Change is on the way...

This may turn into a bit of a ramble, so thanks for bearing with me.

Since the first days of NPN, I have held a fulltime job in sales for a manufacturer of hot water heating products. Though the job required frequent travel, it also gave me lots of flexibility in my day-to-day schedule, which was necessary to keep up with NPN tasks. It was actually a pretty good arrangement – a regular paycheck that didn’t require me to “punch a clock” everyday. That said, I have always looked forward to the day that I could afford to leave the “day job” and focus my efforts entirely on self-employment opportunities, of which NPN is a major part.

Unfortunately, after nearly 8 years, my “day job” came to an unexpected end in July. With two daughters in college for the next 2 years, the timing could not have been worse. So I did what any responsible person would do – I immediately took another job that “pays the bills” but one that I knew from the start would be very difficult because it’s one of those “9 to 5” deals, or more precisely, “7:30 AM to 6:30 PM” (including a long commute), 5 days a week during which time I have very limited access to NPN. This job also requires me to stay late on Mondays for a sales meeting, so I don’t get home until 8:30.

So for the last 2 months, I have been getting up at 5:00 AM, doing part of the NPN daily work, rushing off to the day job (have to be there on time), and then spending another hour or two in the evening attempting to finish the NPN work. Not surprisingly, at 52 years old I have reached the end of my endurance to do this. When the weekends come, I struggle to motivate myself to do what’s left to be done.

After thinking long and hard, and trying to be as realistic as possible about the overall situation, I have decided to leave the “day job” and make the leap back into self-employment. Scary as it feels, as of Oct. 9 I will no longer have a “day job” or the paycheck we have come to depend on.

While I am apprehensive about loosing some financial security, I am also excited about finally having the freedom to pursue those things I enjoy, of which NPN is certainly a part of. While I’ll have the time and flexibility to better tend to NPN administrative tasks, I will also be working on developing new income streams with the hope that I’ll never again have to take another “day job” just to pay the bills. Writing, contractor training and perhaps professional product representation are on the list of what I plan to pursue.

With some time becoming available, here are some of the ideas I have for NPN – please feel free to comment and let me know what you think;

1. Continue to change the “cover shot” monthly but add new editorial content only as it becomes available. This will allow me to be more selective about what we “officially publish” and ease the end-of-month burden of having to prepare multiple articles. On average, each new issue requires about 6 to 8 hours of work to prepare and place online, depending on the number of articles, the number of photos and how much time is required to edit them. Thankfully, we have some talented writers who make the editing job much easier!

2. The addition of an “Articles Forum” where our members can “self-publish” their articles on NPN for critical review by/discussion with other members.

3. NPN Books. This topic is a tough one for me right now because of my failure to deliver the 2005 EPA books as promised. Without elaborating on the details of this failure other than my lack of time to stay on top of it as I should have, it’s safe to say that if I had the opportunity to do it over, I would take a different approach. There is tremendous opportunity for us to create and sell books, but it will also require tremendous commitment to make it happen. One thing is for certain – I cannot do it myself and will need to partner with others in a way that makes it worth their time.

4. Improvements for the Gift Shoppe section.

So to sum it up, I look forward to my immediate future with excitement and determination, but also with the knowledge that it’s a “swim or sink” situation. The worst case scenario is I ultimately have to take another day job and we loose some of our family savings in the process. But just as it has in the past, NPN will continue to flourish in any case.

As Wayne Gretsky said, “you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” I’m taking the shot, I just hope I don’t miss.

Jim, Best of luck in your new venture. I know how frightening it can be to completely change "tack". I am sure that many of the talented people on NPN will help in any way possible, me included. I would give a bit of advice from my own experience: stay positive, stay organized, stay goal directed and utilize the best tools and assistance available!

Hi Jim,
I haven't been to active in NPN over the years, but I just want to wish you all the best of luck in your endeavors relative to self employment. I had two daughters in college at the same time for two years, so I truly understand your feelings. Thank you for all you've done and will continue to do to make NPN a great website.
Gene Steinberg
Andover, New Jersey

Grace, good advice - thanks!

Ideas on how to make NPN more "community run" are appreciated. While NPN, Inc. is officially a business, a community of nature photographers is its soul. NPN is not about Jim Erhardt, but rather about the people (and their interests) who participate here.

Many years ago, John Herbst suggested that NPN should become the next NANPA, but offer more to its membership. In many ways, I think we have accomplished that. While NANPA remains an organization worth supporting, I think NPN does indeed now offer more. My point here is that NPN has become more of an "organization" than just a purely business-driven website to promote its owners.

So how do we take this beast, part business/part organization, and build upon it? IMO, the "organization" aspect is the one that best tells the story of where we're really about.

Gene, thanks!

Jim,

As someone who's been self-employed, I understand your fear. Good luck. You've done a great job with NPN and deserve to be able to support your family with you good work.

- Dan .

Jim,
Congratulations on taking the big step to go self-employed. My huge thanks to you for continuing to make this place the awesome place it has been. I can't even imagine the time & work you put into it but I want to truly thank you and wish you luck & success and of course personal happiness, for you to keep doing this!

