Why you SHOULD be an Entrepreneur

By Taylah Hasaballah

Sujan Patel posted an article yesterday on ‘Why You Shouldn’t Be an Entrepreneur’. The article made a lot of claims, including the career choice being

• harder than it looks,
• prone to failure,
• draining,
• and often under appreciated.

Although these are all valid arguments, there are certainly some flaws in the logic.

These are apparent in any job

All occupations are harder than they look. There are tricks of the trade and that is why someone is PAYING you to do it. If working was easy, everyone would do it themselves. In terms of the career choice being undervalued, once again this needs to be put into perspective. As a teenager I waited tables for some extra money when I was studying. I memorized customer’s orders/names/relationships to each other, ingredient lists for specials (a new set of 5 each shift), dealt with complaints, kept 10 tables happy at any given time whilst not being allowed to confuse a thing and for what – minimum wage and absolutely no recognition. Entrepreneurs are at least given media attention (even if they are just a start up) as well as constant support from outside parties who dig what you’re doing.

‘It’s better to be a slave to your own system than someone else’s’

Most of us need to work. Most of us however, are working under someone else’s rules. They don’t get to take a break when they like, they have counting the hours they spend and their role is defined. An Entrepreneur is all aspects of their business which gives amazing flexibility and tends toward the most enjoyable working experience I have ever had. If you are sick of working on marketing, you can just do something else! What other job allows for that?

You’re getting more than just a paycheck 

Working 9-5, get your pay, go home, switch off. Whilst Entrepreneur’s do not get to switch off (often) I think it’s amazing to have something there to think about. Having your own business is an incredible experience. When else will you ever feel so connected to something, something that is your creation and gift to the world. Something that completely depends on you and for the most part is fair, what you give you will get back. Not only are you experiencing the joy of improving masses of people’s lives, you are constantly valued, appreciated and affirmed. Also, instead of a conventional job where your worth is determined by your pay, your value as an Entrepreneur is limitless, it just depends how greatly you want it.

I guess like all things the bliss comes and goes, there are definitely times when you feel like you want to throw in the towel and quit but if you love what you’re doing and work hard enough, the opportunities will arise and there will be no greater reward waiting for you once you’ve seen what you started through.