Most of the people I know have worked at jobs as employees all their adult life.  When they find out that I have often been self-employed, they ask, "How do you do that?"   The concept is unimaginable to most teachers, professionals and blue-collar workers.   But in today's economy, more and more folks are realizing that they need to find ways to earn income outside of the traditional employee model. 

And many Boomers want to try their hand at something new, something fun or something rewarding during this next phase of their lives. 

I've only been fully employed by someone else a couple of times - my first job right out of college and the last  position I took after I moved to Philadelphia 6 years ago were two hallmark experiences because they were polar opposites.   

If my husband had not been transferred I might still be at that first one.  It was a perfect fit for me then and still would be today. As the program director for a United Way day-care agency, my responsibilities allowed me to teach parents and grandparents; create new learning activities for the classrooms; play with and nurture pre-schoolers; and travel out of the office to the nine centers on a regular schedule.  Nothing I've done since has brought me the same satisfaction.

In between my two JOBS, I have been self -employed as a skin care consultant, a free-lance designer, an herb and gourmet vegetable farmer, and the owner of a countertop fabrication business among others.  I'm a true scanner - i.e. a person interested in many things who skips around attempting to try them all on for size.

At the heart of it though is my strong sense of independence and need to be in control.  My impatience with the bureaucratic practices of most businesses makes me a poor employee.  If I see a problem I want to fix it now.  Resolving a customer's dilemma is more important to me than the bottom line.  That's why my last JOB only lasted 18 months.  I'm just not a corporate kind of person!

My Dad wasn't either. He became self-employed during an era in the 1940's when that was almost unheard of.  Listening to him tell how he started his own business, and remembering the many dinner time conversations about how he prospected for new clients, provided good customer service and stories about the people he met as he traveled around his territory, probably played a huge role in the development of my attitudes toward work.   If you'd like to read his story it's here.    

Today, self-employment is increasing.  Many folks who are either unable to find a JOB or who need to add an additional stream of income to their budget are finding creative ways to "do it themselves."  No matter what you are interested in doing, there are ways to do it that fit your specific lifestyle, abilities and pocket book. 

Starting and growing your own small business is an exciting and rewarding adventure.  For Boomers who are concluding their careers it is a way to not only add some income, but also to learn new things, find new ways to do what matters to you, and maybe improve your little corner of the world in some way. 

Do you have an idea? Have you always dreamed of things like:

   Being the author of a book

   Being paid to travel and tell about it

   Inventing the next great gadget

    Finding a way to help less fortunate kids

For folks who have always worked for someone else this might be a hard concept to understand and often friends and family are not supportive because they've never done it either. 

Those of us who have followed the wisdom of Barbara Winter, author of Earning a Living without a Job,  are coming together at the Joyfully Jobless Jamboree in October in Austin, TX.  Come join us to:

find your tribe of supporters,

       get some great ideas on how to move forward with your dream,

                          or to celebrate your independence as a self-bosser.