Unpopular Opinion: Not Everyone Should Become a Full-time Business Owner
Unpopular opinion… Not everyone should become a full-time business owner or entrepreneur
Now before you get it twisted, I’m not saying this because I don’t think everyone is cut out for it. Not at all!🙅🏼♀️ I’m saying there’s a lot more that should go into that decision than just hating your 9 to 5.
Every year around this time, there’s a big push by a well-known life/business coach and his cohort for living your “best life” and a lot of the conversation is about starting a business. Which, I’m a business owner and 100% support others doing the same to chase their dreams! Here’s the thing though. Being an entrepreneur has been hyper glamorized in the media and by business/life coaches when in fact it’s not always the best fit for everyone.
You’re sold on the idea of finally having freedom from your corporate job, having unlimited earning potential, being your own boss, working whatever hours you want, and making money while you’re sleeping. You’ve seen the pitches! The part you’re not always seeing though is there’s a tradeoff.
As an entrepreneur, some days you’ll be working 9 to 9 (and weekends), have inconsistent paychecks, and it can add more hoops to jump through to secure financing for big purchases like a house or car. When you say goodbye to that corporate job you’ll also likely be saying goodbye to those corporate health benefits, matching 401k contributions and PTO.
Again, this isn’t about crapping on being an entrepreneur…. it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made and there are certainly solutions for some of the tradeoffs. Instead, this is more of a reality check. A reality check that it is NOT the right decision for everyone and that is okay! We ALL have different visions for our lives and that should ultimately be the deciding factor for the path you decide to take.
For some that may mean never starting a business! A totally okay way to live your best life.
For some that may mean you start a side-hustle that stays a side-hustle. A totally okay way to live your best life.
For some that may mean starting a side-hustle with the hopes of making it your full-time hustle. A totally okay way to live your best life.
And for some that may mean quitting their job and jumping head-first into being a full-time entrepreneur from day one. Also, a totally okay way to live your best life.
The point is, there isn’t one way to live your “dream life” and have your “dream career”. As a business owner this messaging is probably more amplified in the circles I’m a part of on social media. I just hate that it can make people feel like they are less than. Like they need to be doing more in their careers, their lives, or in their businesses to meet the marketing pitches being thrown at them.
I’ve always strived to give a really transparent look at my journey as a business owner both here and on my personal blog, so this is something I wanted to speak up about! Especially because I know a bunch of people who have been in a career transition with all of the changes we’ve been throw over the last year+.
So in closing, here is my advice to you… Stay true to your journey, your goals, and make decisions because YOU want to make them and not just because someone else says it’s what you should want.💖
Originally published here.
Anna Osgoodby
Founder of Going Bold Studio, Anna Osgoodby is an award-winning designer and social media marketing expert. With over a decade of experience, she specializes in helping small businesses with their social media, branding and Squarespace website design.
