self employment

  • 3 things I’m grateful for, this third week of August, 2021:

    Flexibility in my schedule: We’re without child care for the last few weeks of summer, and while this means for most we’d either have to start daycare early, burden other family members, or hire someone pretty sort-term, because my wife and I have fairly flexible schedules, we can make it work temporarily.

    Left: Conklin All American with Journaler Nib. Right: TWSBI 580 with Architect Nib

    Cool Products and Services: This week, I got back a couple of pens I sent out to Custom Nib Studio for interesting nib grinds. I’m stoked to start using them in earnest and love that there are such services1. Similarly, one of my favorite online shops, Ugmonk is having a warehouse sale this weekend. And they happen to be located in my town.

    Travel: Next week I’m taking my first plane ride in 21 months. It’s the longest I’ve gone without flying in my adult life. And while I’m apprehensive, I’m vaccinated and excited to start getting back to a relative normal life again.

    That’s it for this week! What are you grateful for? Let me know in the comments!

    1. I highly recommend Gena if you have fountain pen nibs that need a little TLC. ?

    August 20, 2021

  • June 19, 2018

    Self Employment: Year One Recap

    I started my first business in high school, making websites for anyone who’d give me a shot. It was a great way to make money that I carried through college, grad school, and my adult life. I even did it full time a little after college, but lack of benefits and the need to learn more forced me to find a full time job. For pretty much that entire time, the stakes were different – and not very high. I didn’t have anyone except myself to support and I didn’t require too much.

    That changed when I got married and had a daughter. I thought my chances at full time self-employment were dramatically lower as a result. However, today marks the anniversary of me leaving my full time job to pursue my side business full-time. I’d like to reflect on the first year.

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  • June 9, 2017

    I’m Returning to the World of Full Time Self-Employment

    Six years ago when I got a job at The University of Scranton, it was a little bittersweet. For 2 years following my Masters Degree, I was self-employed. The thing that lead me to look for a new job was that I was working out of my parents’ house, and honestly, time was running out on staying on their insurance plan. Leaving that world was sad, but I was excited at the notion of working with a team. After 3 years at the university, I felt I was ready to do something different and more challenging.

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