"You will not get rich as long as you will not have to work at least one person"

When Roman Shisterov in high school, a wise teacher of history used to say: "You will never get rich as long as you will not have to work at least one person." Today, Roman - Director Bureau «Red» Graphic DesignWhich serves about 100 customers. But before becoming an entrepreneur, he had to try his hand at least as a printing house and a freelancer.

In this interview you will learn about what a real live Russian entrepreneur and what has changed since then, as it has got its own business.

"If my current situation to describe the language of science, I am at the point of break-even"

Roman, how, when and why did you decide to open your business?

In spring 2009, the Sverdlovsk Region Government to support small businesses launched a project "Start Your Own Business". As part of his training sessions were held, following which it was possible to get a grant. Was given to 300 000 rubles, but I got a few less. However, for the start-up just enough. Registered IP, bought equipment, rented office and began to work.

The main reason for creating your own business was, of course, greed. Kidding (laughing). At first, the difference with freelance income is almost imperceptible. His work - is a natural stage in a professional career, as well as any executive position. Just someone that's interesting, and someone - no. But terms like "self-realization" in principle do not like, there is in them something sectarian.

For the money to be an entrepreneur and a freelancer - is almost the same, I understand correctly?

Yes, if the business starts. Take full period of my work - it's about a year. Grant, I "rescued" in the first 6 months. The money is not lost, but my expenses have increased. For example, for the lease of office today give 10 thousand. rubles per month, for the Internet, as a legal entity - 3000 rubles, and pay for telephone and other services. And among other things on my conscience more taxes. And when the freelancer was 300 rubles a month, he gave over the Internet, worked quietly and mustache is not blowing.

If my current situation to describe the language of science, I am at the point of break-even. A large customers, who under any pretext with freelance work will not be in the future for me, like IP, great prospects, because there are among my clients.

What do you like in the business and what is not?

I will not complain, do not like: took a tug - do not say that a pound. There is a lovely video illustrating the complexity of the standard design studios:

Well, except for customer relationship designer in the status of an entrepreneur there are certain disadvantages. For example, the reluctance of banks to lend, high fee for Internet.

And like everything - the work of the sea, lacks everything and you can even make friends with competitors.

To work on time, not what it used to ...

What is the difference between the time when you were a salaried employee, and the current situation from the point of view of the organization of the working day?

His work is very disciplined. When he was an employee, he allowed himself to come to work for lunch. The authorities tolerated simply because I did a good layout. And now I understand that for my part it was disgusting. For now, at the very same designers dolt.

Now, this does not allow. Daughter see off to school and run to work. I make a tight work plan for designers (they have two) so that they can work without getting tired of doing nothing.

Myself work from 10 am to 21 pm. In this case, I have only one day off - Saturday. All the rest of the time aki a bee buzz.

How to motivate yourself to work?

Productivity secret is simple: know what you fight. Mammoth drove himself, he killed himself ate. Initially career when even ordinary designer was sometimes faced with the fact that the client is accepted only one of the three layout. At such times, I wanted to quit. And now, when there are already professional experience happen unless physical fatigue, and morale is always a rest.

Something had to be sacrificed for the sake of business? We have become less sleep there?

Time was less. But now I just use it rationally. For example, once he started his business, joined the gym. Now, business and sport for me related stuff. Not to say that there is smaller. Is it just to sleep. More than 6 hours a day does not work.

In this case the main thing to not be lazy. Simultaneously with me started two girls. Also received a grant. One was given to the fitness room, the second - in the advertising agency. Most entrepreneurs will sooner or later there is a thought: "I have done well, I can afford to go on vacation." Here are a few months later, one went to rest somewhere in Europe. While went, its room for rent surrendered. Second, while in Turkey, relaxed, lost a good customer. The client simply advertising manager gave way at the wrong time, and it is urgently needed to resolve some issue. A businesswoman at this time sunbathing on the sea. I returned - and the customer is not a customer.

The first 2-3 years can not relax at all. Although it is possible that I am too serious attitude to this. Maybe someone turns to conduct business effortlessly, and so they relax at the beginning of the path.

Strange customers and no less strange orders

You said that at first refused to take customers orders. As you fought with this?

There is a type of the customer, which cater to just unreal. Not that he is bad or finicky, it's just not my customer. After graduation, often met with such. Now, almost "we do not see each other," because I work primarily with older clients. Some of them make orders already since 2004. Just got used to each other.

Generally, the first of my clients were those with whom I have worked, while still being a freelancer. They are within six months remained the main source of income. Then he launched the site, made him promotion, and slowly began to contact new customers. Word of mouth is very good. Sometimes they call and say, we have advised Victor (Sergei, Anna, Alexander ...), I do not even silyus remember who it could be. We advised - work.

By the way, many customers I have never seen, even in the same city we live. Simply udalenke work.

And "interesting" customers were in your practice?

Absolutely. Customer of such series occurs once per six months. Perhaps, just to lighten the mood. We immediately understand that client is not configured for the purchase. And take the order, only if you have time.

One day we received a rather interesting specification for logo design. Company name "Chip and Dale". Description: Service of personal services. The company is engaged in plumbing, repair, building, electrical, transportation. In general, everything. It was their first logo, and they wanted to use it to create a reliable manner, kindness, comfort and achieve memorability. At the end of the job was a note - NOT draw Disney characters (maybe Fox and Beaver).

The order we did not take, because there was a lot. But also did not miss the opportunity to play.

Another case happened a few years ago. There is a brand of children's products for creativity "Orange Elephant". The guys who worked for this franchise started haggling "left" products. franchise owners quickly reminded that you can trade only their goods. The first angry, and came to us with the order. We want, say, the same elephant, only yellow.

I tried to "pull" from the original drawing. They fought, fought. As a result, they took the order. But when we went to record, they were told that "Yellow Elephant" is already taken. And so I really did not earn anything, and they do not embody the dream. Sam elephant case, no one needs?

For the convenience of doing business tool still lacks

What are the tools for conducting business use?

There is a web service Elba. About him know, probably, already practically all businesses. It helps to take statements and generally conduct business. I initially banal account could not put. I connected to the Elbe. Now I go to from any computer - all at your fingertips, including the history. Elementary - to come to the customer on the spot all the "zakryvashki" (acts) print out.

With the help of the Elbe now also rent statements. But just in case, always double-check the old-fashioned way - accountant. A single mistake during use is not found, and I reinsured. Habit.

What else besides the internet accounting is necessary for a comfortable business?

Social network business, which in Russia is not so far. Foreign analogue - LinkedIn. So I would directly into the Elbe and implemented this network, because all who use electronic accounting services - small business. And we can be to each other as partners and customers. For example, I recall for their website wrote and received referrals to your site.

Ideally, there should be this: went to the Elbe, found client / employee / contractor, talked, spent all accounting transactions. Everyone is happy and satisfied.

Roman, thank you for the interview!

Elba - Layfhakera partners