Last week I did an entrepreneurial poll on FaceBook for you guys (particularly the aspiring entrepreneurs of the club) The question asked was, “What was the ‘thing’ that made you finally take the leap to business ownership?”
I decided to do this poll because I had gotten a couple of website inquiries and phone calls about taking the first step in business. Well, this is an ask-away-don’t-feel-dumb-or-insecure-club that was founded so that dreamers realize that entrepreneurship is not rocket science . So since I don’t pretend to know all the answers (in fact I’ve created a business out of searching high and low to get answers for people) I reached out to some entrepreneurs and friends.
Their answers were just what I expected. They didn’t have a moment when money fell from the sky, and everyone started chanting their name, and their family and friends pulled out the red carpet. No! Instead, they just went for it. Something sparked a change within them and they were ready to create a different life for themselves.
Here were their answers:
Elijah Young, owner of Young University , started his first business after thinking to himself that he did not want to become “another stereotype.”
Charity Martin-Via, owner of Urban Spirit Cafe , faced tragic life experiences–the deaths of her step-dad and bestfriend, and the loss of her job. Her start-up moment came after the realization of just how fragile life can be.
Ken Carr, owner of GreenSpace Design & Landscape, disliked the way he was compensated. He went into entrepreneurship with the mindset, “I can do this with a little luck and hard work.”
Cordell Dillon, owner of Salon Bella, realized that his efforts were going into materialistic items. He started his first business because he got tired of hearing his boss brag about vacations and luxury cars.
Kendall Isaac, owner of The Isaac Firm, was given a choice between his morals and his job. When he was constantly cautioned by his boss to do things the wrong way, he made the moral choice. He then worked on his “exit strategy” and became an entrepreneur.
Jeffrey Friend, owner of Forward Media Group, grew tired of office politics. He started his business because he figured that he could handle stress on his own if he had some way to reap the benefits.
Mark Baker, owner of TURFMASTER, was tired of someone else driving the “Mark Baker Bus” where they wanted to drive it. He started his own business because he didn’t want to continue feeling ”held back.” ( I must admit, Mark’s “reason” and mine are very similar, I remember feeling like I was being “held in a corner.”)
Jennifer McGee-Adams, owner of J. Adams Photography, wanted security. She was laid off from her job during her fourth month of pregnancy, and with a new mortgage. Her thought when starting her own business was, “I would never lay myself off.”
Mike Nicholson, owner of MDN Graphics, realized that he was not the “working for someone” type. He started his own business because he realized that he needed a flexible schedule.
My answer: I realized that my talents were being ”hidden,” and I was not being rewarded for the efforts I gave. I wanted to live my passion and not get “held back” and I was stubborn enough to defy my ”odds” and challenge the naysayers who tried to discourage me.
Entrepreneurship is not easy but it’s not impossible. And it’s not for the faint at heart. No one will hold your hand through this process. No one will RSVP to your pity party. No one wants to hear excuses.
The fact is, most entrepreneurs were not handed “silver platters.” They had courage, persistence, and tenacity. One can make all the excuses in the world but in the end, you’re the only one in the way of you. Decide when to make the leap, adjust your goals and habits, and just do it.
Cheryl is a Start-up Business Planner & Consultant, and the owner of Isaac Business Services. She is the author of the upcoming book, A Different Business; 7 Easy Steps to Starting & Planning a Business Around Your Purpose.
