contract work an inside look at
by Karen Ridder
Contract workers are a growing part of the business plan. Employers are us-
ing this option to alleviate paperwork and allow for growth while keeping overhead low. Skilled workers are drawn to the flexibility and freedom contracting offers. While Stacey Geier contract work can be a solution for many, those experienced with testing the waters see some important issues to consider before deciding if contract work is right for you or your business.
Striking out on your own
Stacey Geier started Stacey Ink Marketing when she had the opportunity to go part time after 10 years of working for the state. This part-time income offered some stability while she jump-started her business. After getting
some experience under her belt, she quit her “day job” and went full time doing contract work.
Advantages
Geier found many advantages to being a contractor. Flexibility was one of the biggest. “You can choose whether you want to work a lot of hours or a few hours, and that’s nice,” Geier says. “If it’s a nice day and you want to have lunch or run errands you can and then work later. Geier also loved the networking opportunities she was able to take advantage of as a way to grow her client base. Meeting a lot of new people became a real positive in her life. Picking and choosing who you want to work with is another plus, but one that Geier warns can be a double edged sword. “You don’t want to burn bridges. So, it can be hard to figure out how to be strategic about your target audience and client base.”
Pitfalls
Top of the list for pitfalls--not having work stability. That means a variable income which can make budgeting difficult. Geier says having money saved up to help float the budget through a lean month is crucial. Another pitfall is not having a set work schedule.
“While everyone else is working 8:00 to 5:00, you’re probably working 5:00 in the morning to 8:00 at night,” she explains. More often than not, freelancers and contract workers also end up working more hours
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Winter 2011
TK...Topeka's Business Magazine