What job do you have which provides freedom to KB?

hiker1 · Since 01 Jul 2007 125 Posts Portland Stoked

Not counting your trust funders or retirees (ya earned it) - what career/job did ya swing which allows for kiteboarding freedom?

Oh, yea - there is the 'living simply' mode - outta your ol VW van eating top ramon X 3 daily, but I have kids.

I'm a wage slave 9.5 months. Scored a school job years ago so at least I have 2 months off every summer, but I'd love to create a way to make money and follow my wind addiction with greater ease. Wink

For those that dailed in your wind freedom with flexible career and/or self employment, you have my admiration - what do you do to bring in the $? Easy to get there?

p.s. Still check the wind even when stuck at my desk - don't we all?

scottnorby · Mon Sep 15, 08 10:52 am

Marketing.
I was a marketing rep for a corporation.
Now I am the marketing manager of 55 reps all over the NW for that same company.

But my marketing reps work as independent contractors and make $600 to $2000 a week consistently.

They work Fri Sat and Sun and have M,T,W,T off.
Sometimes they work longer hours if we have a trade show or event.
But it's a great job if you can talk to people and hustle.

No benefits bcs you are independently contracted.
But the freedom is unreal.

PM if you ever want to know more.

forrest · Mon Sep 15, 08 10:53 am

I started right out of high school working in technology. Skipped college. 1 year at a credit union and another as an IT consultant. Then I slaved away at a software start-up for five years that amounted to nothing but a bunch of wasted time. Then I was a con-slut-ant at Microsoft for 2 years which I hated every minute. Spent those two years looking for a remote job. Now I work for a large software company, from my house in Hood River and have a very flexible schedule.

Its going to take you probably around 3 years to accomplish this, but it's not impossible. Set your mind to it, and get to it.

pdxmonkeyboy · Mon Sep 15, 08 11:21 am

You only work 9.5 months out of the year now, don't get greedy.

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

Yeah agree with monkey school schedule is pretty awesome I think. Don't you get out at 3pm?

I can confirm public sector I.T. is good Thumb's Up

Just don't get into management. Mad

Also I'd suggest when looking for a job these days, more and more pay attention to benefits, you'd be amazed how much benefits really cost employers. Often times its as expensive for the employer as the the salary, which is why you will often see big salaries but without benefits.

Firemen have nice schedules and seem to get a lot of kiting in, and they have great benefits. Maybe Steve can weigh in on it. Very Happy

tinyE · Since 21 Jan 2006 2004 Posts not really an XTreme Poster

ask GMan... he's got it figured out!

trevorsmith · Since 25 Apr 2005 501 Posts PDX Addicted

Find a job where your boss kiteboards! Thumb's Up

hiker1 · Since 01 Jul 2007 125 Posts Portland Stoked

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

Yeah, good point, public schools don't exactly dish the cash out. Anyone work contract (or part time jobs) as an engineer? Seems like you could work a 6 month job during the winter months and take 6 months off and still probably come out on top salary wise. Only problem is that you have to keep looking for work once a year. Maybe once you get established this isn't too hard? Anyone go down this road?

vangondc · Mon Sep 15, 08 1:04 pm

I work nights in the medical field, that gives me every "day" off, but unfortunatly nights are on. Also, keep it simple, as most of lifes necesities are not realy important and you only think you need them.

Nic · Since 21 Jul 2008 109 Posts Bend, Oregon Stoked

I provide your county's EMS swing shift 3 days a week.... lets me get alot of free time in.

cosmodog · Since 06 Oct 2005 205 Posts Stoked

I write software on a contract basis.
Decent pay, no bennies, but I can work anytime and almost anywhere.
The problem is finding the work - I went a year without work and almost had to go back to the office grind. Also wrote a video game which brings in some income.

After 20 years, can you think of anything that schools would need that you could provide? A friend of mine retired from teaching and now does part time contract work for the school system writing grant proposals.

playacopal · Since 15 Sep 2008 30 Posts

how bout kite coach...moved the whole family to Costa Rica and started a school-nov-may in CR
was a school teacher for 15 years...

ecg · Since 25 Aug 2008 10 Posts PDX New Member

Hey, where is your school located? I have a few friends that used to live down by playa hermosa and have moved back, but have bought tracts down there in the hills over the last year. Was thinking of doing the same a little further south and was wondering how your business is doing. It would seem like you would need the extra toursim of a resort-y area over just being a kite specific area. Any input would be appreciated.
Oh and to get back on topic of the thread, I work too much as a project manager for a company that manufactures the gas induction systems used in the etch process of wafers. I like the chemistry part, hate the hours....

pdxmonkeyboy · Mon Sep 15, 08 2:12 pm

I guess if you can save enough cash you can quit your job when you want and go find another one. I work in the environmental consulting field and have a good amount of experience under my belt but it is still pretty tough to find a job in my field so just walking out the door (with the responsibilities that I have) would be a little careless.

I didn't mean my post to re-say what I already said but it seems to be going there anyways....You get off work by 4:00 everyday and you have the WHOLE SUMMER OFF!! I work all year around, get two and a half weeks of vacation and the "40 hour" work week, I wish. As a teacher you don't have to account for every minute of your time (consultants know what I'm talking about here), drive all over gods green earth for projects, and constantly look for and bring in more work.

Yeah,I probably make twice as much as you do, but then again, you get almost 400% more vacation (read kiting) time as I do........yeah, the grass is always greener on the other side of the 401k and I know your just searching for a good idea, but you should be stoked, you got it pretty fucking green.

holly · Since 09 Jul 2006 440 Posts Hood River Obsessed

justs dont work, or find out how many days you can have off, becaus if its olny 2 then i wouldnt work there. work three play for four! haha or just dont work!

blancoh2o · Since 15 Mar 2005 1154 Posts Oregon Phishy