Branching Off on Own
Branching Off on Own
(OP)
I’m wanting to start my own civil consulting firm, but I don’t want to be unethical or burn any bridges. I would basically be a direct competitor with my previous employer and my first clients would be ones from that previous job. I left my last company about 7 months ago because I moved out of state. Clients that I was close with and only worked with me asked if I could continue working on their projects, however at the time I wasn’t thinking about going off on my own. Things have changed and I think it would be a good opportunity for me to take that jump and try starting my own company. Since my experience, network and connections are back in my previous state, I would start off continuing work In that state with some of my old clients. Is it unethical to reach back out to those clients and let them know I’ve started working for myself? If so, how does anyone branch off on their own? You need clients to start with, right? Also, I left my last company on good terms and don’t want to burn any bridges with my previous boss. Should I let him know I’m starting my own firm or just let him find out in his own? I want to be ethical and treat everyone right but at the same time I need to do what’s best for my family. Would love everyone’s thoughts and opinions and what worked for you!
RE: Branching Off on Own
RE: Branching Off on Own
I've been going through a somewhat similar transition. I was working for a firm but got an offer in a connected but different industry. I was able to leave on excellent terms and, as soon as restrictions lift and it's safe to do so, we're all still planning to go get a beer together. Well several months after I left, I started getting some calls from people asking if I wanted to do some work on the side. I decided to go all in with it and get the appropriate licenses, insurance, etc. It's still a part time deal (my current employer doesn't offer services to the public, so I'm not competing with my employer or violating any no moonlighting policies), but it's technically in direct competition with my old employer.
I went ahead and contacted the leadership of my old firm and let them know that I was doing it. I'm making a point to not market directly to their clients, but that's a matter of personal choice rather than ethics - and I'm also not turning them away if they call. Before you make the plunge, you may want to reach back out to those old clients and remind them of the conversations you had and see if they still feel the same way. Maybe they've settled in with your replacement and don't want to change. Or maybe they found another firm and they don't want to go through another switch so quickly. Or maybe they're sitting around every evening drowning their sorrow over you moving away. (We'll hope for some version of the last one!)
I have the luxury of folding up shop and just working my regular job if I so choose, so I can afford to maintain that bridge better than you may be able to. I'm also not in a position to really compete with them on the big money makers, anyway. That's an important thing to consider. What size projects are you taking on? There comes a point where it's just not feasible to do the design, calculations, drafting, etc. within the time frame of many projects if you're by yourself. So for now I'm one of the detestable "bottom feeders" that picks up the minor inspections, repairs, the odd addition, etc. One day I'll grow out of it, but for now I'm not capable of operating at the same level and won't try because I'll end up doing a disservice to the client and the engineering community. That may be something to think about. After all, ours is an industry of relationships. A firm's true value is in the relationships it is able to make and maintain, which means the value is in the people. If they can't keep the people who hold the value, then that's their fault (usually). You have value and you owe it to yourself to use that value for the benefit of you and your family. If your old firm can't respect that, then are they really the sort of people you want to maintain close ties with?
RE: Branching Off on Own
https://www.legalnature.com/guides/are-non-compete...
TTFN (ta ta for now)
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RE: Branching Off on Own
Never ever works out as you would like. ...
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RE: Branching Off on Own
RE: Branching Off on Own
RE: Branching Off on Own
TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies forum1529: Translation Assistance for Engineers Entire Forum list http://www.eng-tips.com/forumlist.cfm