What is your reason WHY?

Just a quick congrats to Dien on the continuation of a great board. I've been around on and off ever since the genesis of Sowpub, although I doubt many except perhaps Dien would remember the few posts I've made.

To fire up everyone's thought process a little more: For all the budding entrepreneurs, what are your reasons WHY you've chosen this path in life? What is it that has changed your thinking from a "job" mentality into a "business/investment" mentality?

For myself, I've only ever had one single job in my life, and that was back at the end of my year 10 studies. I've operated six seperate businesses in the six years since then, two while still in high school (the same school as Dien's brother, Thomas) and another one that became a million dollar company in a year, which Dien and Thomas both did some work on behalf of.

Currently, I'm at the head of two companies, both briskly growing, and one will be growing this year from our current six employees to over one hundred. To get here has taken three years of almost constant 16+ hour days, and a personal income that has been so low that at times I've had to rely on social security to survive.

I know that if I hadn't kept my eyes always focused on my reasons WHY I was constantly working towards my goals, I would have quit only 5% down the track. Those reasons, for me, have been my absolute loathing at having a boss, and my dream of running a company to produce computer games (among many other things).

What are your reasons WHY, and what circuimstances have they driven you to overcome?

I met Randy when I was in Grade 6. Randy was much larger and two year older then I was. He promptly "pounded my face in." and much to my disappointment when I went to the Junior High in Grade 7, there was Randy, who reminded me with another thrashing, about how well he enjoyed my company. I was an easy mark -- he was sadistic, and he loved to beat up boys smaller then he was. I was his favorite.

See... but life is like that. If you're an easy mark you get beat up. And life isn't fair.

As we got older this just continued. 'Cept more and more I was getting a few good licks in here and there. Sure, I still got beat up, but I made sure he hurt a little bit too.

The last two times we fought we were in our twenty's. We were on opposing mens basketball teams. I started both fights, both times. I broke his nose the last time, but he still managed to beat me up pretty good. It seems plain and simple enough -- he just got tired of having to beat me up -- especially so after I really started asking for it. So he just mostly started leaving me alone.

Four years after telling my wife I was going to buy a computer and learn how to make money with it, found me working for the man 6 days a week 12 hours a day. Then I would come home and put between another 4-6 hours on the computer. My primary family disowned me, my wife kicked me out and filed for divorce, and bankruptcy was closing in quickly. You'd think at least my boss would appreciate me, but it wasn't true. I was the "shop steward" and a constant pain in managements side. They couldn't wait to find some kind of dirt to get rid of me.

But the three reasons I bought that computer was that 1)although I liked working, I resented having someone else in control of my life. And b) nobody was paying me what I was worth and C) I wanted to give my family everything they wanted.

So when it was "life" that was "kicking the crap out of me" -- just like I did with Randy I took it as it came and asked for more. The two biggest things in my favor was that I wasn't overly intelligent -- and certainly not smart enough to realize I was beaten and b) I was stubborn. No... I mean I am damned stubborn.

(he-he)

Well... that was four years ago. I quit my job, saved the house, and rescued my marriage. My wife who was against the whole business idea from the very start now helps me manage the business and offers her FULL support for a second business I am starting right now.

Looking back at it now, I think, "I must have been crazy..."

Would I do it again? In a heartbeat. I already know the outcome.

Sure -- I understand it has been a LOT easier for many people. The picture I painted sure looks dismal when you get used to reading headlines like "How to make Thousands a Day in your Underwear at your Kitchen Table." Or like a piece of spam I received today offering to increase my business by a whopping 500% in the next 90 days.

The point is -- life isn't fair. It may be easy for some, and it might not be easy for others. Some of you may try and make it, others will try and fail. Failing and quitting are not the same thing. I failed, many times -- until the powers that be just finally got tired of kicking the crap out of me. Now they mostly leave me alone.

Best Regards,
Steve MacLellan




homebusiness-websites.com

Sorry in advance for the long rambling response, but this post hit one of my hot buttons.

And to you, Christopher, Thank You for the thought provoking post.

After serving 23+ years in the full-time employment of the Air National Guard, I realized that I didn't belong anymore. I had lost all respect for the "System" and those who played it. I could no longer accept orders from superiors without feeling a deep, burning resentment at a system that placed more emphasis on political maneuvering than effective job performance. I requested an early out.

It was at this point that my 3rd (yes, third) wife decided she wished to go it alone, and I began thinking, "What's Wrong With Me?". Unable to figure it out on my own, I began seeing a "mental health professional". After about 6 months and untold thousands of dollars, the diagnosis was in, Attention Deficit Disorder. "But, I'm 40 years old, that's a children's condition." Guess again. I began reading everything about A.D.D. I could get my hands on. What a revelation! "This is me and it's why I'm so screwed up!" I finally understood what made me do some of the things I did, and sometimes still do. But I digress, more on this later.

After being discharged 3 1/2 years short of an active duty pension, I found myself with no income and no marketable skills. Some of you know that many military career fields have no compatible civilian counterpart. I began working as an independent contractor for a regional courier company. Shortly thereafter, I found myself in the same situation, no respect for the company "employees" who controlled my ability to earn a living.

Making an attempt to look at the situation objectively, I realized the problem wasn't the system (company), it was me.

I Will Never Be Happy As Long As I Allow My Life And Livelihood To Be Controlled By Anyone Else.

Some people are able to survive, even thrive in the corporate, company mentality, not me.

Which brings us to the problem of focus. The health profession terms the condition A.D.D., or A.D.H.D, I prefer C.P.A. (Can't Pay Attention). While I have a burning desire to be free from outside interference (supervisors), the inability to focus has prevented me from severing the lifeline of employment, though from a legal standpoint, I am self-employed. I shall, however, never give up the dream.

My hat is off to all of you who are truly independent and have total control over your lives. My dream is to someday join you in the ranks of entrepreneurship (though probably not as a copywrighter). :)

In closing, to get an idea of what I did in my previous (military) life, follow the link below.

Best wishes,

Kenneth Knight




Just Another Day At The Office

Hi Chris,

Thanks, interesting topic!

In my case, I would say the real reason I'm in business is for independence.... I've never liked having a boss, telling me what to do. I've always thrived best when I could choose my own direction.... I like to make my own destiny! :)

I think the complexity of business is because there are a LOT of things you have to become competent at, if you're going to succeed running a small business. (In a large business, you can hire the talent you need, but in a small business you often don't have that luxury....)

Some of the skills you need are some sales & marketing skills, some accounting skills, some negotiation skills can help, some product acquisition (or product development) skills, some customer service skills.... And I'm sure there are more! When I look back over the last few years, I can see that my success has increased the more I have developed these skills!

But on the other hand, business is very "simple" too.... I think most business is summed up by "buy low, sell high". That's how you make a profit. If you think of it that way, it's not too complicated at all. The key is to do it ethically, in a way that gives your customers value for their money.... :)

- Dien Rice