4 Myths About Being your Own Boss

It’s fun to fantasize about being your own boss, making the rules, setting the hours, and making the big bucks. Of course, people who work for themselves whether entrepreneurs, freelancers, or small business owners know that the perks of being your own boss often take years to achieve. And even if the money rolls in, self-employment is not the glamorous lifestyle that you might think it is.

Myth #1: You don’t have to answer to anyone

It’s a bit childish to think that when you’re your own boss you can do whatever you want. Sure, you get to call the shots of your business, but assuming your business does take off, you’ll have to answer to customers. Your customers will have needs, and you will have to take them into consideration if you want to create customer loyalty. If you freelance, your customers are your clients. And make no mistake, you need to cater to their interests, or they will take their business elsewhere.

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Travel During Retirement Without Breaking the Bank

Ever wonder about traveling once you’re retired, but think it’s too expensive? Today, I met a retired couple who are working at campground in Maine and will spend the summer hiking, biking, and paddling during their free time.

The office at Mt. Desert Narrows Campground Bar Harbor, Maine

Before retiring, the wife worked as a librarian, and husband was a framer – they are not rich people. They do still own a home in Pennsylvania, which they have rented out long-term. Continue reading

From Corporate Employee to Entrepreneur: Justin Popovic Interview

Justin Popovic (photo courtesy of Justin Popovic)

Today’s jobtalk is with Internet Marketer and Success Coach Justin Popovic. After 7 years in the corporate world, Popovic took a leap of faith and quit his job to start a business. Popovic will be the first to tell you that the entrepreneurial route isn’t easy, but that if it’s what you want to do, you should go for it.

Check out Popovics’s Internet marketing and success coaching websites to learn more about his fantastic services.

Title: Internet Marketing Entrepreneur & Success Coach

Education: B.S. Computer Science, University of Waterloo, 2000

Age: 33

What did you do before becoming an Internet marketer and success coach?

I got hired as an intern at Rational Software, which was later acquired by IBM. I helped them establish an office in Toronto by setting up classrooms with computers to train corporate students on different software technologies. Continue reading

Interview with Blogger and Founder of College Info Geek, Thomas Frank

 

Thomas Frank (photo courtesy of Thomas Frank)

Today’s jobtalk is with the founder of College Info Geek, Thomas Frank, who’s never been east of Chicago. Frank has figured out how to make the most of his college experience and is dedicated to helping other students do the same.

Title: Student, Blogger

Major: Management Information Systems, Iowa State University, graduating in 2013

Age: 20

When did you start College Info Geek?

I started it in the summer after my freshman year at college – it’s been about 2 years. I was working as an orientation assistant – those are the people that give tours to the college freshman and help them get started at college. It’s the best job ever for college students. Most freshman can’t get an internship right after their first year, so it’s the perfect job to do.

I learned so much about my college and so many college tips, that I really wanted to write about it for one of my favorite blogs, hackcollege.com. They were looking for writers, so I applied, and they rejected me. But I had this article that I had written for them, and I wanted to have it published. So I started my own website. Continue reading

Bernard Vukas Works While He Travels and Found Success Without a College Degree!

Today on JobTalk I’m sharing an interview-in-brief with Bernard Vukas, a Croatian citizen who’s found success without a college degree. I “met” Bernard Vukas via Twitter when he responded to a tweet looking for people who are making their way in the world without a college diploma.

Bernard says that people in Croatia are pretty much expected to go to college. He, himself, attended college for three years, but admits to not accomplishing much. Currently, Bernard is a traveling worker – meaning he travels and works simultaneously. Check out Bernard Vukas’ website and learn more about his life and work.

Title: Microsoft Office Business Applications Developer, Remote Contractor/Freelancer

Career Stage: Freelancing since 2008 Continue reading

Interview with James C. Steward, Director of Princeton Art Museum

James C. Steward (photo by Andrea Kane)

Today’s jobtalk is with James Christen Steward, Director of Princeton Art Museum. If you’re wondering what some of Steward’s favorite off-the-beaten-path museums are, you’ll find out if you read this interview.

Education:

Ph.D. History of Art, Trinity College, Oxford University, 1992

M.A. History of Art, Institute of Arts, New York University, 1988

B.A. French, History, Art History, University of Virginia, 1981

Career Stage: Advanced

What made you decide to study art history?

When I started college, I thought I was going to go to law school and was looking at undergraduate degrees that would be appropriate for law school. I went to France to study during my undergraduate years, and during that time I realized that what I viewed as an avocation really was something that I was more compelled by – meaning working with art and specifically doing it in a museum setting.  Continue reading

6 Ways to Hack Cash When You’re Unemployed

There’s a lot of hubbub in the air about whether or not college is worth it, especially when one in two college new graduates is jobless or underemployed.

If you are a recent college graduate – or even a not-so-recent college graduate – who’s unemployed or underemployed there are ways to make some cash while you are sending out resumes. Continue reading

Michael Belsky Interview

Michael Belsky in Italy (photo courtesy of M. Belsky)

Today’s jobtalk is with Michael Belsky who’s had a variety of interesting jobs throughout his career. If you’ve ever wanted to travel overseas for an extended period of time or teach in a prison, Belsky could inform you about doing both!

Title: Professional Mediator

Education:

B.A. Psychology, San Jose State University, 1966

Ed.D. Communications Education, University of Southern California, 1970

L.P.C., 1990

Age: 67

How did you get into conflict mediation?

I’ve had a rather circuitous route. When I graduated with my bachelor’s degree in psychology, I don’t even know if divorce and conflict mediation existed. I continued my studies by getting a teaching credential and a master’s degree; from there I went on and got a doctorate in communications education.

By the time I graduated, I was about 24 or 25, and I left the country and lived overseas for about 3 years. Continue reading