Families of SOs Community Group
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We all know that steady employment is a huge problem with registrants.
I have maintained for years that self-employment is one of the best solutions to this employment problem.
For the past several months, I have been immersed in a complete mess trying to get someone out to install some vinyl laminate flooring I purchased at Home Depot. Home Depot apparently subcontracts their carpet and flooring installation out to private contractors.
Today Home Depot sent a subcontractor out to install the laminate flooring. He did not seem to know what he was doing, but I had to leave for about an hour to go to the pharmacy to pick up a prescription. I told him I would be right back.
When I came back he was gone and never came back. I called Home Depot and they said that they are having a terrible time getting and keeping installers willing to work.
I had this same problem when I wanted a deck built a couple of summers ago. Nobody wanted to work and get their hands dirty. Good workers---people who know what they are doing--- is very difficult to find here.
So I encourage registrants that you sometimes have to think outside the box. You will never be able to work at some retail outlets, but there is a lot of work out there for people who want to become self-employed and if you are good at it, you WILL stay busy and make money.
I have a couple of friends who were in prison with me who had sex offender charges. One is now making a decent living installing metal roofs, building add ons, and installing siding. The other one has a landscaping business, but about all he does is mow lawns. Neither of these jobs are behind the desk jobs, but these guys are good and it keeps a roof over their family's heads.
Another guy I was in prison with took a one year vo-tech type welding course in prison the last year before I came home. That was a few years ago, but he is currently earning between $25 to $30 an hour in the Tulsa area.
If you are self-employed you don't have to worry about job applications and you cannot fire yourself because of your sex offender status; and my welder friend says they don't care if you are a registrant as long as you can do the job.
So while registrants obviously cannot become doctors, teachers, or corporate executives, with a little ingenuity and hard work, there IS work out there.
The only problem is that some states have enacted laws making it illegal for a registrant to do any kind of work in which he is within the house or on the property. That would preclude computer repair, electrician, plumber, etc. And some people might have a problem with hiring a registrant, although it would not bother a lot of people. But if you are good with reasonable prices, many will jump at the chance just to get the job done.
Just trying to help and give someone some ideas.
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I have maintained for years that self-employment is one of the best solutions to this employment problem.
For the past several months, I have been immersed in a complete mess trying to get someone out to install some vinyl laminate flooring I purchased at Home Depot. Home Depot apparently subcontracts their carpet and flooring installation out to private contractors.
Today Home Depot sent a subcontractor out to install the laminate flooring. He did not seem to know what he was doing, but I had to leave for about an hour to go to the pharmacy to pick up a prescription. I told him I would be right back.
When I came back he was gone and never came back. I called Home Depot and they said that they are having a terrible time getting and keeping installers willing to work.
I had this same problem when I wanted a deck built a couple of summers ago. Nobody wanted to work and get their hands dirty. Good workers---people who know what they are doing--- is very difficult to find here.
So I encourage registrants that you sometimes have to think outside the box. You will never be able to work at some retail outlets, but there is a lot of work out there for people who want to become self-employed and if you are good at it, you WILL stay busy and make money.
I have a couple of friends who were in prison with me who had sex offender charges. One is now making a decent living installing metal roofs, building add ons, and installing siding. The other one has a landscaping business, but about all he does is mow lawns. Neither of these jobs are behind the desk jobs, but these guys are good and it keeps a roof over their family's heads.
Another guy I was in prison with took a one year vo-tech type welding course in prison the last year before I came home. That was a few years ago, but he is currently earning between $25 to $30 an hour in the Tulsa area.
If you are self-employed you don't have to worry about job applications and you cannot fire yourself because of your sex offender status; and my welder friend says they don't care if you are a registrant as long as you can do the job.
So while registrants obviously cannot become doctors, teachers, or corporate executives, with a little ingenuity and hard work, there IS work out there.
The only problem is that some states have enacted laws making it illegal for a registrant to do any kind of work in which he is within the house or on the property. That would preclude computer repair, electrician, plumber, etc. And some people might have a problem with hiring a registrant, although it would not bother a lot of people. But if you are good with reasonable prices, many will jump at the chance just to get the job done.
Just trying to help and give someone some ideas.
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This goes to show that self employment does work....
Yes, self-employment does work-----self-employment and hard work.
Brain, you have done very well for yourself with all the hurdles you have had being a registrant. I applaud you.
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I read through your post several times. That is an EXCELLENT bit of advice and your philosophy is a winner every time. Every registrant looking for employment should read and absorb that post.
Great, great advice.
Glad that you are doing well.
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You are such a wise person. Some people never would have thought about going and working for themselves. I have thought about it. I still have to look into the cost of starting a company and do some soul searching and find what my skills include lol but great piece of info
I will ask this though; Our business derives about 80-85% of our income from doing public events(farmers markets, holiday shows, special events) something that we cannot lose. I'm wondering how strict the SO status will be if and when it gets applied to me.
I thought to myself, "Wow, laying flooring is hard work, but not complicated once you learn. They are begging for qualified workers. This is something that might help other registrants and give them ideas to make their quality of life better for them and their families."
I talk to registrants about this quite often. They usually say, "Oh, I can't do that. I don't know enough about business; I am not that smart," or "I am not qualified to build a deck or put on siding."
Folks, I started a pharmacy business with NO business experience AT ALL. To start a business it only takes some common sense. You must start small and of course not spend more than you take in, BUT you young men and women CAN do this. Then your employment problems are over and you can be damn proud of what you did.
And of course, nobody can build a deck or put on metal roofs to start with, but one thing we can all do is work for a while and LEARN. I can't bake a cake from scratch, but I could learn if my livelihood depended on it.
Owning and operating a successful business that you can call your own is also a confidence builder and a self-esteem enhancer. We registrants sometimes need a more positive self-image more than anything.
Folks these jobs I mentioned are not rocket science. Anyone can learn them, BUT they are HARD, DIRTY, work with long hours. But there is honor, I think, in doing a job and doing it well.
Read Sparky's post a few posts above mine. He said it much better than I could----"" I work hard, and sleep better at night knowing that the next day, I still have a job. For those he need work, there are so many things possible and it starts with yourself, and an idea. I learned along time ago, that the money is not coming to me, I have to go out and earn it the old fashion way, Whatever it takes, I will provide for my family. I know its hard for many, but dont give up.""
Kali, not all states have that restriction. Some states preclude a registrant from actually going into the residence and some go so far as to prevent a registrant from even working on the property.
I preach to people that the registry is unfortunate and it does indeed have many restrictions, but there are ways to MITIGATE those restrictions and make it tolerable.
There IS a way to make it through this period of registration. But it takes a lot of effort, hard work, and thinking outside the box to do so.
Hope this helps someone.
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Anyone can mow a lawn. If you mow one lawn a day, you will be that much richer than if you did nothing. Any success starts with a dream and an idea.
He built his business and is doing fine. He has branched out into fixing fences and other odd jobs.
It only takes the WILL and the confidence to try. If you are not sure of yourself, enroll at one of those vo tech schools to teach you.
You might say, "Well, nobody would hire me because of my registrant status." IF you are good at what you do, are polite to the customers, and charge a reasonable price, you WILL get plenty of jobs.
One problem with America is that too many people do not really want to work, sweat, and get their hands dirty.
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