My 1000th Post.. LOSE THE JOB, NOW!!!

**JackEdwards** · Feb 25th, 2013, 12:55 PM

Let me tell you a story, This is 1989 early 1990..

I was working two jobs, throwing newspapers in the morning starting at 330 AM. and working at a warehouse during the day getting off at 7PM.. Worked my ass off and sadly had obligations to keep working, My dad died and left us in a ton of debt, so I had to carry the house, support my mother and brother, that is why the two jobs, had to keep them, had to make the money. No choice.

All the while business ideas were going through my head like crazy, everyday another idea, another thought, another angle, Said to myself, I should start this, I should start that. How could I though, I had bills. I can't quit. No way.

Maybe I can work some of them on the side, which I did, got friends to do their part, never worked, Why? Cause I was working and could not be there and friends doing your biz on the side. Failure after failure.

One day A friend of mine said we should go to Cali and check out the scene. Try taking a week off from Newspapers. It's a 7 day a week job, everyday. 3 years straight I had not taken a day off.. 3 years.. think about that. Now the manager was all upset I wanted to take a week off. wow..

Went to Cali, Came across something I really wanted to start, a great idea, an industry I knew 0 about. I just smelled money.. But for all my excitement, After the week was over, went back to work. had to, had no choice, getting up at 3 am, getting off at 7PM. Went on for like a month or two, realized this is my life, and this will be my life forever.

That moment, Decided I was going to quit, move to Cali and pursue the idea. Had no money to start it. Nothing.

When I told my Managers they were like, your going to start your own business... it will never work, (like they knew) told my mom, she basically cried and yelled at me for a week on how she was going to be living on the street in a few months, she even was nice enough to have every relative call me and tell me I was a bum for leaving her with nothing.

I lied , told her don't worry I will make enough money to cover the bills in a month.. Did I know if that was true, I had no idea, I had barely enough gas to Get to Hollywood.

Turns out, My idea actually worked, and I made a lot of money.. Millions in fact, Bought my mom a nice house, Paid for trips for her to go around the world on cruises and vacations.

The reality is though. I could still be that guy working, thinking of ideas... Planning for the day... that will never come..

Don't be that guy.. Lose the job, Fight to make it work.. and it will. Do it today.

**maverick** · Feb 25th, 2013, 01:31 PM

Jack,

Always love reading your posts and happy all has panned out for you.

Quick question though: when you left for cali did you know what "it" was i.e. The business ide that you pursued - did you already have an idea what it was or did you come up with it after you quit your job?

I'm in a similar spot at the moment. In debt from past wrong decisions (incl taking on debt from my ex. Yeah i know!), currently in a decent job (money wise) but the job itself is beyond boring. I feel like i'm stuck in between a rock and a hard place. No clear ideas and feel numbed by the job. Working long hours and killing my creativity.

What's your view on this? Quit and figure it out as i go along?

**1step** · Feb 25th, 2013, 01:45 PM

Good story. Always appreciate your posts.

I quit my job about 6 months ago, no where near as dramatic a situation as you, I aim to end up in a similar situation to you though.

To Maverick

Having a job can make you complacent. Quitting forces you to make it work, I would venture to say quitting your job will bring out the best in you and you will make it work. With that being said I dont know what your situation is like. If you want it bad enough youll make it happen

**biggeemac** · Feb 25th, 2013, 01:51 PM

Thanks Jack.....posts like this really make me want to royally and literally kick my ass for the stalls and delays that I keep creating for myself.

**blackkramer** · Feb 25th, 2013, 04:03 PM

Originally Posted by maverick

In debt from past wrong decisions (incl taking on debt from my ex. Yeah i know!)

Haha, I know what that is like! I consider it at really expensive learning experience.

Great post Jack, it is hard to give up the norm and actually do anything, I am glad you had such success. How many people now say "oh you were just lucky"?

**The-J** · Feb 25th, 2013, 04:50 PM

Now THAT'S what I call 'ashy to classy'.

Most of us knew your story before this but it's just a stark reminder: sometimes, you really don't have anything to lose.

This has gotta be the millionth time I've given you speed...

**FrankSmith** · Feb 25th, 2013, 05:35 PM

Jack would love to hear you do an interview on your life... I would actually pay to listen to you

Maybe if you would could consider doing it for insiders.

Thank you for inspiring us all.

**Hawk07** · Feb 25th, 2013, 06:22 PM

Originally Posted by JackEdwards

Turns out, My idea actually worked, and I made a lot of money.. Millions in fact, Bought my mom a nice house, Paid for trips for her to go around the world on cruises and vacations.

--What was your "idea" that worked back in 1990?

Jack, great story here. I think you nailed it....the #1 problem I see with most everyone (minus maybe the 15 - 25 year olds that have parents to fall back on) is that they are all tied down to debt/bills and the fear to leave the "perceived certainty" of their job wins out.

There are thousands of people on this forum that are in the same position. They have a decent paying job and maybe have started a side business. They think all the time about leaving their job and just focusing on the business to grow it , but always in the back of their mind is the fact that they would be leaving a career.....and the bills/kids/family will always be there....with no safety net like the younger folks without mortgages/health insurance/monthly grocery bills etc.

