[MBannon]

<p>Today is my first day of it.  After eleven years at the same desk and eleven years of listening to the owner (now age 77) assure us that he would get a transition plan into place "in the next twelve months or so" I finally decided it was time to secure my future.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>To that end, my wife and I (she also worked there) just quit our jobs and, along with another employee, have formed Granite Point Tax Group, LLC.  The website is nearly complete and will be online soon, we are pursuing two potential office spaces, pricing computers, printers, desks, chairs, software (our largest expense), etc etc etc.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>It's scary, it's fun, it's exciting.  I'd love to hear from any of you that have been through it, have success or failure stories, words of wisdom, anything you've got.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Onward and Upward!</p>

 

[AdCo]

<p>Congrats!!!!! You'll do great. I'll send anyone who needs a new flugenimer machine your way!  <img alt="banana.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/banana.gif"></p>

 

[Yo Sake]

<p>Congrats on the huge steps.  I had my own translation company for about an year when I was in mid 20's.  The biggest shock to be self-employed was the gigantic self-employment tax.  And of course ups and downs of the work loads.  Since you are a specialist on the tax front and you have been doing this for a while, you know what to expect. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   </p>

 

[TriBob]

<p>Best of luck!</p>

 

[Swimmerbee]

<p>good luck!! I was self-employed 20 years ago, incorporated @ 10 years ago and the company is going strong today.  Try not to grow faster than you have to.  If more cna be done form the home and a leased shared use site that cna be better than the overhead of dedicated offices, there are lots of palces catering to this (you lease an address and use of the meeting room or a single office).  Today's market is once again turning to small buisnesses so if you can cater to them you should have a lot of new clients. </p>

 

[BethR]

I have no advice, but awesome for you guys and much luck!!

 

[Tri-Tammy]

<p>I am totally jealous Matt!  You guys are going to do great!!!  And I sooooo love the name!!!  We must celebrate.  <span><img alt="banana.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/banana.gif" style="width:33px;height:35px;"></span></p>

 

[zojmn151]

<p>Congrats!  DH started his own business 3 years ago and hopes to never go back!</p>

 

[jroden]

<p>self employment ruins you for having a regular job, I can't picture working for someone else.   You did the right thing.  What are you doing for health insurance?  That's my biggest headache, I'm constantly switching plans.</p>

 

[pcsronbo]

Consider hiring a PEO for health insurance and other benefits headaches

 

[pcsronbo]

Congrats btw!

 

[TriAndStopMe]

<p>Woo hoo!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>(And nice job on the name... I don't remember that one.  Sounds solid as a rock.  (a concept that's as comforting in accounting firms as it is in financial firms like Prudential)</p>

 

[LookiLoo]

<p>Congrats!! I have no good advice as I have never attempted to 'go it on my own', but just wanted to wish you the best!!</p>

 

[neil donnelly]

<p>Congratulations Matt - I Have done the same thing 9 years ago and so far so good -</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I love the name</p>
<p> </p>
<p>N</p>

 

[SpartyGirl]

<p>Congratulations Mr. Bannon. <span><img alt="icon_thumleft.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/icon_thumleft.gif"></span></p>

 

[juliemboyle]

<p>Congrats to you, your wife and your partner!  My DH started his own business with his partner 14 years ago.  It was a little scary in the beginning and he put in a lot of long hours and for the first 2 years took a big drop in income.  But for the last 12 years the business has been going strong, he's doing well financially and couldn't be happier about his decision.  His partner was a friend that he had worked with before.  Their partnership was successful as they had very clearly defined roles:  DH was sales & marketing and Dan was operations.  This worked really well for them.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I wish you the best!  It's scary and exciting and as JR says, you'll never want to work for someone again!</p>

 

[mrscoby78]

<p>So, you're doing all LIT taxes free of charge?  <span><img alt="icon_tongue.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/icon_tongue.gif" style="width:15px;height:15px;"></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p>How wonderfully scarily exciting!!!  Good luck!</p>

 

[em73]

<p>congrats, Matt!</p>

 

[Heather H]

<p>Congrats Matt! Sounds like a good decision</p>

 

[ksurp]

<p>Congrats and good luck to you!</p>