Starting/Started Your Own Company?

This is not a sales gimmick. We're gathering information for an upcoming book!

PURPOSE: To gather information related to people's last job (as an employee) and how they started (or plan to start) their own business. This information may be used in a book or related materials, and portions might appear on social media (but your name won't be attached unless you give us permission to quote you).

IMPORTANT: If you do NOT currently own a business and are NOT thinking about starting a business, this survey is not for you; please do not answer the questions.

If you own multiple businesses or are starting an additional business, please answer the questions in regards to the most significant business you had at the time you left your job. If you didn't leave your job, then just focus on the most significant business.

PRIVACY: Your name and company name(s) will NOT be used unless you specifically give us permission to do so. Your contact information will NOT be shared.

Question Title

* 1. Business Ownership (includes founders and partners)

I currently own a business

I am in the process of starting a business

I am thinking about starting a business

I do not own a business and I am not planning to start one soon

What is the specific nature of your business? (e.g., "Commercial landscaping," or "Mobile fashion jewelry"). ALSO, is there an interesting back story in regards to your answers above?

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* 2. In relation to your last job, which of the following best describes your situation?

I currently have a job and a business on the side. I have no plans to leave my current job.

I currently have a job and a business on the side. I plan to leave my current job as soon as my business can support me.

I quit my job and then started my business.

I quit my job after starting my own business.

I was dismissed from my job (fired or laid off), and then started my business.

I was dismissed from my job (fired or laid off), after my business was already operating. I am not looking for another job.

I was dismissed from my job (fired or laid off), after my business was already operating. I plan to look for another job.

Other (please specify)

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* 3. What was the specific nature of the last job you had (or have, if still employed) before or around the time you started (or will start) your business? For example, "Auto mechanic for local auto repair facility," or "Insurance sales manager for local office of nation-wide insurance company," or "I have never been employed."

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* 4. If you're willing to share, is there an interesting story about your transition into business ownership?

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* 5. Which of the following funding sources did you try to obtain? Please indicate if you were Successful or Unsuccessful. If you didn't attempt one, please select No Attempt.

	No Attempt	Unsuccessful	Successful
Personal savings	Personal savings No Attempt	Personal savings Unsuccessful	Personal savings Successful
Drawing from personal retirement or life insurance	Drawing from personal retirement or life insurance No Attempt	Drawing from personal retirement or life insurance Unsuccessful	Drawing from personal retirement or life insurance Successful
Home equity, reverse equity, lines of credit, home refinancing	Home equity, reverse equity, lines of credit, home refinancing No Attempt	Home equity, reverse equity, lines of credit, home refinancing Unsuccessful	Home equity, reverse equity, lines of credit, home refinancing Successful
Gifts from others (financial, inheritance, equipment, liquid assets)	Gifts from others (financial, inheritance, equipment, liquid assets) No Attempt	Gifts from others (financial, inheritance, equipment, liquid assets) Unsuccessful	Gifts from others (financial, inheritance, equipment, liquid assets) Successful
Loans from friends or acquaintances	Loans from friends or acquaintances No Attempt	Loans from friends or acquaintances Unsuccessful	Loans from friends or acquaintances Successful
Loans from banks or other financial institutions	Loans from banks or other financial institutions No Attempt	Loans from banks or other financial institutions Unsuccessful	Loans from banks or other financial institutions Successful
Small Business Administration (SBA) loans	Small Business Administration (SBA) loans No Attempt	Small Business Administration (SBA) loans Unsuccessful	Small Business Administration (SBA) loans Successful
Credit cards	Credit cards No Attempt	Credit cards Unsuccessful	Credit cards Successful
Government grants	Government grants No Attempt	Government grants Unsuccessful	Government grants Successful
Crowdfunding (Kickstarter, Indiegogo, etc.)	Crowdfunding (Kickstarter, Indiegogo, etc.) No Attempt	Crowdfunding (Kickstarter, Indiegogo, etc.) Unsuccessful	Crowdfunding (Kickstarter, Indiegogo, etc.) Successful
Peer-to-Peer lending sites	Peer-to-Peer lending sites No Attempt	Peer-to-Peer lending sites Unsuccessful	Peer-to-Peer lending sites Successful
Venture capital, angel investors, other investors	Venture capital, angel investors, other investors No Attempt	Venture capital, angel investors, other investors Unsuccessful	Venture capital, angel investors, other investors Successful
Bringing in a partner in exchange for funding	Bringing in a partner in exchange for funding No Attempt	Bringing in a partner in exchange for funding Unsuccessful	Bringing in a partner in exchange for funding Successful
Prepaid sales	Prepaid sales No Attempt	Prepaid sales Unsuccessful	Prepaid sales Successful
Fundraising	Fundraising No Attempt	Fundraising Unsuccessful	Fundraising Successful

Other (please specify)

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* 6. Please rank the following advantages of business ownership from your viewpoint?

Being my own boss, not subordinate to a supervisor

N/A

Setting my own work schedule (flexibility)

N/A

Getting the final say on major decisions and strategy

N/A

The internal pride and satisfaction of business ownership

N/A

The public prestige of business ownership

N/A

The financial benefits (or opportunities)

N/A

Job security and stability

N/A

Great tax deducations

N/A

You can choose who you work with (and not)

N/A

Don't have to relocate, can live where you want

N/A

You are almost finished! One more question than you can give advice to others...