You have my full support as I have learned SO MUCH in this site in the last year! I really like the idea of the Article Forum too. And would be one of the first in line to purchase the book.

Thanks Dan! NPN has become such an integral part of my life that any "day job" considerations must be able to peacefully coexist with it!

It has been kind of a "gray zone" scenario where the time I've had to work NPN was just enough to maintain it, but not enough to really move it ahead. I had always thought that if I could spend more time, more could be done. I now have an opportunity to test that theory - see this thread.

Thanks Becky! For all of the time and effort required, it's hearing how people benefit from NPN that makes it all worthwhile. Thanks for sharing your kind words!

BTW, just want to add that if it could be done, I would be thrilled and honored to spend all of my time overseeing NPN. For me, that would truly be a dream come true.

Jim,
I wish you well in your 'new' endeavors and congratulate you for taking the leap. Seeing what you have done with NPN over the years I am sure you will be successful. I think just changing the front cover on a monthly basis and publishing articles as they become available makes a lot of sense. It is the internet and you don't need to live with deadlines like traditional magazines. The idea for an articles forum sounds good as well. It could be a great place for sharing tips and techniques. Maybe even having suggested themes such as sharpening techniques or lighting approaches.....sort of like weekly challenges forum. I also look forward to purchasing a copy of a book.

Bill

PS...to all the lurkers...go ahead become a member it is well worth it. There is a great bunch of people here to learn from.

Quitting my full-time job was maybe the scariest thing I have ever done. It was also the very best thing I have ever done as well. I hope it works out the same for you. Best of success for you!

It is interesting you finished with Wayne’s quote. It is one I have used often over the years – it sums it up so well. Take the shot and make it!

Congratulations on having the the guts to give up your day job and go it along. It has been a dream of mine, but I Have not had either the guts or the funds to seriously consider such a move.

I like your ideas on the changes to NPN. In particular, I think that a continually changing format rather than a monthly format makes a certain amount of sense. I think that the self publishing idea is a great idea for members. To keep out off topic or inappropriate articles from being posted, you might recruit the regional moderators to give you a hand and remove the imappropriate article from view.

From your other thread, "Can we do better?", I agree with Roger Rouch's reply.

I wish you luck as you take off on your own. May NPN and TPN flourish!

It is interesting you finished with Wayne’s quote. It is one I have used often over the years – it sums it up so well. Take the shot and make it!

The statement really does ring true, but timing (and perhaps pure determination) is everything. I have often thought of what could be done if I "took the shot" and there is certainly no shortage of opportunity to do some good things (see Roger's idea and my response in this thread).

Good luck Jim! That's a scary step, and I commend you on the courage it takes to make that decision. I know you'll make it happen, and in the long run be very happy you chose that path. Keep your head up and persevere.

Jim,
I understand the fear and wish you all the best. At the same time it must be very exciting...

If I can be any help, I will be be very glad. Project#3 is not bad at all to start with, what say

I wish you the best Jim, NPN is by far the best photography site on the web.

Hi Jim,
you have made the right choice! Life is too short to spend it doing a work that you don't like ;-)

A couple of years ago, when I finished my education, I found a very good job...I left it after few time to pursue my dream of photographer. Now I'm a working pro and Canon CPS member

Wish you all the best!

Jim,

Congratulations! My last day at a 9:00 - 5:00 was September 7 of this year. The wife and I have accumulated the working capital to pursue our dream business, and we're leaving my beloved Windermere, Florida to start our business in Savannah, Georgia. Scary? Heck yes! I have one daughter that is a career college student. Walking away from a very dependable (large) salary, with a benefit package, and starting out on our own where we decide how much we earn by deciding how hard we want to work is very scary. But, we're living the American dream! I can always consult a few months a year for "mad money" if I want it (something has to put gas in the fishing boat). Good luck with your new adventure! Maybe we can be each other's support system when things get really scary.

Maybe we can be each other's support system when things get really scary.

That is an offer I can not turn down! Good luck with the move and the new biz!

Jim, first let me congratulate you on having the courage to reach out and follow your dreams in self employment. Yes, it is scary and there are no guarantees. However I have often said "If it were easy they wouldn't need us".

Secondly I want to thank you for all you and your familyhave done to make NPN the place it is. I look back on my photography over the past 3 + years of my participation and see a tremendous improvement. This is all due to the polite, constructive critiques of my collegues here on NPN and the wonderfuly instructive articles posted here. NPN is a most valuable resource for serious photographers.

Finally, I am a strong believer in giving back to those who have given to you. If there is anything I can volunteer to do to assist you in continuing the high quality of this site please let me know.

Good luck! I am sure a few years from now you will look back and smile at your accomplishments.

Congrats man, wow big step and a scarey one. I hope all goes well with the change and of course any way I can help here I'm also happy to volunteer.

