Why Do You Own Your Own Business?
As a small business owner, I am often asked this question by friends and family. And as a consultant for small business owners, I ask them the same question.
Why Do You Own Your Own Business?
The answers are as varied as the personalities of the different owners. There is no one reason which applies to all of us. But I am always curious, what drives people to start a business.
In this month’s issue of Inc Magazine, there were responses from a number of successful CEO’s to this very question.
Steve Slovick, Price Perspective said: “No one to challenge my bar bill on the monthly expense report.”
I don’t know Steve, but I like him. While my bar bill isn’t all that large, I do like the fact that I am answerable to myself for my expenses – well me and the IRS.
Jeremy Wing, Payscape Advisors said: “To be responsible for my own success or failure, and to make several employees and friends’ millionaires”
Jeremy has the right idea, ultimately business owners own their success or failure. Sometimes it would be nice to let someone else be in charge, but it isn’t in our nature.
And Buck Robinson, Robinson Radio said, “Because I am the world’s worst employee”
This was one I couldn’t relate to. I was a good employee, but I am a better owner.
What about you? Why did you start your small business?
I started my business because of a few reasons. First, most of the people who do IT just don’t get it – and that’s not a pun. Most IT Service Providers either understand the business justification of a tool, or understand how the tool works, but very few actually take the time to do both. This leads people to buy more tools then they need, and typically still leave them using the wrong tool anyway.
Secondly, I really wanted to have more control over the work I did and the way I did it
Alex, I really understand. Most marketing firms do not operate the way we do. They are not going to change, and neither am I! – Also, I really like being in charge
I wanted to get out of my work what I put into it. When I was working for a big company, I got paid the same no matter how much I worked or how creative I was. And often the harder I worked, the more I was hassled for making other people look bad. I guess it wasn’t even all about the money. It was about knowing that no matter what I did, I was just a number to someone up the food chain from me. If they told me to fire employees, I had to fire them. If they told me to hire, I had to hire. There wasn’t much logic to any of it because they were too far removed from the day to day operations. Now I’m smack dab in the middle of all of it (for better or worse…and some days are worse!!).
Tricia,
Some days are worse, but hopefully most days are better. And I wouldn’t trade being on top of the food chain. …