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August 22, 2007

Today’s Question of the Day: If you are an Entrepreneur, How did YOU become one?

If you are or ever have been an Entrepreneur, what event in your life pushed you to go out on your own? What is YOUR story? Is this something that “just happened?” Or was this planned? Would you recommend the Entrepreneur lifestyle to others?

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Posted by jeff on August 22, 2007 08:12 AM | Permalink

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Comments

Posted by: شات سعودي at May 19, 2009 03:39 PM

Well, I have a whole series of posts about that at http://aplawrence.com/foo-self-employed/ but the main issues were:

Problems with authority: I do NOT like doing things someone else's way, unless I agree with them. It's particularly hard when it's obvious they are wrong. If I have to work for an idiot, I might as well work for myself.

Money: Nobody ever paid me what I'm worth (even though at most jobs I left they had to hire two or three people to replace me!)


Freedom: I don't mean freedom to take vacations when you want or to work the schedule that you like, although those certainly are benefits. What I mean is freedom to control your own destiny.

Posted by: Tony Lawrence at August 27, 2007 04:21 PM

Throughout my life I've always looked at problems and loved the challenge of solving them. I've always liked to think about the simplest (and most effective) way to get things done, and I've applied that throughout the various aspects of my life. In the first year of college, I talked to my older brother a lot about starting a web development company, but I held back because I didn't think I knew enough about web development and running a business. I finally came to the conclusion twelve years later that I need to be an entrepreneur, to solve problems, and make greater things happen. I was in at a point in my life where I could afford to take the risks, and I'll never look back. My only wish is that I would have went for it twelve years ago.

Thanks for asking the question, it's a great one.

Posted by: Jeff Judge at August 23, 2007 02:16 PM

To be honest I think it all started in Grade School where I noticed I had a problem with authority. For me, having a problem with authority starting when I was 11 combined with being ADHD never really allowed me to work for anyone else. Hence if I wanted to make money I needed to go out and do it myself. From the time I was 11 I would shovel snow in the winter and I was the guy with the candy locker in high-school while selling baseball cards at tradeshows on the weekends.

I am curious if other Entrepreneurs out there have similar traits.

1. Do you have ADD/ADHD?
2. Do you have a problem with Authority?
3. Where you the shovel the snow for money guy when you were younger?

Posted by: Richard Kligman at August 23, 2007 05:38 AM

i was born this way. there is no other option.

Posted by: bad ohad at August 23, 2007 01:19 AM

Where I was employed, the corporation telephone "on hold" commentary was made by the CEO. He explained to captive telephone audiences how he started his huge corporation from a little office over a store.

...I was actually hired by that CEO himself. He said that I reminded him of himself.

He was right. I have my own company and my own office now.


Posted by: Adnohryak at August 22, 2007 08:27 PM

Very simple... I've been an independent musician since 1999. I worked very hard to put myself in a position where I could launch myself as a business- paid off all my credit debt, moved to an industry town, developed contacts.

Of course, I didn't make the leap until my day job quit ME. I got laid off and, thanks to a 2-month severance package, I was able to get the business rolling before I was totally on my own.

It wouldn't have happened, though, if I hadn't positioned myself in a low-debt, ready-to-roll situation beforehand. Otherwise, I'd be making lattés right now.

Pax,
Matthew

Posted by: Matthew Ebel at August 22, 2007 06:37 PM

Last November I was at an Anthony Robbins seminar in a room full of people who thought they were entrepreneurs. Robbins' `test' was to ask them - if you had all the money in the world, would you still do what you do? And would you risk it all for a project or endevor?" He then explained that most entrepreneurs lose money (not surprisingly), and that without joining forces with people with great management/leadership skills their enterprises often fail.

Before that day, I thought I had `entrepreneurial tendencies' and that sudden enforced single-motherdom, with 3 small mouths to feed was what had driven me to start my own internet business. By the time I left that seminar, I realised that I had been an `entrepreneur' all my life - buy a boat, do it up, sell it. Same with houses. Get a horse, make it better, sell it. It's not the money, it's the need to create and improve and then just keep on doing it.

