Bill and Bob, both part-time entrepreneurs, were discussing their businesses over lunch one day. “I took that auctioneering class and decided to try it out on a part time basis,” Bill said. I wanted to perfect my auctioneering skills and see how I felt about all the other stuff – the paper work, the advertising and such. Maybe I wouldn’t like it. Maybe I couldn’t do it well. I really need to test myself first. Maybe I can sign up for an accounting class or something before I really decide to do this full time.”
Bob replied, “That wasn’t so much my reasoning. Hey, I started a machine shop, because that’s all I do at my full time job; I know metalworking inside and out. I also ran my own business some time ago, so I know how to keep books, how to advertise and all that. The reason I’m doing this part time is because I can’t afford to quit my “real” job. Do you know how expensive it is to by a lathe, even a used one? I need to really build my client base and I can’t even consider quitting until my wife goes back to work and we have one guaranteed source of income.”
Bernice was passing by and added her opinion, “Well, the only small business opportunity I had was part time because I knew it wouldn’t last. You know when the PGA had their tournament here last fall? I rented out rooms in my house which overlooks the tenth fairway. Even with all the practice rounds and stuff that was only about a week. Nice money, but certainly not enough to quit my job and wait for the next time,” she added with a laugh.
Bill, Bob and Bernice all had some good reasons for seeking part-time small business opportunities. Can you identify them?