It’s official. I’ve made the move out of corporate America to pursue a business of my own.
So as of today, I am back where I belong, in control of my own destiny. I have to say it feels good.
I love being an entrepreneur!
There is an amazing sense of empowerment when faced with the day-to-day management of our own future. It’s nothing short of total and complete awesomeness!
So why be an entrepreneur?
Believe it or not, you might already be one and not even know it. Whether you are an author, photographer, speaker or real estate professional, you are an entrepreneur.
But have you totally embraced your dream? If not, I encourage you to take a hard look at the benefits and weigh them against what you are “giving up” (contentment, happiness, time) to stay where you are today.
Maybe, just maybe, it is time to take the leap!
Why Being an Entrepreneur ROCKS
1. You Get to Follow Your Passion
Entrepreneurship presents you with the opportunity to do something you are passionate about. Are you a crafter, blogger or software developer? Turn that passion into profit!
Determine what makes your product, system or tool unique, research your competition, define your differentiating factors, and determine how you can turn that hobby into a lucrative business.
Confucius said…
“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”
So true!
2. Entrepreneurs Make the Impossible, Possible
Do names such as Steve Jobs and Bill Gates ring a bell to you? They are among the most successful entrepreneurs of our era.
While anyone would love to be in their shoes, the thought of starting and running a business can be scary, but there is a lot to gain. Think about what would be missing from our lives if it weren’t for their advances in technology. They truly made the seemingly impossible, possible.
As an entrepreneur, you have the same opportunity. Not only do you have the chance to contribute in a way no other before you thought possible, but you bring a fresh perspective with a new vision and appreciation for the passion you choose to follow.
3. Independence and Calling the Shots
Being an entrepreneur means long hours and hard work at the beginning. You are sowing what you wish to reap.
The good news? Commit to taking the required steps to make your business a success and life down the road will become much easier.
There is nothing like calling your own shots. Do the hard work up-front, so you can live life by your rules in the coming years.
4. Dream Big, Play BIG
When you close your eyes and dream, what do you see? As an entrepreneur, you control that dream. You have the ability to go as big and bold as you want to each and every day.
Every decision you make and action you take determines how close or far away you get to achieving your dreams. It’s up to you to find or create opportunities that will push your forward and enable you to turn your dreams into reality.
Of course the road to entrepreneurial success won’t be without its challenges. Believe in your dream, write it down and read it back to yourself every day. Staying focused on why you took this big step will add the fuel to your fire on the days you feel less than enthusiastic about your business.
5. Freedom to Choose
“Destiny is not a matter of chance; it is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.” ― William Jennings Bryan
As an entrepreneur, you have the freedom to choose which path you take. You choose who you will do business with and who you will align with. Do not sell yourself short.
Believing in who you are and the abilities you bring to the table has a miraculous effect on your state-of-mind and business health. Get clear on who you are and then make the choice to put those uniquely wonderful talents to work day in and day out.
6. High Income Potential
Ok, so maybe not immediately, but the opportunity is there.
As an entrepreneur, your income directly relates to the efforts you put into the business, especially when they are well-thought out, planned, and focused. The bottom line? The more effort you put into your business, the greater your rewards will be.
Unlike the job market where your salary is determined by so many factors, as entrepreneur, no one except yourself and market forces can define your income. Of course the market or your industry can be harder on you than your worst boss, but if you pay close attention you can make well-informed decisions accordingly.
7. The Excitement of Learning a New Thing Every day
As an entrepreneur, you will assume numerous roles, some more exciting than others.
You will wear multiple hats and juggle what feels like a ridiculous amount of responsibilities. Take a deep breath and realize that learning these roles and responsibilities is all a part of your entrepreneurial journey.
Look forward to these growth moments; they are truly life changing.
8. Design a Life You Love
Your life as an entrepreneur probably won’t be glamorous, but it will be yours. Meaning, you control the days and hours you choose to work.
You decide when to meet potential clients, work on projects, watch a soccer game, or spend time with family.
Running your own business offers more flexibility, but it does come with a price. In order to design the life you love, you must be focused, determined, brave and willing to take risks.
9. You Get to Be the Boss
This might be the single best reason for most when it comes to entrepreneurship. Who wouldn’t want to be his or her own boss? It just feels good!
It also requires a strong commitment to your goals and the steps you must take to achieve them. After all, you are the boss. No one is holding your feet to the fire.
Stay focused on your vision, your mission and the exact reason you became an entrepreneur. Be an agent of change. Be brave, be bold, and ROCK on!
Cindy Winn says
July 23, 2014 at 5:52 pmI loved your article. After being laid off a year ago, I decided to start my own business instead of jumping back into the corporate world with another company. So far, it’s been a tremendous amount of work, but work that i LOVE and look forward to every single day! Your article encouraged me to stay the course and know that the first days are hard for almost everyone. It’s a great life! Thank you for your inspiration!
Rebekah Radice says
July 27, 2014 at 11:35 amHow exciting Cindy! That is the myth isn’t it? That being an entrepreneur is easy. The truth is, it’s a lot of hard work, but so worth it when you get to do what you love!