I have always been self employed, but being a good independent `technician' as Michael Gerber says, is not the same as running a business. Some people think that starting businesses makes you an entrepreneur. I believe that anyone can start a business - but sticking at it and making it work no matter what is what makes you an entrepreneur. Not money or even success is the main driving force - just being really really stubborn.

Posted by: suzy miller at August 22, 2007 05:30 PM

Hello Jeff,

If ever there was a moment when I wish I could Link into the Video comment I created in facebook.

I have always been the guy who looked for ways to make an opportunity generate some money and some fun.

When I was made redundant from a senior role within a software company I figured it was time to stop making money for people who werent going to give me credit or cash or consideration.

I have been "Out there" working for myself for the last 8 years and its been the only time in my life when I have felt the least stress and the least amount of harrasment.

Its not for everyone though as I found out to my detriment. Some tend to become quite possessive or protectionist over their own security and as a result put themselves and their security before others.

Confidence and a rock solid feeling of assurance that you are capable are the priority. Secondly good enough is good enough. If you spend your time planning headed note paper and researching where to advertise , before you have even got your first client then your going to flounder. Finally treat every conversation as an opportunity to listen for how you help but dont sell yourself directly.

Thanks for asking though, now a question for you Jeff, what, if I can be so bold, prompted you to ask this particular question?

Posted by: Nicholas Butler at August 22, 2007 02:07 PM

Like others, being an entrepreneur goes back as long as I can remember. However, when I look back it wasn't precisely about making money, instead, I was always an organizer of friends to "do" something. I did a number of 'zines when I was a teenager -- largely just full of art and writing my friends were passionate about. I helped start a conference that is still running today in my old hometown.

Even today, I find my entrepreneurial leanings to be more about capturing and enabling the passions of my colleagues more then just about income.

Posted by: Christopher Allen at August 22, 2007 01:01 PM

>what event in your life pushed you to go out on your own?

I have always been "entreprenurial". In 1997, my late twenties, I saw the true potential of the Internet after doing a website for a WV House of Delegate's member during a special college project.

The site was successful, garnering a lot of attention (I got their attention- I knew that was important, but had no idea what to do.) but it was enough that I had to explore. I left my nursing job, dropped out of school and begin plying the trade and struggling for three years to make ends meet. It was not until finding the right mentors, perservering, doing a lot of writing, and a bit of luck that it began to come together and finally "success"- depending on how you define it. Once I followed my passions, money was a natural byproduct.

> Would you recommend the Entrepreneur lifestyle to others?

There have been real cons too. Long hours, a lot of sacrifice, almost ruining my health and heavy stress. Then again I have felt challenged, met so many interesting people, traveled to so many neat places and realized many of my wants and the ability to provide for others that in the end I think it was a good choice for me.

However, if you aren't willing to really sacrifice, and that means your family too, I think a person would be miserable with the choice. It can be feast or famine, and sometimes the famine never seems to end...but the feeling of bringing one's ideas into reality out of the ether and having them materialize is extremely satisfying.

I am fortunate that I enjoy most of my work, and after telecommuting for ten years it would be hard to "go back to an office". I would recommend it to anyone who feels they can better control their destiny with the caveat to keep one's life balanced and all things in perspective.

regards,
wayne porter
http://www.wayneporter.com

Posted by: Wayne Porter at August 22, 2007 12:02 PM

I'm not so convinced that entrepreneurship is learned or planned.

Sure, you can learn the skills required to start and run a small business. This is about replacing a traditional revenue stream from a "wage slave" job. However, to me, being an entrepreneur is about creating something of value from an idea or innovation. The risks may be calculated, but by its nature is relatively large...all undertaken in the chase of the big returns (monetary or otherwise).

The skills required to take these risks creatively in order to achieve relatively quick and large gains are complex and not something that can be learned in a linear manner. It is about the synthesis of experience and iterative learning that makes entrepreneurship possible.

To top it off, there must be an underlying raison d'etre to to the enterprise. There must be a fire burning that fuels the desire to work on the chosen projects and the ability to ignore naysayers.

