started his new company, reducing his income initially by 75%. The financialloss that Jim initially suffered had a ripple affect into his family's lifestyle. His wife, Patti,who didn't previously need a job, took up two jobs. His two children both in elementaryschool, looked after themselves more often. Vitiello traded his nice company car from hisformer job for a more economical one. "As a family, we couldn't go out to dinneranymore. Where at one time we visit the movie theater at least once a week, now wewould stay in and rent movies," reflected Vitiello. However, once one has endured thesemany hardships, the reward or letdown is sure to follow. Of course the best part ofowning your own company is the money. "My income raised significantly compared towhat I used to make," claimed Vitiello. "I think it is what has had the biggest affect on mylife and changed my lifestyle the most." Now the Vitiello's are able to take vacationsoften, attend sporting events, and do many leisure activities they didn't used to be able to. Along with the raised income, another reward for owning your own company is thefreedom. "I can set up my own process of how I want things to run. I like the fact that Ican hire the kind of people I want working with me. I can make my own decisions,"added Vitiello "This was much better than before where I had to be at work at set times."Of course the flip-side is if the company doesn't succeed. This usually proves to be utterdevastation for the entrepreneur. Starting over is something no one wants to deal with. For whatever the reason a person has to start their own business, they must realize that theaffects of doing so, will greatly affect their lives. Everyone wants to succeed, but the factof the matter is that less than a majority of them do. But if one puts in the hard work anddedication like Vitiello did, anything is possible....
