Being an entrepreneur is time consuming (to say the least). It's far too easy to get caught up in the grind and forget what's most important: why you love what you do. So take a moment, put your work aside, and remember why you love being an entrepreneur.
Here are my top 10 reasons:
1. I take pride in knowing I’ve created something from scratch
There are many sacrifices you make when you are an entrepreneur. It certainly isn’t for everyone. But when you give everything you have and succeed, you are rewarded with a feeling of pride you could never get from being a cog in a big corporation.
2. It simplifies the decision making process
With no investors, board members or other stakeholders to report to, I have the flexibility to make decisions more quickly and start new initiatives on the fly.
3. I get all the glory and all the blame
If you believe in yourself, then it’s great to be fully accountable for the results you bring your clients. When everything rides on your shoulders, the fate of your business is squarely in your hands. On the other hand (of course), if you fail, the responsibility is yours and no one else’s.
4. I have the ability to pick and choose the people I work with
Being involved in every single hiring decision means that I can surround myself with talented people who share my drive, my vision and my core values.
5. I'm able to be selective about the clients with whom I choose to work
If you’re not working with clients you respect, it makes going to work an unpleasant experience. I love to work with entrepreneurs and business owners who are as passionate about their companies as I am about mine. When you work for someone else, you are often stuck working closely with clients you can’t stand.
6. I develop long-term relationships with clients
Because doing business online requires regular updates to your website and online marketing, we tend to retain our clients on an on-going basis. It essentially makes us partners with our clients, helping them to grow their businesses over a number of years.
7. I am in complete control of my calendar
This gives you the opportunity to manage your time and your time off. Entrepreneurs find it hard to give themselves a break, but it is important to have some kind of break when you have so much responsibility.
8. I have the freedom of not working for someone else
Before I created Blue Fountain Media, I worked for some truly awful bosses. The good thing is that by working with bad managers I learned a great deal about what a good manager should do.
9. I'm involved in teaching and mentoring
As an entrepreneur, especially early on, you have to hire fairly inexperienced people (because they are less expensive) and give them on-the-job training. I am proud to say that a number of people who started out as interns with me have gone on to take leadership positions in the company.
10. I have job security
As the boss, I’m pretty sure I won’t get fired! On a serious note, I am much harder on myself than any boss would be. When you are responsible for the lives of so many people, it drives you to be your best. When I’m not working, I almost feel guilty!
Why do YOU love being an entrepreneur?
OPEN Cardmember Gabriel Shaoolian is the founder and CEO of Blue Fountain Media, a results-driven Web design and online marketing company based in Manhattan.