My husband is an employee of a large software company. His mind works like an entrepreneur, always coming up with innovative ideas, opportunities and loves to learn about small business and growth. He works like a business owner, usually 60-80 hours a week but doesn’t reap the benefits of business ownership. Occasional raises and other benefits but that’s it. He is at risk.
So why doesn’t he take the leap? I asked him that, he said that he thinks two business owners in the family would be risky. How is owning a business more risky than being an employee? Your company can let you go at any time. “Fire at will” they say. But when you own your own business, you are in control, you control the outcome. Your idea, your vision, your determination, your hard labor. The risk is that you will fail. But the only way you will succeed is by doing.
What are the benefits of owning a business? 1. You are your own boss. No one tells you what to do! 2. Freedom, your have the freedom to dream and make that dream come true. 3. Make more money by not being limited with a paycheck. 4. Create your own goals and make them happen. Owning a business can provide you the outlet to support the passions you have.
Did you know approximately 543,000 new businesses get started each month (but more employer businesses shut down than start up each month). Small businesses have generated over 65% of the net new jobs since 1995. There are almost 28 million small businesses in the US and over 22 million are self employed with no additional payroll or employees (these are called nonemployers). 19.4 million nonemployer businesses are sole proprietorships, 1.6 million are partnerships and 1.4 million are corporations.
So why not take the risk?
Sources:
United States Census Bureau: Statistics about Business Size (including Small Business) http://www.census.gov/econ/smallbus.html
United States Census Bureau: Statistics of U.S. Businesses:http://www.census.gov/econ/susb/