Who Should be an Entrepreneur?
To be completely honest...almost no one should be a true entrepreneur. In fact, over the past few weeks I have said time and time again that 99.9% of people should never be entrepreneurs.
Why? Being a true entrepreneur (i.e.: neither an old family business nor a franchise) is time demanding, cash draining and can be extremely stressful and anxiety producing.
The worst person to attempt being an entrepreneur is the one who has been at a job for years and has viewed being 'self employed' as some type of nirvana and ultimate goal. They maybe have a family and responsibilities outside of caring for themselves. They save up a few hundred thousand dollars and set out on their own. This is the LAST person that should even set out on their own unless they have very strong entrepreneur mentors (i.e.: been there, done that).
I have personally witnessed friends and colleagues completely crash and burn in their search for this perceived nirvana. It produced extreme financial hardship, heartache and personal life implosion.
Want to be an entrepreneur? Ask yourself these questions:
Am I prepared to give up literally everything I own on this planet including the ability to financially care for myself (and family)? Am I prepared to start from scratch 2 years from now if everything goes down the drain? Can I truly work 7 days a week 12+ hours a day and still maintain my sanity (and will my family disown me)?
Think hard and long about this nirvana because it can quickly turn in to hell.
Dorian
Comments
Dorian:
This is SO true.
Basil
Posted by: Basil Peters | June 14, 2006 7:03 AM
It has been interesting to chat with people who have read this original post and wholeheartedly agree.
Posted by: Dorian Banks | August 4, 2006 12:24 PM
Do people really choose to be entrepreneurs? I wonder. Why would anyone WANT to be an entrepreneur?It seems more like a calling. I can't imagine why anyone would voluntarily put themselves through hell!
Posted by: Colleen Nystedt | June 19, 2007 2:04 PM