I have been doing this basically since the day I became a member, like 15 days .....

And have been reading this site RELIGIOUSLY. First of all, big thank you to everyone who, simply put, gives a **** about helping others. I have been scouring Craigslist for FREE pick ups only. I have no money to spent right now and if I can turn a buck or two AND LEARN SOMETHING I am super happy.
Anyways, I'll cut to the chase... I had to go up to Waterville to help my sister out with some stuff and saw an ad on Craigslist for a bunch of random Computer stuff... for free. I figured, what the hell.....
Well, I scored, at least I think, pretty good. I haven't even looked inside the boxes of random parts they threw in my truck!!! I'll post pictures as soon as I get home and after I off load and sort. Basically I told the dudes if it fits in the truck, I'll take it. And boy, they loaded.
At quick glance in the mountain in the bed of my truck.... about 20 monitors, 20 PCs. In the back seat, 6 flat screen monitors, a hand full of keyboards, and four large banker boxes of "parts". I glanced in them as they were going in the truck and I KNOW I saw assorted RAM, MOBOs, and other PCI cards. Not to mention the arm fulls of power cords and other cords.

Like I said, I'm new to this, I have always been fascinated with the idea of it, and now that I lost my job I have time to focus on it. I have to pay the bills somehow while I'm looking for another job. then I hope to keep this going part time, until I can build up enough base and enough connections (networking) to maybe make this more than a hobby. I have no one else to be excited with because everyone thinks I'm crazy. but I figured you guys might be excited with me! thank you again for everything. I promise I will post pictures as soon as I can!

Nice free score on the computers/monitors/accessories. I'm going on Friday for my first pickup on computers. I hope it's at least 20. My batteries are charged..just need some screws to loosen now.

You remind me of (me) when you say you have nobody to be excited with as everyone thinks your crazy.! None of my mates can understand my passion, but luckily they are still keen to donate My own sister even told me how boring I was when I was explaining my big scrap metal plan to her

Ivy,

I totally get the fascination ...got it bad myself. The thing is that we've only got 90 days before the weather starts to turn again. Right now the living is easy but that's gonna change. The glory days of summer will be over in the blink of an eye. You've got to put this aside and focus on getting a steady job. You're gonna need that weekly paycheck or you won't be able to survive here as a newbie.

Please trust me on this. I've been through the mill. Maine is a nice place to visit but you don't want to live here. It's as harsh and unforgiving as it is beautiful.

I want to come up with an epic name for my business. I have an MBA.... I know it is all about branding!! While I wait for these pictures to upload and whatever.... anyone have any ideas?
I live on the Beach.... I think that's important to have in it. Is Beach Recycling too generic?

Sorry .... i forgot. That was a nice score !

You've got a good location. The Portland/Westbrook area is about as good as it gets here. If there were any place where you could get enough volume of e-waste to keep you going ... that would be it.

I would say keep it simple with the business name. If it says your name & the type of work you're doing then you can run it as an unregistered DBA. If it said something classy like Old Orchard Resource Recovery then you would have to register it with the state and things start getting complicated.

If i can offer another word of advise ? I've been out on my own for over fifteen years now with nothing to fall back on but myself. If you're self employed you really are on your own. Nobody is going to help you if it doesn't work out.

Set some goals for yourself. The cost of living here is higher than in other parts of the country. Figure that you need to be making 150.00$ a day to pay your living expenses. Doesn't matter if you're out on your own -or- if you're working a regular job. You're going to need that much just to get by. If it's seasonal work (9 mos out of the year ) figure that you're going to need to be making 240.00 $ a day while things are good. That way you can put up enough to carry you through the winter months when things are lean.

Might sound like a lot to some, but my best guess is that these are bare bones minimums to get by with.

how about "The Scrappin' Maniac"? Just kidding...I'm sure you will think of something. I have fond memories of my childhood living on a lake in Casco and college in Gorham. Cant wait to take the family back there to show them my old stomping grounds.

As you probably already know...look up EVERYTHING on eBay. I pulled 4 cards out of a few computers I got the other day and sold for $375 each. You never know...

Personally, I think Beach Recycling is not epic enough for you. Keep thinking as you're breaking these things down. Something truly epic will come to you.

Being self employed is a lifestyle choice. I worked in my field for 20 years, had a gravy job at the end making good money but I wasn't happy. Have since worked several $10 an hour jobs trying to find what makes me happy. In the end, I choose to be self employed and try to keep it diverse. Do more than one thing and you should be alright.

Reduce your expenses, stay far away from debt, and only spend money to make money (unless it's a necessity ... hate those **** bills). Good job and keep at it.
Being as we're both new, we can push each other along

Thank you all for the words of wisdom. Scrappah... where are you located at? You sound like you are in the area.
I completely agree Beach Recycling is NOT epic enough. Let's keep brainstorming!
As for keeping it diverse... I just launched my art site if you guys want to check it out....https://m.facebook.com/incidentallyArt I have a few pieces I am working on that is primarily from recycled stuff. I cannot wait until those are finished!! One of them is on there.
That, and I am still looking for another job... it's just a matter of finding something that makes me .... happy I guess?

On a side note.... who do I need to chat with to get a sweet veteran's tag?