Angie Fisher says
November 9, 2013 at 12:02 pmLove each and every one of these points. I truly love being an Entrepreneur and don’t plan to ever go back to anything else! I can relate to each of your points. It takes a special type of “animal” to be a business owner. I am that type of “animal”……HEAR ME ROAR!!! Thanks for the post Rebekah and congrats on the move!
Duane says
November 8, 2013 at 3:52 pmI’m sad. Only 9 reasons? Ha ha. What a great post!
Persistence, faith and friends will take you places. I wish the best of success and look forward to connecting further online. 🙂
Lynne says
November 7, 2013 at 2:05 pmCongratulations! It is truly great to be an entrepreneur and to control your destiny. We are able to do what is our passion and live life how we want it to be!
silviu says
November 7, 2013 at 4:03 amHi Rebekah,
Confucius says: “The sky is the limit.”
This is a warm and exciting post. It shows us how beautiful is that feeling you have when you become an entrepreneur and what benefits you have when you choose this path.
It gives you freedom, happiness, joy of life and the satisfaction that your life is important because you help other people.
Well, you are an experienced entrepreneur, a social media expert a beautiful woman and a warm and friendly human being.
Live this moment of happiness with all your heart and your soul. Then, if you want to keep it for the rest of your life, don’t forget that there are other people who struggle to find a way to fulfill their dreams.
Turn your heart and your soul to those who are not so happy as you are now and make them happy. The sky is the limit to what you can do. Do it and you will live forever. Eternal life and eternal happiness.
Have a wonderful day
Emily says
November 6, 2013 at 5:39 pmYes! So very true. Thank you for the great reminder; it’s so easy to get into the weeds of things and forget that the big picture of being an entrepreneur is pretty much amazing. 🙂
Erika Awakening says
November 5, 2013 at 6:57 pmHi Rebekah,
Congrats on breaking free. Being an entrepreneur is the best. It was super scary at first, now I cannot imagine going back to having a boss. I’ve learned to love freedom. Hope to see more of your posts in my Twitter feed 🙂
– Erika
Donna Merrill says
November 5, 2013 at 12:39 pmHi Rebekah!
Well, Congratulations are in order my friend! I’ve been an Entrepreneur for most of my life. Yes….I started 30 years ago and I grew into the internet about 3 years ago.
It was all about following my passion. I tried to work a job when I got out of school, but felt like a wild stallion being kept in a cage…Not for me..
Years ago with my off line business, I did have an “official office” I went to a few blocks from my home so I could be near my daughter as a single mom. But then the power of the internet came into my life.
Now I can live anywhere or go anywhere without skipping a beat if I so choose. I can sum it up with the quote you have given above: “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” My dad always told me that growing up.
Welcome to the free world,
-Donna
Rebekah Radice says
November 5, 2013 at 12:52 pmThank you Donna! You have been an exceptional role model on how to make a living doing what you love.
Similar to you, I ran an offline business for 15 years. In the last five years as I’ve transitioned everything online, I knew it was only a matter of time before I jumped back into entrepreneurship. Once the bug bites, there’s no turning your back on it! 🙂
Susan Velez says
November 5, 2013 at 5:07 amHi Rebebak,
Congrats first of all for taking that step and leaving Corporate America. That definitely takes guts, but I have no doubt that you will make your dreams come true.
I’m with you, being an entrepreneur is awesome and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I left my job awhile back as well. While I am still working on my dreams, I have no doubt that I will make it.
I applaud you and wish you the best of luck on your journey. Thanks for sharing and I hope you have a great day.
Rebekah Radice says
November 5, 2013 at 12:55 pmThank you Susan! It is an exciting step and a whole new journey for me.
You sound like someone who’s very ready to burst onto the scene with your own company as well. I can’t wait to hear and see it when it happens!
Ashley says
November 5, 2013 at 12:08 amHey Rebebak,
Congrats my friend!
I have been pursuing this path for over a year now, with first an online tool I made, and tried to promote. Then in the process, I discovered this world – blogging, and now my path has changed. I am certainly not living from this (yet) but I have the skill set three quarters developed and plans to make a living.
I am like you, I yearn for bigger things, controlling my own path, helping people along the way and not just answering to a faceless corporation where I find there is little reward and thanks.
It is so nice just to help people and see the changes each day!
All the best, and let me know if I can help you in any way. I am a web developer/programmer by trade :>
ashley
Rebekah Radice says
November 5, 2013 at 12:50 pmCongratulations to you Ashley! Knowing and following your passion isn’t easy for a lot of people. It’s a scary step that keeps many people shackled to that corporate desk.
It sounds like we have a lot in common with our desire to help others. It also sounds like we should chat. I have a lot of clients looking for services it sounds like you provide.
Jeevan Jacob John says
November 4, 2013 at 5:26 pmHey Rebekah,
Following my passion is my #1 reason.
Up until recently, I considered blogging as just a hobby (I wanted to start a business, eventually. But, I never thought of converting blogging as a business. Blogging was the first step – learning the industry, learning marketing online). Things are different now. I am planning to launch my third blog next year, and this time I plan to convert it into a business (What’s the purpose of waiting anyways? Now is the best time to start!).
Anyways, thank you for sharing this, Rebekah 😀 Appreciate it!