Becoming A Contractor During A Recession

If you're like a lot of this site's visitors then you're here because you want to learn how to become a contractor, but you're also unsure if this is the best time to be starting a business.  With all of the current economic problems you might be thinking that this is a terrible time to become a full-time contractor.  You might be scared that after dumping money and time into getting your little company off the ground that it will fall flat on its face because everyone is telling you that consumer spending is down, bank lending is down, and the end of the world is near.

My response to these doubts?  Simple.  Stop making excuses and get going already!

Many people have dreams of starting their own contracting or service business but in reality few of them ever actually break free from wage slavery and become business owners.  Why?  "Because it's too hard."  "It's too complicated."  It's too time-consuming.  It's too risky.  It's too scary.  I'm not smart enough.  The economy is tanking.  I might fail.  I might not have a consistent paycheck.  Blah.  Blah.  Blah. 

If you want to do it then do it.  Timing should be the least of your concerns.  But just for the record, this could actually be a great time to start your small contracting business on the side and see what happens.  Why?  Because most people are so fearful right now to make any investments in themselves or their businesses that it has created some wide-open opportunities for the rest of us to make inroads in our local markets.  While the other would-be entrepreneurs in your community are cowering in fear and unwilling to part with their so-called "secure" 9-5 job, you'll be out there getting work, building a brand, and forming professional relationships.  The result is that a few years from now when the economy is booming again you'll already have the foundation in place for record growth while everyone else is just getting started.

Be a contrarian and reap the rewards down the road.  Those who are most successful in the long-run are often the ones who become aggressive when others are running for the hills, whether it be in real estate, stocks, or entrepreneurship.

Just get going.