I’ve been talking to many aspiring entrepreneurs lately. The question of Why usually comes up. Why do you want to become an entrepreneur? Why do you want to give up a steady, full-time job, to enter the uncertain world of business ownership?
From the responses I get, the answers seem to boil down to these three fundamental reasons:
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To Be Independent
You want to be your own boss, an employer, not an employee. You don’t want to work for The Man anymore. You want the flexibility to do what you want, when to do it, and how to do it.
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To Be Wealthy
You want to make a lot of money, to make millions. And you can’t do that with your 9-to-5. You’re aiming higher than financial security; you want financial comfort or financial wealth.
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To Be Idealistic
You want to change the world, to make a positive impact. You want to follow your dreams and do something you’re passionate about. You want to truly care about what you’re doing.
Each entrepreneur seems to be some combination of the three, in varying degrees.
Me, I’m mostly an idealist. I want to change the world, to fundamentally improve it. Being financially wealthy wouldn’t hurt either, especially since money is necessary for the kind of change I’m envisioning. Being my own boss isn’t as important, though it’s the ultimate test of my decision-making abilities.
How about you? Why do you want to become an entrepreneur?
I became an entrepreneur to be independent, but mostly for flexibility. I had just had a baby and ended up having another one a year later. That doesn’t mean, however, I wasn’t serious about my software business. I grew it to multi-millions in revenues while raising my kids. I find that a lot of people (traditionally women but more and more men!) enjoy the flexibility that comes with being the owner of the company. After all, you get to CHOOSE which 80 hours a week you work though I admit in the 10 years before we cashed out, rarely did I work over 40 hours in a week!
Whatever your reason, it is the toughest job you’ll ever love if you find something you’re passionate about!
Julie Lenzer Kirk
Author, “The ParentPreneur Edge: What Parenting Teaches About Building a Successful Business”
Ah, flexibility! That’s another great reason! And passion too; that’s another great reason. Thanks for sharing this, Julie!
Great tips and awesome storie Julie! :) I’d always had a knack for Entrepreneuring (god, we need a new name)… I’ve started 3 companies… One did very well… One died so the other could prosper… Lots of trimming, keeping an eye on growth, playing your life/work like a videogame… all very exciting stuff.
In the end we did it for the lulz.
In the end, it’s all about the lulz. :-)