Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

It was a long time back when I already decided for myself that I want to be an Entrepreneur one day, having my own firm. When I was doing my computer engineering people around me always kept on saying to apply for jobs in big companies (MNCs). But, call me dumb or stubborn, I always told them "I will not join them. One day I will create a bigger company and will employee people there". That day hasn`t came yet.

In fact it`s been like couple of months I left my job and started my own firm. Yeah you heard it right -"Job". But, again it was not in any of those "Big" companies. I just chose to be a part of smaller firm and get an identity and work as per my rules. Although people tell me that I might have missed the conceptual development that I could have got in big company but I always believe in my beliefs as an entrepreneur. Yeah, I am not a fool and I have been digging into things that go in creating and running a big company. And, therefore, I know it is going to be a long long journey before I have one of my own.

I am 26 and I was running out of time. Being from an Indian family I am expected to be married around 28-29. And where I am right now? The answer is really scary. I left my job. I started my firm. But, I don`t have work. And as time passes my confidence about my own skills keep on diminishing at an accelerated pace. I am home, sitting & thinking what I need to do. An accident made me bed-ridden for a month. Now, I am fine. And, hence the question comes to my mind more often, every minute - What is going to be my next step?

I don`t know. All I can is to keep trying, keep learning and wait patiently. I don`t know how long it is going before I can stop waiting and start working and start building a company. Just wanted to share with my YE friends about this short story of mine.

Do let us know your side of the story .

Your story is a nice summary of, I think, what most enterpreneurs have gone through. Not the specifics, but the mental process.

I saw it when I went through the same argument: Either follow the conventional and traditional pathway, working for someone, or strike out on your own.

From as far back as the cave people, it`s always been the same. In America, back during the pioneer days, it was so common it became part of our history. A small group of people start a settlement, it grows, gets crowded and someone says, "I`m leaving. I`m starting my own community."

Throughout time, the others have said, "Oh you`re a fool. You`re missing the boat. Life here is comfortable, we`re just getting to where we can sleep at night. Don`t be silly, don`t be foolish, don`t take risks, don`t waste your time. Stay here with us!"

Ultimately it`s just that: "Don`t be different! That scares us. Be just like us, so you won`t be scary, weird, and......different."

At 26, here in the US, you`re very young. You`re not running out of time, but just starting your life as a grown adult. The only way you`re running out of time is when you face "the expected, common way of doing things." I do understand that in India, family is far more important than here in the States. And so there`s a lot more pressure on you. But...pressure is part of being an entrepreneur.

It always comes down to the choice between two forks in the road of life: Be creative, or follow directions. Go into the unknown, or choose a life of security and "the known."

What`s really interesting to me, is that in today`s world EVERYthing is the unknown! With the increasing collapse of business ethics, the increasing trend toward calling the costs of doing business the "same as" profits, nobody is "safe."

All those people who thought they had it made, living the traditional life, buying a house, getting married, raising kids, and working until age 65----so many of them are suddenly discovering that when you put your life in the hands of someone else, you  become a dependent.

That`s why we have so many people stopping by SuN, desperately looking for a way to start a business, but having no idea where to start. They`ve grown up as dependents, waiting for someone else to tell them what to do. And so they`ve never developed the *skill* of making decisions, using their imagination, and taking control of their own destiny.

On the other hand, because people who DO live for their own decisions have spent their whole life being told they`re wrong, missing the boat, stupid, or even insane, SuN has become a gathering place. It`s a meeting place for all those countless people who`ve, until now, had little or no validation.

It turns out they`re NOT alone.

 

My story is a bit similar than yours, however I`m married with 1 baby so unlike yourself I can`t afford to quit my day job yet.

Does your company is a product or services company ? o

Keep the spirit high, if needed do consider getting a regular job to pay the bill and continue to run your company on the side (in your spare time)

Don`t worry I`m 36, and i`m stuck in a cubicle for feeding my little family, but I`m not going to give up. I do not mind failing, but what frustrates me is that when I procrastinate and not try to put the best of my ability in building a successfull company.

Trying is what matter the most, I`m a firm believer that  if you keep on trying you will eventually succeed sooner or later

Keep the spirit up & don`t give up!

Remember to cheer me up when I will be having my low morale phase