Just lost my 9 to 5 job...

[Edge Tech NY]

So, my boss asks me to meet him at a clients location whom his company supports. I go there (mind you its a 40 mile drive) and he hands me a letter saying I being terminated because of my side business (which he knew about during my initial interview a year ago.) So now I'm jobless, getting 1-2 calls a week and have rent to pay. I want to take this opportunity to really try and get my business going full time.. Just looking for ideas and tips for my situation.. Thank you

 

[MrUnknown]

and this is the reason we want to work for ourselves, asshole bosses like that. OK, so you got terminated, but did he have to make you drive 40 to a CLIENTS business to terminate you? No. Or over something he already knew about? No.

I certainly hope you are able to turn computer repair into your only source of income. Wish I could provide some help.

 

[Edge Tech NY]

Thanks.. I'm trying to make this my living now. I'm debating going into the local doctor offices and selling my services..

 

[Steve202]

What a bummer mate. Try not to think about it too much, just get out there and sell your services. It may be a long and difficult process but I'm sure it will be worth it in the end

 

[qamarjrk]

You lost job that means you will rock in your own business

I am doing my side business since last 1 year now. I am in same boat like you getting one or two call a week. What I feel from your incident I may get fired also like you once my employer will know this. I am ready for it though. Make some flayer hire $10 per hour guy to hang door hanger in your neighbor hood, door to door street to street. Congrats for full time to your business.

 

[onetech4all]

That's too bad!
Think on the positive side. If you were losing customers because of your schedule, now you can advertise 9AM to 5 PM available. Might get some business accounts.
I hope it works out for you.

 

[2canSAM]

Time to make lemonade I guess?

Did your company and the company you used to work for both support this one client? I am confused as to why he would call to a client site, seems very unprofessional. My last job, that sadly ended in August due to downsizing was well aware of my side job and as long as I did not go after their business they were great with it.

 

[techguyforyou]

That's too bad man, hopefully everything turns out well.

You'll just have to get on the grind and sell yourself hardcore. Also, not sure why he had you drive for 40 miles to do this, that sounds kinda shady to me.

 

[Hercomputers]

Thanks.. I'm trying to make this my living now. I'm debating going into the local doctor offices and selling my services..

I can sympathize with you because I was laid twice from my full-time IT jobs. I've been unemployed for close to two months now and like you, I have bills to pay but don't let it get you down. With me, I look at is as an opportunity to put myself out there as well as network with other people, techs perhaps, anything to put yourself out there.

NOW is the opportunity to put your business out there and ADVERSTISE YOURSELF and put yourself out there. Don't debate about going to local businesses in your area - just do it!

Being laid off from a job (for whatever reason) is never a pleasant thing, but you learn from it and in time, you'll realize it could have been the best thing to happen to you, I know it was for me.

Hang in there, stay positive, prayerful and start making some things happen....and now you can be a competitor to your ex-boss....lol

 

[anonymous Mac Tech]

If he already knew about the side business (which I find it hard to believe he knew about and was okay with it, because I wouldn't be) it smells like he was looking for a reason, and that was the best one to use. Probably going to use that as an excuse to not pay unemployment also.

 

[Puff]

Your boss is a dick for making you drive 40 miles just to tell you that you're out of a job. Sounds to me like you're better off.

 

[K007]

That's too bad!
Think on the positive side. If you were losing customers because of your schedule, now you can advertise 9AM to 5 PM available. Might get some business accounts.
I hope it works out for you.

Wow, you start with a "That's too bad", then you ask him to look on the positive side?
WTF?

I would say "VERY GOOD"
Now he can dedicate his time to his business.
He may not make too much money at the beginning, but if it pays the rent and puts some bacon and bread on the table, is a start, and not any start. It is "START AS A FREE MAN, INDEPENDENT, NOT ANSWERING TO ANY ASSHOLE BOSS"

Edit:
On the other hand, FREEDOM IS NOT FOR EVERYBODY!!!
Some are better of not having that kind of freedom.

 

[ATTech]

Wow, you start with a "That's too bad", then you ask him to look on the positive side?
WTF?

Wait, what? Are you familiar with the concept of a concession to the opposition?

 

[K007]

Wait, what? Are you familiar with the concept of a concession to the opposition?

No my friend (cyber friend) I don't even know what you're talking about.
I could have Googled it, but then I would be an asshole myself.
I am familiar with the concept of common sense and empathy. That's all.

 

[K007]

By the way, over the years, going to job interviews (as a contractor) I have been asked countless times what are my likes and dislikes at the work place.
The sad part is that I could never answer honestly about the dislikes.
How could I have said that the one think I dislike the most in the work place is "LOW IQ SUPERIORS" ?
Lucky for me I don't have to answer to those questions no more.

 

[pcman2010]

Good Luck, Use this as an opportunity to blow the lid off your business and kick it into full gear. I saw from previous posts that you have a contract with a local business, so go do that a few more times; then when you have enough of these contracts in place you can pay another tech much less to maintain so you can go after more business.

At some point, you were going to get an urgent call from a business client who needed your help during your day job.

Keep us posted.

 

[RedFoxComp]

Boo! Sound like he used an excuse rather than face you like a man.

That was the thing I hated most about working for someone else, having your livelihood be at their whim no matter how hard you worked.

Like everyone else said, time to make lemonade.

 

[onetech4all]

Re:

Wow, you start with a "That's too bad", then you ask him to look on the positive side?
WTF?

K007, there's always a positive side. As a colleague on this forum, I wouldn't recommend him to focus on the wrong side. There's always hope and always other ways. I sincerely hope it works out for him!

 

[Puff]

Look on the bright side. At least you'll be able to sleep in tomorrow

 

[krash2k]

Now is the time to kick it into overdrive and MAKE IT HAPPEN!

One thing I noticed when I started my own company was that more often than not I would get caught up on the 'what ifs' and worry that XXX wasn't complete and I wasn't ready to talk to a prospect without my (fill in the blank here) being complete and ready to go.

Sometimes, we have to shoot and aim later. At least, this is my experience with sales and marketing.

Grab a stack of your business cards and hit the streets. Talk to every person you cross paths with. Call your family and friends and tell them how happy you are that you can devote 100% of your time to your new business. ASK them for referrers and/or prospect leads that you can follow up with.

It's not going to be easy and it will not always be fun... but it will be worth it in the end!

Good Luck!