How Long do You Plan to Stay in Business?

[Rob]

On my blog today I feature an interesting survey carried out by UK's Barclays Bank (http://www.smallbusinesssuccess.biz/forum/blog.php?b=41). It seems that small business owners are planning to stay with their businesses longer than their marriage partner!

How long are you planning to run with your business? Are you in it for the long haul or is your plan to build it up and sell it on (for a profit of course!), or is your current business merely a stepping stone on to something bigger and better?

[lady macbeth]

I think we planned to retire at a reasonable age. I was 36 when we bought the business and I would like to be retired by say 55 or 60. OMG thats 25 years !!!!!!!!!! :eek::eek:

Yup - my marriage only lasted 11 - looks like the survey was right ;)

Samantha

[FionaFell]

I wanna to operate my business for a few more years.

I want to 'run' and 'direct' my business into retirement. Having a few years before me until then.

Changing direction, and moving with life's changes, is something that will evolve but I still see myself wanting to be in business for the next 30 years.

[cliann13]

An interesting question, more so in light of the economic crunch.
Three R's Recession, Redundancy and Retirement are going to be the biggest stimulants to people starting small businesses in the next few years.
There is nothing like the shock of the three R's to get people off their R's and into a new income stream.

Cheers
Cliff

[Rob]

Cliff,

I like the 3 'R's' - not heard that one before and a neat summary of many people's inspiration to start up.

I wonder what percentage of start ups occur as a result of one these events? Would make interesting reading.

[Jenna]

If everything goes fine then i wish to remain in the business till the end of my life

[Rob]

Great! You can't get better than that!

[ameshen]

If I'm very successful in business, I will be on it for life. :)

[great]

I want to stay in business as long as it is possible.