body
When things are ot so good, you need the motivation to do all the things that people say they will do when they have some time
Here's to a successful future (and more importantly, a great quality of life)
Mike
Know the challanges only too well!!!
You are doing the right thing though - especially as you grow your client base (easy repeat business) and reputation.
Would be delighted to chat at some time jake - email me on chris@bssuk.net
Thanks
Chris
Jake
We are always looking to build partnerships with other companies that share our skills or have skills that complement our own (Notes, Domino, Websphere) so if you ever had a project where you needed more resource, just give us a call or e-mail me - we'd be pleased to help out.
Richard
By the way - Happy Birthday....
I’m in the same situation.
I’m freeelance in France south west and I have too much work for me but not enough to have a full time contract to help me.
It’s a critical moment because I can’t continue to refuse work cause I’m over booked. I'll loose my clients.
I don’t know in England but in France when you give 100 to an employee, it cost you 200 cause of social taxes.
Hard to grow in these conditions.
Julien
Hi Jake,
I'm just dipping my toe in the water of contracting over the past year or so, and might be able to offer you the some-time help you need. Drop me a line if you're interested...
And congratulations on the landmark!
Yep. I know that feeling as well. My company (Kizar Consultants) is also a one man band.
I've been contracting for 3 years as well now. And I've been suffering too.
One thing I constantly hate is when you finish a contract, you're right back at square one again, searching for a new job.
My salary dropped drastically when I started contracting as well. Something I am now beginning to regret. Good for the self esteem. Bad for the wallet.
Seems like there are a lot of us in a similar situation. What with the new Lotus Notes User Group {Link} setup as well, maybe it's worthwhile getting somesort of affiliation setup. Perhaps some sort of central authority that potential client should turn to to find Domino consultants.
Ho hum.
Put me down on your list for Australian contacts/contracts. Well done with Rockall Design; deserved success.
Jake
I don't have the guts to give up the 9 to 5 (if only those *were* the hours!) but if you ever need help with development - particularly client UI as I know you hate it ;-) I would love to take on some spare time work - the kids are consuming my income at an alarming rate, plus I love the development!!!
Guys. Getting a job with Rockall isn't as easy as asking for one ;o)
If you want to be considered for work you need to prove to me that you're good enough. In whatever way you see fit.
If all goes well I'll be more fully in your shoes by next week. The nice thing is I do have a contract, so we're steady up with work (we = wife and self are partners is an LLC, a type of partnership allowed under tax code in the US). So we've been looking at our own medical isnurance, not a concern for the UK or Canada as I understand it, and hiring an accountant (bean counter) to help navigate the new fees and taxes. It certainly works out better than being an employee, if you can book the work, and there, we are presently blessed.
So, in answer to your first question, I would say we're interested, as ever, in joint operaions, Jake. We're at 110% capacity for the moment though, so (if deemed worthy) I don't know how much the two of us can help at the moment. I'll be sure to come begging when the current contract ends, though. ;-)
Sadhik
I don't have the time to give up the 9 to 5 but if you ever need help with development(Notes, Web) I would love to take on some spare time work. I love the development!!!
Currently I am staying in Singapore.
Congrats on Rockall Jake - I know its a hard and stressful way of working at times!
I've been self employed (Ltd Company) for 6+ years now.
Firstly 100% contracting - then over the years the contracting element has reduced year on year to consulting (ie dont have to be at my desk at that company).
Next year will probably (hopefully) see me do 0% contracting - which I will be very pleased about. Aside from a couple of years when contract rates were abnormally high, income has been pretty level year on year.
I find IBM/Lotus technologies are a good place to be - not just because of the quality - but more that the avergage graduate/college leaver has not a clue what it is, so work competition is lower (you see many books on what we do in book stores?).
My business is currently maxed out. I'm not in a position to offer full time employment at the moment but if anyone wants to register for off site development - email me.