Why I wouldn't start my own business

One of my self appointed responsibilities at my job is to produce marketing materials. I was not hired to do this and shortly after being hired I elected to do it. I started by updating some forms and then moved my way into brochures, postcards, and business cards. When my boss decided to begin a newsletter he asked me to put it together and mail it out. Recently one of our customers had asked my boss who he has do the the newsletter and my boss explained that it is done in-house. That customer called me today and asked if I would be willing to do his newsletter on the side. I was so excited until the over-the-phone interview started. He asked if I had a degree in graphic design... no, he then asked if I have any formal education in graphic design...no, he then said that he is looking for someone with a bit more education!!!

Why is education, rather than finished product used as a measure of ones abilities? He liked my work but because I don't have a piece of paper that says I had been educated in creating that piece of work he wont contract me? I can create a piece of paper that says I was educated enough to make his newsletter.

Anyway, the conversation led me to think of a comment from my co-worker. He has a friend, who I know well, who is looking into possibly beginning a web design company and suggested that I work for him. I started thinking of what I would call the business if I had the opportunity to do so. I really like the name of the company I work for now because it includes a part of the owner's family name but is not egotistical enough to only name it after his family name (Gledix Technologies vs. Gledhill Technologies). I then thought about doing the same with my last name which made me laugh because I could picture the possible lawsuit that would follow should I start a website or web design business called www. boydix .com or www. boylix .com!!! (spaces were added to avoid creating an actual link that just may lead to such a site) I was driving at the time and must have looked like an idiot as I laughed out loud by myself. When I got back to the office I told my boss about my company name woes and he had a good laugh too.