For me, it was a pretty natural progression. I started very young and loved the game and the opportunity to turn ideas into something concrete and meaningful. Over time, I learned some street smarts and some book smarts to support my endevours. But mostly, I've been lucky that the people around me are supportive and I have had opportunity to live my passion.

Would I recommend the lifestyle? If you LOVE the game and have a burning desire, you really have no choice, do you? The lifestyle has benefits in flexibility of time, ability to choose projects, and select people you wish to work with etc. BUT there are a LOT of downsides and if one's not careful, can take a serious toll on your family, physical and mental health, relationships, etc.

Entrepreneurship or not...you have to love what you do!

Posted by: Daniel Ho at August 22, 2007 12:00 PM

Well, I am officially on my way to becoming an entrepreneur and what is really driving it is my desire to be able to choose the people that I work with.

Posted by: Lance Weatherby at August 22, 2007 10:56 AM

I've always had fire in my belly for leveraging my media skills and creating opportunity. I'm at the top of my game as a network news cameraman, yet I took a highly coveted staff job with my current employer with some resignation. It seemed like the "responsible" thing to do.

The internet as a publishing platform and the attendant shift in attention and revenue has created unique and exciting opportunies for me. The current atrophy in traditional media merely buoys my strategy, and makes my decision to strike out on my own far easier, if not urgent.

Perhaps this is telling: In my entire time as a staff cameraman at NBC News, I've never had business cards printed. I have printed business cards for Verge New Media, Inc. though!

Posted by: Jim Long at August 22, 2007 10:29 AM

Well, I am an entrepreneur now, like it or not. It would seem just a huge missed op. if I didn't become an entrepreneur -- at this point in my life. And I know myself well enough, at this stage of the game, to know that if I didn't try to strike out on my own, I'd regret it so badly (and resentfully) later on in life.

A lot of it comes from seeing and witnessing, over and over again, this HUGE glaring gap between "traditional" media and new/social media -- especially here in the SE/Atlanta's significant corporate community. And feeling like I've got this good, strong boat that can help ferry people back and forth -- instead of seeing 'em all just standing there on opposite banks starting at each other. Or sending smoke signals at best.

But it's scary. Very scary sometimes, because I've historically worked for Fortune 100, heck Fortune 50 companies, and had all the bennies and perks and cushions such enormous companies DO provide. Now I've got a kid to support and bills to be paid, and I'm the sole source to make that happen. But fortunately, but only now, after many many years of hard work, I've also got a thoroughly professional track record/history... and a good credit line. I would never have had the mindset, or the support for that matter, to have been a YOUNG entrepreneur. How about a middle-aged one instead!

Posted by: Grayson at August 22, 2007 10:17 AM

Similar to Donna above, it was a personal life-changing event: the birth of my son. I walked away from a very successful marketing career to spend time with him because I had waited for him for so long ;-}. But employer came after me eight months later, we worked out a deal for part-time work and, ta-dah, my company was launched! It's been great since I grow and work on projects for said company and others as I find them. The *planning* has been *not* taking on too much (learn to follow your gut and say *no thank you*) so I can continue to do *good work* for current clients. I would recommend it to those who are self-motivated and love to reach out to others: you absolutely need both.

Peace today!

-Barbara

Posted by: BarbaraKB at August 22, 2007 10:15 AM

I am not sure you become an entrepreneur so much as it is in you. From the time I was 11 years old I have been working on one thing or another to bolster my income, my value or experience. Whether it be hatching and starting ideas within a company or on my own in the evenings and weekends the spirit has always been with me. Even today while I am extremely focused on my company I have a thousand and one ideas on what could come next.

It is not the lifestyle for the feint of heart. I have made and spent my life savings a few times and the last startup saw me going deep in the hole to get things going (while I had a wife and kids to boot). I would recommend it but with too many caveats to list here (there are so many reasons why so few companies make it)

Posted by: Jesse Chenard at August 22, 2007 10:14 AM

Tired of the large corp. rat race, saw an opportunity, bought an early franchise. Was well-trained by franchisor. Did well, sold it after 10 years. Back in the corp. rat race. Lesson - each has its own benefits. Neither road is the easy one.

