I’ve been fiercely independent all my life, which has naturally evolved into a full blown part time business I run outside of my normal 40 hour per week position as a Compliance officer. I have the best of both worlds; a salary with excellent benefits as well as my own business venture in my complete control. When talks and external news of lay-offs surface, I quietly pat myself on the back for taking my own financial future in my hands. I’m validated and fairly secure and it is such a liberating feeling! Most of my colleagues though are completely dependent on being an employee of someone and it frightens me. Yet, they don’t seem concerned. Why is this? Isn’t the spirit of the entreprenuer what built American a great nation? Aren’t we shown everyday examples of everyday folks that took the plunge and are successful and fulfilled. While my venture offers no guarantees, I wake up with passion and excitement. Why doesn’t everyone want that? Why do so many leave their fate to chance?
August 15, 2009 at 2:55 am
1. People are afraid of unpredictability
2. People are naturally drowned to what they know (familiarity)
3. The focus of education is to fill up corporate cubicles rather than train venturesome creative individuals
4. People do not actually know what you and I know- that business makes sense.
I agree with a lot of what you have to say about business but If every one start to do their own then we’d go out of business so. I have faith that others enjoy what they do for living even if it doesn’t make sense to me or it’s not the best way in my view. we are all different right..so.
August 15, 2009 at 5:19 am
hello – most people i know have some sort of “other” job to protect themselves, or even just for a tax write off. I have two business on the side, and while they give me great satisfaction, they are not yet enough to support me fully if i loose my job (although they would cover the basics). i am working towards getting them there, but it may take a little longer. whats your side business that is so good?
August 15, 2009 at 11:42 am
It’s because the drains on the entrpreneur are more than most people can handle. Money flies out the door for the first years. The hours are endless.
I opened my own business in 2001. I am profitable this year but just barely.
August 15, 2009 at 3:04 pm
Get over yourself. Seriously, why did you put your life story in this question? (Also, you don’t seem like the type of person to “quietly” pat yourself on the back…)
I have no idea why people aren’t more entrepreneurial. Perhaps it’s because so many businesses fail. Perhaps it has to do with those massive layoffs and struggling economy, which maybe indicates it is not the best time to start up a business. Perhaps not everyone wants to work 70 hour weeks. Perhaps it is very difficult to build a startup that can compete with established corporate ventures brimming with capital. Perhaps people don’t wake up with your passion or excitement. Or maybe people are just risk averse, or they aren’t all as “validated”, “fiercly” independent, or modest as you are.