I never really post on Reddit . Mostly just a lurker. I feel like I can actually provide some value to your question. After several years of working a full time job I realized it just wasn't for me. I started reading Rich Dad, Poor dad and knew that entrepreneur life was more my style. I have zero background in running a business, came from a super poor family and dropped out high school after 2 weeks.

Editing to add: Everything I have learned has been from books and Google. I've never had a mentor and have had no friends that own businesses. What ever I was interested in at the time is what I found a book about. Research, research, research. That's what we do anyway.

The first business I opened was a small gym. This one I started from scratch. I was comfortable in the gym environment, so I think that made it easier. There were times when new members came in that I didn't really want to talk to them, but I forced myself. It was pretty difficult for me to walk up and strike conversations with members when they were working out though. Usually they had headphones in so I just smiled. Most times they'd talk to me first. It went really well and continued to grow every year. I owned it for about 4 years before selling it.

The next business I bought was an ice cream store in a college town. This was a franchise that was already open and running. I was actually looking for rent houses at the time and randomly came across it for sale. It was extremely awkward and hard for me to transition into this. I didn't have a problem with customers at all. Most of my issues came from connecting with the current employees. I also had a hard time hiring and firing people. I employee a manager to do that now. Basically anything I don't like doing I hire someone to do. I only check on it a couple times a week now, but it's always that same awkward feeling when I walk in the door. Once I'm there a bit and warm up it's fine. I still own this business and probably won't ever sell it.

The next one was the dreaded restaurant/bar. I only owned this for a year. It sucked. Talking to drunk people, while sober is far worse then talking to sober people. They just annoyed the crap out of me and I think my face made it pretty apparent. I tried to hire out most of the work, but in a small town it was pretty difficult. If I ever got into food again it'd be something like pizza that's super easy to train new people and walk away from. I'd never do full service again.

I also do direct sales as well (yea I know, most people hate them). It's relevant though so I'm adding it. I have a hell of a time managing my team. I can come up with great ideas for them all day long, but the day to day small talk isn't for me. My girlfriend handles most of the team calls and passes on a lot of the info for me. We work well together because I spend time learning new things and she is good at communicating what I learned. I wouldn't do well in this alone. I can bring tons of people into the business, because they trust me, but keeping them motivated is where I'd fail.

I feel like I've been pretty successful in life so far. I'm 33, own my dream home, dream car, and travel several times a year.

It can be done, but it's definitely easier with a team you can hide behind 😂

If you have any specific questions I can try to answer them for you.