PrintJean Sifleet quit her job as a lawyer and CPA to start her own business and work for herself.
Owner: Jean Sifleet, 52
Current business: SmartFast, a Littleton, MA-based provider of networking, legal, and business services that helps entrepreneurs with organization and planning, contracts and licensing, and employment and tax issues.
Founded: 1994, as a traditional consulting and legal practice. Went online in January 2000.
Revenue: Approximately $150,000
Employees: Two part-time independent contractors, a paralegal, and an administrator.
Previous life: As both an attorney and a CPA, Sifleet began her career working for a large law firm and a major accounting firm. She then spent 20 years as a business manager in the high-tech industry. The same year she started SmartFast, Sifleet teamed up with a friend to launch a consignment shop for furniture and accessories. She and her partner sold the store in the fall of 1999.
Why she went into business: "There came a point when I wanted to break out. I wanted to be in charge. I spent so many years in a corporate environment where the decision-making process was protracted. I wanted to make my own decisions and live with the consequences. I also wanted the time and flexibility to be available for my kids who, at the time, were 10, 12, and 14."
Was most scared about: "I enjoy working as part of a team, so I was afraid of the isolation of working alone. I was also worried that I'd be flying blind — that I might miss something when it came to figuring out the right solutions to business problems."
Best thing about being your own boss: "I make the decisions."
Miss about working for someone else: "The biggest adjustment is that the paycheck doesn't show up automatically."
Average day like: "On Tuesdays and Thursdays I work at home. That's when I concentrate on writing and doing focused, uninterrupted reading and research. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays I work in the office and meet with clients. I get up at about 6:30 a.m., and I'm usually in the office by 8:30 a.m. By the time I've had dinner in the evening, I'm cooked. I don't work late into the night."
Biggest challenge: "The most difficult thing is getting a crisis phone call from a client who needs instant help. I give them the best advice I can, but I encourage clients to not let things get to a crisis point and to call me before a serious problem develops."
Best source of advice and support: "Building a set of resources is very important. I created a roundtable group of about 30 women attorneys with different areas of expertise. We share referrals and advice and help one another deal with the home-alone stuff. When I started the business, I wanted a mentor. Through the local bar association I found a guy who was about to retire, and he agreed to mentor me. He's a great resource when I have a really thorny problem. And my husband is a good sounding board. He's honest with me and points out things I need to think about."
Separate business and personal life by: "Renting an office. I did it two years ago because I found I couldn't leave work alone when I was based in a home office. I was always working. Sunday mornings I'd get a cup of coffee, glance at the paper, and then go into my office. The next thing I knew it was 2:00 in the afternoon. By renting an office I've been able to enjoy my home."
Reward to self: "In the summer I take one afternoon a week off to play golf. I love to travel. In October we're flying to Venice and then taking a 12-day cruise."
Hopeful retirement age: "I have three kids, and since I want to pay for their college tuition I can't really think about retirement for at least 10 years. I don't see myself retiring in the traditional sense. I think I'd be bored if I didn't have some work to do. I would like the Internet aspect of my business to take off so I can work from the south of France six months a year."
— Francy Blackwood
