Why do you run a business?

Hello All,

This is something I have wondered for a while. I see a lot of people running different businesses and obviously the majority of them probably make less than they would with a full time job. I guess for these people it is a case of doing something they enjoy and having a bit of freedom.

I've ran a couple of businesses but as I don't really have the capital and i'm a student i've found it hard to take them very far.

For me it is a case of building something that is successful rather than the cash - although that would be nice!!!

I'm in it strictly for the money, never had a 'job', being employed wouldn't pay enough.

Cause I'm to lazy to do anything else,plus I lack certain people skills like not being able to put up with Bullsh1t (unless its mine ):confused1:

Alvin

Why have a job when you can get paid for going fishing??? hehe

I absolutely love it. Money still matters. However, I am one of those fortunate people who would earn/earned very good salary in job market (it's all relative).

Doing a job for large company, I know I would do regular hours and would get paid very well from it. However, I just enjoy working in my small business, and have a very close, relationships with clients. Some of whom become friends over time.

It's very hard work, but the sense of satisfaction is the biggest thing. You create something with your stamp. :001_smile:

The freedom to pioneer, the satisfaction of looking around you and knowing it's all the fruit of your own labour, giving others employment, seeing something grow, sitting in a meeting at a large company and realising you've built a serious business others rely on, the list goes on.

Oh yeah, and the potential to make a few bob

d

I just want to have something that's mine. The idea of spending the majority of my life working for something that isn't mine just doesn't make sense to me.

Totally agree.

I have often wondered why I ended up running my own business and I am always looking for the plus side of being self employed as its sometimes a hell of a struggle.

The truth is though, when I was employed by other companies I always had spare time at my workpost which I enjoyed - but it was essentially wasted time. Being employed by yourself you never get this feeling of wasting your time as there is always something you can be doing to forward your income or company. Its an addiction for me really.

I hate working - but I hate being idle too. - Being self employed means you can never shut down - you can really immerse 'yourself' in work rather than being immersed 'by' your work.

Ta

Baz

Can totally relate. Seems the rumours about the work-life balance being hard when you run your own business are true. We all know that your business isn't just your work, it's part of who you are.

Work life balance is indeed hard to find.

I think its almost impossible to find the balance if you have to work everyday to get your income in order to survive in something your not at all passionate about.

But working for yourself does give you the option to challenge yourself whether you doing it for the love or money. If its both your onto a winner!!

Ta

Baz

Tim Cambell talks a lot about work-life integration on the smarta website.

I work for myself as it is the best job that can fit around having children. After nine years I would not want to go back to working for someone else.

Sorry about that. Won't do it again :wink:

I turned two businesses around because the owners couldn't be bothered - at the time it was to keep me in a job but that gave me the confidence to know I could do it for myself...

I am a very fast learner - I get bored extremely easily too. My CV is rather patchy because I've rarely stayed in a job longer than 2 years... I just get bored of what I'm doing and start looking around for more challenges. I also have a tendency to over organise the systems and do myself out of drudge work wherever possible.

My dad would say I'm self-employed because I am stubborn and contrary. There is an element of that in all entrepreneurs. I got frustrated at working for people who weren't as good as me and who didn't have the same amount of dedication to doing a good job.

Honestly, whilst being self-employed can be stressful and horrifically hectic at times, it's the best job I've ever had. I am constantly challenged by new things, I only work with people I enjoy working with and I get to choose when I want to work as long as I get stuff back in time.

Hey,

Some good responses there. My aim has always been to build to build a business to a size or stature that people know and I could be proud of. If the money comes with it then great!

I think running a business gets in your blood and once you have worked for yourself ,you never go back :001_smile:

Because operating business is my passion.