by mg Robbins

Created on: October 28, 2009   Last Updated: October 29, 2009

To be or not to be self-employed? The second part of that question is, "Do you like beans and rice?" That answers your question.

Obviously, I do and it has been a steady diet since 2002. It began with the massage office. Crown Center Massage Associates was going to be my five year plan. After all, they told me in school this was a lucrative field. In San Antonio or Houston, maybe. In Texarkana, not so much.

First, know who and what you are before you put yourself out there. People don't like change; potential clients or associates. Strike one.

Second, charge professional rates even as the diploma sweats ink. Charging less for lack of experience, then gently raising the ante doesn't work for two reasons. Clients who helped you start your business, supporting you in the lean days, object to being penalized with higher rates once you become established. Their take, they deserve the perk. Charging two rates for the same product, if that gets out - and it will - it is a whole other issue. Ethics is likely to bite you in the gluteus with that one as you explain to Mrs. Whoseit's best friend, because she wasn't around a year ago she isn't privy to the $35 rate. It gets messy.

Americans believe the more they pay, the better the product. At $35 how good could a massage or the therapist be? Charging less than the competition backfired. The advice I didn't take but offer, is jump right in. Charge the maximum the market will bear. You will live up to the potential or pay $60 for a stress release massage from your competitor.

Moving along, literally, I became an independent contractor for Arkansas Freight Solutions driving a bob truck up and down the East coast; New York to Florida. That was exhilarating. It didn't matter that I was a woman and not accepted by the rubber tramp fraternity. I still felt important because I was moving America and the pay was good. The problem started when diesel fuel topped regular gas after the oil and gas gang (government) discovered how much they could gouge the trucking industry with costlier fuel. When the contracting calls stopped, the beans got unpacked.

Finally, and we will let this article speak for itself, I work as a freelance writer/photographer. I've discovered many variety of beans and any number of flavors to camouflage my mundane existence. But would I trade for an eight to five? Not on your life. I may not eat Fillet of Sole with Cherries Jubilee, but I have the freedom to choose which variety of bean to eat with my rice tonight.

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