Entrepreneurs were traditionally viewed as people with the drive and ambition to succeed. They were seen as people who were inspired by an idea for their business and would pursue this path rigorously and were not afraid to take the risks necessary to succeed. Classic examples of successful entrepreneurs include Donald Trump, Bill Gates, Richard Branson, etc. These characteristics of entrepreneurs have not changed, but there are other considerations when deciding whether you want or should become an entrepreneur.
The first is job security. Since the collapse of Lehman Brothers last September, the world has witnessed a global recession that has hit economies around the world, caused widespread unemployment, business closures, foreclosures, huge investment losses and the share price and massive deficits in pension funds. The bottom line is that for the foreseeable future no job is secure.
The second reason is that you become your own boss. You choose who you sell to, who you buy from, who you work with (in the case of network marketing, how you build your team). You decide how much you work and how much you spend on promotion, marketing and advertising.
The third is your opportunity for greater financial success. Entrepreneurs have been shown to increase their personal fortunes through the development of their businesses. Company employees rarely get rich unless they have stock options, golden parachutes, or lucrative bonus programs. This is generally restricted to the highest levels of large corporations and may be restricted to certain industry groups such as banks or financial services companies. When you work for someone else, you are contributing to their financial future all the time and to your own financial future as long as they decide.
The fourth reason is the opportunity to have control over your life and work. It’s not just the ability to say what hours you’ll work, it involves every step in running a business. You have the opportunity to spend more time with your family, friends, develop interests and hobbies, go on vacation when it suits you, avoid the dreaded commute, and still be able to pay your bills, mortgage, etc. When you are the boss, all decisions ultimately come back to the boss (you) and his motivations and this determines how successful the business will be.
The fifth is a great sense of personal satisfaction. Business entrepreneurs have great opportunities to be contributors in their community. Membership in chambers of commerce, business awards, community boards and other corporate boards of directors serve their personal esteem and are motivating factors for entrepreneurs.
With the growing dominance of the Internet as a marketing vehicle, there has never been a better time to consider becoming an entrepreneur and I would recommend an online marketing business as the most productive and successful next step for anyone considering becoming an entrepreneur.