Posted by: theRQ at August 22, 2007 10:08 AM

Wow - what a great question. Here goes:

My dad was a contractor, fixing old houses and repairing homes damaged by fire. He and his truck - that was the company. His flexibility with work gave us a lot of time together growing up. I wanted to have that same flexibility with my kids, to pick them up from school every once in a while or take off the week of their spring break. So I too started working for myself.

Today I work from home too, but just leased an office in town. I'm actually looking to hire after years of running all-freelancer projects. I want to grow my own company, but always with an eye on that quality of life being an entrepreneur gives you.

Would I recommend it to others? It depends. You have a lot of flexibility, but the roller coaster of changing revenue month-to-month can be stressful. You do put in long hours. If you're sitting in Starbucks at 10 am one morning, it's because you REALLY need the coffee! But as our economy shifts to a knowledge economy, and the Internet gives us increased ability to leverage our collective knowledge, becoming an entrepreneur becomes even more possible for everyone. It's worth a shot. You'll never know if you can do it until you get out there and try.

Posted by: Allen Fuller :: Flat Creek at August 22, 2007 10:08 AM

Jeff, I don't refer to myself as an entrepreneur, but I HAVE been self employed since 1985. The kick-start for me was the death of my mom. All of a sudden, mortality slapped me in the face and I realized I could not continue day after day in my then-career. So I quit my nice safe job, went to journalism school and embarked on my communications business. This was the best decision I've ever made. Looking back, I'd say the most important thing is to listen to your heart. What is it telling you?

Posted by: Donna Papacosta at August 22, 2007 10:06 AM

>what event in your life pushed you to go out on your own?

Not sure - it's the way i am (single parent, not particularly well-off background maybe?). I created a wrestling mag when i was 5, a (small) gardening business when i was 8 and I had the biggest paper round in the WORLD (*) when i was 13. Created a web business in 1992/93 when i started Uni. I just couldn't do any of the day jobs i have been in thus far - people come in at 9 and leave at 5... life can be more exciting than that!!!

(*) This may be fictional, but my friends always said it.

>What is YOUR story?
A long one. Let's say i have been trying for some time and learning with each failed attempt. It's hard! Especially when your not in the US and everyone attends network meets and shares ideas weekly!

Basically, whenever i see something (tech or not) i invariably start thinking of how it could be used in other contexts or places. I think Joi Ito posted on this some time back. I dunno what makes you like that - possibly the idea of not being like that and letting things pass you by :)

>Would you recommend the Entrepreneur lifestyle to others?

Better than that. I am making sure my son knows how do do stuff on his own and he is 4 (although he can choose to do what he wants). I think a big part of becomming an entrepreneur is knowing when something opens up - and you are best qualified to do that if you "know your stuff". This isn't about education - it's about getting in early and hacking stuff. The books about Steve Wozniak was incredible to me.

Oh, working with a small team on an idea right now. Alpha coming soon :)

Posted by: Steven Livingstone at August 22, 2007 10:05 AM

I felt the pressure to become an entrepreneur building up in me over many years until, finally, it burst and I had to do it or I wouldn't be able to live with myself. I wanted to make a difference in the world, not just sit behind a desk and be a small cog in someone else's wheel. I wanted to see if my ideas were really as good as I thought they were. To see if I could really create value, change things, impact people's lives by building something. I wanted my kids to have a father who was constantly taking calculated risks, making sacrifices for a worthwhile cause, creating something from nothing, not just another wage slave. I wanted to look in the mirror each morning and feel like I was living life to the fullest.

A business magazine in Australia actually recently did a story on how I became an entrepreneur which goes into some detail about my motivations:
http://www.anthillonline.com//article_detail.php?id=344

Would I recommend it? Only to people who have the burn to make a difference in the world. If you really believe in what you are doing, it's all a great adventure.

Posted by: Cameron Reilly at August 22, 2007 10:03 AM

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