Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Something that I`ve often wondered about with some people ... why did they decide to start a business?

Some business ideas are, well, odd, to say the least; while others are more conventional.

I think it would be interesting to "take the temperature" of the entrepreneurs in this forum to find out what drove you to start a business?  I`m hoping that there will be a drive to a deeper question on this, too. 

For me, I got the bug to start my own business about 15 years ago when I reached that dead end in my career.  I was bored with the work I was doing, didn`t have any ambition and quite frankly didn`t care about my job at all.  I saw the company owner living  a great life, and not giving back to the community.  One year at the annual holiday party, several of us heard the owner bitching about how much the party was costing him.  He had drank a little too much truth serum that night (Jack Daniels).  Me and the other people standing there were amazed at what he said.  I wanted to say, "Well sorry this is costing so much to say thank you to your employees for working so damn hard to make you a multi-millionare."

Today, the owner is in the top 400 on the Forbe`s richest people in America list.  No surprise he got there by laying off most of his US-based workforce and sent the work to China.  Congratulations.

So, with that bitter pill, I decided I wanted to get rich myself - my sole motivation was money, which would bring me freedom (so I thought).

Well, I`ve been in my business for 4 years, I`m making a little money, but I`ve come to realize that I am not in it to get rich.  I`ve worked with many clients and my true passion for running my business comes in the satisfaction I gain from helping business owners.  If I happen to get rich, or even comfortable at it, then that is great!  Of course, I DO set financial goals, but sometimes we can get so wrapped up in making money in our business that we lose sight of why we do it.  Why we endure long hours, stay on the phone much longer than we need to so we can get the order right or delivered on time ... you know what I`m getting at ...

In my humble opinion, getting into a business simply to get rich is selfish and arrogant.  Remember, that`s MY opinion.

I`m sure this has been asked and answered many times, but I want to hear your story ... why did you get involved in what you`re doing?  Was it to fulfill a higher purpose?  Was it to do something better than somebody else?  Was it to make your friends jealous? 

 

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Scott Watson.::.

Acme Data Online Backup Service     

Don`t Wait Until It Is Too Late To Recover Your Data

I got tired of the same kind of bosses you speak of - I want to believe there is more than money involved in my business.

I wanted to stay home with my baby.

I wanted to make my own rules and go in new directions.

I wanted to not work 80+ hours a week like I used to.

I was a SAHM with a fantastic life having a dinner party one night with several close friends when my husband lit my mouth on fire with all his freakin spicy hot food!  Since my "light bulb" moment at that party in April of 2006, I have been compelled to bring my "invention" to the world.  I wasn`t looking to start my own business.  I was perfectly happy and fulfilled being a mother to my 2 daughters, but here I am... I can`t turn it off, and I can`t stop.  Kinda crazy huh?  You`ve got to be a little nuts to be an entrepreneur anyway.  Count me in!

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Leslie
Founder and President
Charmed Life Products LLC
Grill Charms™… The MUST HAVE grilling accessory that is revolutionizing the American Cook-out AND The perfect gift for any occasion!
Grill Charms
                                                                                                    

I had an opposite boss experience.  My first job out of college (and my only job working for someone else) was an animator for Nickelodeon.  The creator of the show was the top banana, as far as who the artists answer to.  Network execs were a whole other world apart from the creative.  Anyways, the show creator was such a great guy to work for.  I couldn`t have had a better example of the kind of leadership that is to be admired.  Though in those years I did not dream of building a business, I was still inspired by his example.  To this day, I value that experience.

Eventually I left animation, moved to Colorado and became a self-employed artist.  By default, I was forced to learn about some basics of business.  Working for myself also unleashed an incredible amount of creative energy.  I began thinking up ideas, inventions, businesses.  A few have been my golden concepts, the ones so inspiring and real that they cannot be ignored.

Why am I starting these businesses?  It isn`t so much that I am escaping something else or chasing certain dreams.  Sure these personal aspirations are integrated with my business goals, but it feels more like a "calling" to me.  Not in a spiritual sense, rather more in a sense of self understanding.  What I am doing are things that just have to be done, period.  I can`t not build my businesses.

I like being "top dog".. I am a leader... I love grooming dogs and will be doing it till my hands dont work...Financially it was the best decision... Also  with my children I needed to have the flexibility..I can make my work schedule around them..


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"Animals are such agreeable friends - they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms."

I tried to find a job working for a band as an employee. Oddly enough, most bands don`t hire employees. The Big Bands of the 40s sometimes did, but even then it wasn`t so easy. I looked everywhere for an HR department and they just didn`t seem to have one.

So I was forced to become a self-employed musician. Over the years I`ve written letters to Congress, the President, and the Pope, complaining that there ought to be better regulation on the musician business. All to no avail.

It`s been tough, out there in the self-employed world, but with increasing regulation, better taxation policies, and tighter controls, it`s starting to get better.

:-D

For me it was freedom. The ability to choose where and when I work and what I do. I was bored with programming and at the same time saw the handwriting on the wall that there were people in other parts of the world who could and would do the work for less. My prediction proved to be true sooner than I imagined.

We regularly receive visits, calls and letters from people looking to work at our bakery. I hope to be able to hire some of them very soon.

I hope to be financially independent. Personally I feel the government and big business see people as sheep. They take as much as they can and leave only enough to keep them alive and working.



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I knew it wasn`t all about the money!!!

 

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Scott Watson.::.

Acme Data Online Backup Service     

Don`t Wait Until It Is Too Late To Recover Your Data

It almost never is about the money.  However... I would say money is one of the biggest drivers.  Even though one is not doing it for coin, I`d say there`s a universal understanding that it can be one of the more satisfactory rewards. 

And I don`t necessarily mean in quantity (not that any of us wouldn`t want lots-o-bills), but in the mere fact that one has earned it themselves, that they set the price and got paid on their terms.  That is how I think it is when it is more about the money.