Most people when presented with a friend or family member’s desire to become an entrepreneur have a reaction like “What if you can’t put a roof over your head?” or “Get a job, learn some skills, then maybe go freelance once you save up some cash.”
Entrepreneur:
It’s a truism that being an entrepreneur is a risk. It’s an unquantifiable risk. It’s obvious and front-loaded. If you’re still in business in a few years, though, the risk decreases. It’ll almost be as though you know what you’re doing.
Here’s something that no one mentions: being an employee is a risk too. A small one, at first: getting a job can be a challenge these days, but what do you stand to lose? Paper, ink, time spent searching job posts and applying? It’s only as you grow a career that the risk becomes clear. The risk of losing your job as you get higher up the “ladder of success” climbs exponentially. Once you get to the hallowed VP level, you become one of endangered species: according to Kyle de Haas, a fellow Tech Rancher, the average tenure for a VP and above is 2.7 years.
Employee:
So how would you know if being an entrepreneur is the right path?
There really is no way to tell until you’re in the middle of it. To test the waters, ask yourself a few questions:
- Am I adaptable? Am I willing to wear as many hats as it will take?
- What’s my definition of success?
- Do I see a need and am I willing to fill it?
Don’t worry if you don’t have “the right idea” yet. There are many resources to help you figure it out. You may end up doing something entirely new or getting into a franchise.
Decide which risk curve you’re more comfortable with and come join us at the next Campfire.
…or even better start your venture!