I too am on a journey with my photography and have just registered my business name, organised logo's and now the wonderful tax department and then the web address. Hope to have it running by November and maybe one day I too can give up the 5days a week 9-5 job.

All the best and feel free to use me up if I can help

Congrats Jim,

I'm fully with Juza here....I also chose the difficult road to go after my dream, and although difficult at some times I will never regret it. A big step, and hopefully one you will never regret either. It takes courage to go after your dream...! I wish you all the best on your way, and if you ever need some support from the other side of the pond you know where to find me .

Thanks again to all for your best wishes!

Though this will be a new adventure, the "self employment gig" is nothing new for me. It's was only 11 years ago I left the self-employed heating contractor biz to take a "9 to 5." Working mostly single-handedly installing heating systems is something that took its toll on me physically over the decade I was doing that kind of work, so at that time the change made sense, just as the change now makes sense - and perhaps even more so.

I am really excited about finally having the time to further develop NPN!

Jim,
Congrats on the making the great change, It is a scarey thing, but if NPN is an indication of what you can do while working, I don't think retirement will be much of a problem...when I worked I had time for weekends, now that it is the weekend I don't have time for work.
Enyoy
Dave

Best of luck, Jim! If you're half as successful building your business as you've been building NPN, you're well on the path ro riches!

Guy

Thanks Guy! With the great group of people we have on NPN, I envision some great things in the future. Thanks for being a part of it!

Good luck Jim! I agree with Guy, the success of NPN speaks volume about you and your family.

Nathan

Jim,

Most of the important stuff has been already said. I just want to add my voice to the community of NPN'ers that stand solidly behind you and collectively wish you the best in all endeavors, both NPN and personal.

One of the reasons I joined this forum was because of how well organized it is, while not being too stuffy. It's causal, but very educational and informative at the same time. I think this is partly a testament to the the members of the forum, but more importantly, the result of the hard work by you, Jim. Perhaps this is your calling! Anyway, good luck on the new path, wherever it takes you.

By the way, I am in the process of working on a book for another photo group, so, if the book project does get going, let me know if I can help out.

Jim,

Best of luck...

Remember

"If its worth a dream, it ain't worth a compromise"

Just shout if you need anything.

Thanks again to all of you for your kind words and encouragement!

Good Luck Jim.
Now get to work

Jess, my "9 to 5" gig ends next Tuesday. On Wednesday, I'll be getting to work for real.

Thanks for the best wishes!

I am sure you will do just fine Jim. I only hope that your passion will continue to remain as such and not become "work" that is full of burdon... but what helps in this area, is money. and I hope it supports you and your family...and then some!
When I am out and about and come across a fellow photographer, I always pimp this site. I will continue to do so.

Congrats on making your own freedom, Jim. The determination that got you here will no doubt serve you well as you define the next steps. What ever lies around the corner, you'll no doubt have the support and encouragement of all those who you've touched through NPN. Whether or not its an easy path, it certainly won't be a lonely one.

Best of luck to you!

Rick L. - unlike my 9-to-5, NPN has always been a source a great satisfaction for me. The frustration I have long endured with NPN is simply not having enough time or energy to participate at the level I want to and to fulfill some of the ideas being discussed here and in the What can we do better? thread. I truly believe that NPN has the potential to be so much more.

BTW, thanks for plugging NPN!

Rick D. - thanks for your encouragement and support, as well as your work with RMNP. As you no doubt know, growth and improvement isn't always easy but the satisfaction of accomplishment makes it all worth while!

There's a common joke among salesreps. The first thing you do when you wake up in the morning is call your voicemail. If the system lets you in, you still have a job so you might as well get up, shave, and go to work! If you still have your plumber's license you can always work decent paying odd jobs in slow months if you had to. At any rate, you seem pretty well organized and have good people skills. I think you have a great shot at it. Best of luck!


Kent in SD

Sounds like you have the right ingredients at hand Jim- enthusiasm, flexibility and inspiration. A year from now the details may not resemble today's best guesses, but I'm betting you won't have many compelling reasons to go back to the day job. In our experience it's usually best to limit the big jumps in the early stages while using small steps to learn the lay of the land. By the end of a year the worthwhile big jumps are a lot easier to discern.

Kent and Hank, thanks!

Congrats on the new gig... I'm actually in the opposite boat. Finishing up contracting and starting FT at a corp job on the 9th. Best of luck with your individual efforts. Dealing with layoffs is not only stressful, but aggrevating. The efforts you make for NPN are great and the results even if they may fall short for your goals don't come across that way to the likes of others like myself. Best of luck... and if there is anything I can do to help let me know.

Good luck Jim.

As Gretzky says, you miss 100% of the shots you don't take, but even the Great One didn't hit every shot he took. Don't get discouraged if the first shot or two don't go in. Keep taking high percentage shots and sooner or later you will score big time.

Good luck, Jim! As others have remarked, having had the experince of building up NPN to what it is today, you should have little to really worry about. You have another thread going about online shopping outlets. Now that I have purchased from NPN, I should encourage others to do likewise as the service from your end is great!