Thanks for being such an inspiration!

**KeonTheGreat** · Feb 25th, 2013, 07:26 PM

Such an inspiration. I love reading things like this, this is why I always lurk. Not a day goes by that I don't find motivation on here. Just 10 minutes ago I emailed prospective suppliers on sample products. And just yesterday one of our manager's at the retail store I work at was basically telling us how disposable we are. It's Can't wait to walk out on it one day.

**CEBenz** · Feb 25th, 2013, 07:47 PM

I feel pretty fortunate to only have basic monthly bills, a small mortgage, and property taxes to worry about. With my bills, I'm free if I can make $2k a month. For any that are feeling trapped. It may be worth looking at downsizing your expenses. Just a thought.

Excellent post Jack. I'd love to hear the story on that business sometime.

**1PercentStreet** · Feb 25th, 2013, 07:49 PM

Make it happen, best advice you can give.

You can make anything happen, NEVER GIVE UP.

**Jake** · Feb 25th, 2013, 10:34 PM

Originally Posted by JackEdwards

The reality is though. I could still be that guy working, thinking of ideas... Planning for the day... that will never come..

Don't be that guy.. Lose the job, Fight to make it work.. and it will. Do it today.

I am Jack's wasted life [/Fight Club quote]

**zendolphin** · Feb 25th, 2013, 10:47 PM

Originally Posted by JackEdwards

Don't be that guy.. Lose the job, Fight to make it work.. and it will. Do it today.

Best Quote of the Year so far.

Z

**Graham Chong** · Feb 26th, 2013, 05:35 AM

What the? A thousand posts and I have not noticed you before? Inspiring story!

Originally Posted by JackEdwards

The reality is though. I could still be that guy working, thinking of ideas... Planning for the day... that will never come..

Don't be that guy.. Lose the job, Fight to make it work.. and it will. Do it today.

Will be quitting my job after getting my full registration with the council, not a day more at the job

**CEBenz** · Feb 26th, 2013, 06:33 AM

Originally Posted by Graham Chong

What the? A thousand posts and I have not noticed you before? Inspiring story!

Will be quitting my job after getting my full registration with the council, not a day more at the job

That probably means you missed one of the best threads on this forum.

Diary of Opening A New Business

**liquidglass** · Feb 26th, 2013, 02:52 PM

Originally Posted by Hawk07

--What was your "idea" that worked back in 1990?

Jack, great story here. I think you nailed it....the #1 problem I see with most everyone (minus maybe the 15 - 25 year olds that have parents to fall back on) is that they are all tied down to debt/bills and the fear to leave the "perceived certainty" of their job wins out.

There are thousands of people on this forum that are in the same position. They have a decent paying job and maybe have started a side business. They think all the time about leaving their job and just focusing on the business to grow it , but always in the back of their mind is the fact that they would be leaving a career.....and the bills/kids/family will always be there....with no safety net like the younger folks without mortgages/health insurance/monthly grocery bills etc.

Thanks for being such an inspiration!

Is it a problem with his post or just a high barrier to entry (or exit in this thread)?

If they have a decent paying job and feel tied down to it because of bills....then they will always have just that, a decent paying job.

Also while I feel your assessment on many young people is correct I feel you may be mistaken when you generalize that all people 25 and under have a safety net and no significant bills. I started the fastlane when I was 24, I didn't have a safety net before but I had made enough to get by. Then with all bills still in tact I walked out one day and started working on my own business. I even took on an extra bill or two that was worth the pain it caused to force me to stretch myself and my abilities.

To give the excuse for yourself or anyone else that you don't have a "safety net" etc etc (and I've heard about this safety net from people older and younger than myself) is simply a reason to fail. Anyone can keep repeating this day in and day out. But the bills won't get better, the children won't go away, and it won't get any easier to step out on your own. So people need to do it or admit that their too scared and start monitoring their 401Ks.

**jcpoolgod** · Feb 26th, 2013, 04:43 PM

I'm new here. Thank s for the motivation

**OzGrinder** · Feb 26th, 2013, 10:04 PM

Jack, I love this post. Very inspirational, thank you.

My biggest fear though is that for every story like yours, there are 10 where the protagonist ends up broke and broken.

It's a question I battle with every day, bite the bullet and leave or just keep working on the business on the side? The problem is the lack of time to concentrate on it when your working full time... I have massive amounts of respect for those that have bitten the bullet and succeeded, but assuming the worst and catering for it appropriately is in my nature.

**djax06** · Feb 26th, 2013, 10:56 PM

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Booked that this weekend. I have some online pursuits I'll be pursuing full time along with anything else, and I'm heading to Bali/Vietnam/Thailand to pursue it. Mainly for the value of the money and the time it will give me (all day/all night).

It's not ASAP but it's good enough. 6 months baby.

Good post.

**natopotato** · Feb 26th, 2013, 11:06 PM

The most perfect story for me this week, Jack. Struggling to pay my student loans with crappy jobs all the while having ideas that I know would make money so that I can pursue my dream. A life without adversity isn't a worthwhile life to live, I'll never be truly happy if I cant overcome my obstacles. "Fight to make it work.."

Thread: My 1000th Post.. LOSE THE JOB, NOW!!!

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