Data Bases • Custom Term Papers • Free Term Papers • Free Research Papers • Free Essays • Free Book Reports • Plagiarism? Links • Top 100 Term Paper Sites • Top 25 Essay Sites • Top 50 Essay Sites • Search 97,000 Papers @ DirectEssays.com • Search 101,000 Papers @ ExampleEssays.com • Search 90,000 Papers @ MegaEssays.com Free Essays • Term Paper Sites • Chuck III's Free Essays • Free College Essays • TermPaperSites.com • My Term Papers • Get Free Essays • Essay World • Planet Papers	Search Lots of Essays Back to Subjects - Miscellaneous Starting from scratch Starting from scratch "I had the desire that I could do something better than anyone else," states Jim Vitiello, president and CEO of US Office Solutions. This desire dawned on Vitiello seven years ago when he decided to take on the tasks of starting his own company. Little did he know that this desire would affect his life in many ways; many risks are taken, many are sacrifices made, but the outcome lasts a lifetime. Starting out many people may possess a fear when confronted with the thought of opening their own business. It is this fear that Vitiello used as his motivation in the early years. "You risk everything. There's fear of failure, of starting over. I succeeded by fear of failure." Vitiello quit his very secure job at American Office Equipment to start his own company because he felt he was being held back from what he was capable of doing. The well-being of Jim and his family is a major risks Jim took, but a physical risks Jim almost took occurred about 17 years ago when Jim worked as a delivery boy for Panisonic. A delivery had to be made to the Cabrini Green housing projects and Jim had won a coin toss not to go. So his co-worker went and an hour later he stormed through the door yelling "I got shot in the ass!" Apparently a stray bullet hit the poor delivery man. Jim also found it amusing that the guy came back to the company before going to the hospital. Along with the risks, sacrifices are also a big part of starting your own company. Vitiello's biggest sacrifice was the time he spent on the new company and not with his family. The first couple years of starting a new company takes much work and dedication. Time with family and friends must be cut back to have success. A person's social life may become nonexistent until the company can stand alone. Vitiello recalls "I miss my family and friends, it's hard to stay positive with such a heavy workload." Another sacrifice made by Vitiello was his initial financial loss. Vitiello left his job and started his new company, reducing his income initially by 75%. The financial loss 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 elementary school, looked after themselves more often. Vitiello traded his nice company car from his former job for a more economical one. "As a family, we couldn't go out to dinner anymore. Where at one time we visit the movie theater at least once a week, now we would stay in and rent movies," reflected Vitiello. However, once one has endured these many hardships, the reward or letdown is sure to follow. Of course the best part of owning your own company is the money. "My income raised significantly compared to what I used to make," claimed Vitiello. "I think it is what has had the biggest affect on my life and changed my lifestyle the most." Now the Vitiello's are able to take vacations often, 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 the freedom. "I can set up my own process of how I want things to run. I like the fact that I can 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 utter devastation 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 the affects of doing so, will greatly affect their lives. Everyone wants to succeed, but the fact of the matter is that less than a majority of them do. But if one puts in the hard work and dedication like Vitiello did, anything is possible. Bibliography: Jim Vitiello Word Count: 702
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