Thanks, Dien, for your kind words. There are few experiences in life more rewarding than inspiring another individual, and I am humbled that my experiences had such an effect on you!

You make many great points in your post below, but what stood out the most to me was your differentiation of having a job vs. being a business owner. I think that in many ways jobs are synonymous with limitation and lack of total freedom and control, while owning a business lends itself to so many aspects of personal development and embarking on an unforgettable journey, while at the same time, having no ceiling on what can be accomplished.

I want to make it clear that in NO WAY do I think business owners are "better" or "more worthy" people than employees in any way, shape or form. I have the highest regard for those who have a job and carry it out with precision and dedication. It's just not for me.

And you make another very astute point by reminding us all that at our roots, or perhaps even our primal level, almost all of us are entrepreneurs at heart!

Thanks again, Dien. Would love to exchange more stories with anyone as to how business has changed their lives. Julie, naturally, is a wonderful personification of this, and I think young Sam is going to have a very rewarding childhood!

All the best,

-Jesse

> Hi Jesse!

> Jesse, I know what you mean.... I actually
> used to have a similar kind of
> misperception, once upon a time, many moons
> ago....

> But, then I realized, if you go back a few
> hundred years, EVERYONE was in business in
> some way. The farmer was in business,
> growing crops or livestock. The shoemaker
> was in business, making or mending shoes.
> The butcher, the baker, the candlestick
> maker, all in business. Almost everyone was
> in business....

> I think our modern ways, where most people
> are in employed work, might date from the
> Industrial Revolution.... That is, in the
> history of humanity, it's a pretty recent
> thing.

> So, going into business, being
> self-sufficient, is like going back to our
> human roots.... :)

> At least that's how I like to look at it!

> Yes, it's true, money causes great emotional
> reactions in people. I think it was Robert
> Kiyosaki who said that money can be like an
> ADDICTION! Some people really are addicted
> to money -- which isn't a good thing,
> because it clouds your judgement....

> It's taken me a while, but to me now money
> is basically numbers on my balance sheet.
> Because of this, I'm able to make
> money-decisions without my emotions coming
> into it very much.... It's become a game,
> where the goal is to increase the numbers
> every week.... I'm not sure if this is how
> others approach it, but it seems to work for
> me, at least when it comes to making
> decisions.... (Sometimes, carrying those
> decisions through takes a bit more work. :)
> )

> Thanks Jesse! You're an inspiration to me, I
> believe business is probably the only path
> to true freedom that we have....

> I'm not against people having jobs, as it
> suits some people well, but for some people
> it's like shackles chaining you in place. A
> nice thing about going into business is that
> you survive on your own merits -- it's not
> some boss who decides (sometimes
> arbitrarily) whether you're going to be
> promoted or get canned.... I like the idea
> that my own destiny is in my own hands....

> Yes Jesse, what you're saying really strikes
> a chord with me!

> That's one of the coolest things about
> it.... :)

> Wow, thanks Jesse! Thank you for sharing
> your feelings about business....

> In my case, I was feeling stifled in a job,
> even in academia, where there's more freedom
> than in most traditional jobs. I tend to be
> quite independent-minded, and I really
> didn't like the idea of having my future
> decided on the whims of one or two other
> people.... I savored the opportunity to
> create my own destiny. I believed in myself
> and believed that I could do it....

> I'm still making the dream happen, but I've
> already gone a long way. Life isn't bad, and
> I'm enjoying every minute of it! Sometimes
> it's hard work, but there is nothing that
> can replace the situation of being your own
> boss, and guiding YOUR OWN future.... :)

> Thanks again Jesse, I found your post very
> inspirational! :)

> - Dien Rice