WHY YOUR OWN BUSINESS COULD BE THE NEXT STEP IN YOUR CAREER
Many people dream of running their own business but lack the bravery needed to take the plunge and leave their 9-5 existence behind.
However, if you’ve got a good idea for a new company and think you can make a success of it, then starting up on your own could be the best decision you’ll ever make.
Being your own boss means you are answerable only to yourself, giving you the freedom to do things exactly how you want.
It also allows to work in a sector you feel passionate about, rather than be stuck in an industry that you have little interest in. Read on as we look at why launching your own business could be the next step in your career.
Mighty oaks from little acorns grow
If you have an idea for a business that you believe in, it makes perfect sense to take the initiative and start your own company.
A great example of this is the Swedish based game developer, Thunderkick, who has grown to such an extent that their products are now showcased heavily on this site detailing the best games around.
Launched by former NetEnt employee, Jan Lunde, back in 2012, the company has become one of the most respected names in game development.
Now employing over 35 people, Thunderkick has a massive turnover and links with some of the biggest brands in the online gaming industry.
Lunde’s vision to create unique games has set his company apart from many of its competitors and allowed him to create a mighty oak from the smallest of acorns.
Turn your passion into profit
Working for someone else helps to pay the bills, but ultimately your efforts are largely lining someone else’s pockets.
However, if you set up your own business you are in control of your own destiny and also any profits the company makes.
Business mentor and digital strategist, Gemma Went, says it is important to determine what you want to achieve by setting up your own firm and doing something you are passionate about.
“What’s my WHY for starting this business?” she said. “Is it purely financially driven, or do I want to create impact, or do I want to change the status quo, or something else?
“Getting clear on your WHY and aligning that with what you do every, single day, makes it so much easier to create something you love.
“And doing something you love is hugely important because running a business is tough and when the going gets tough, it’s hard to keep going when you don’t truly love it.”
It’s not as difficult as you think
Some people are fearful of leaving their 9-5 job to start their own business because they believe it is difficult to run a company.
While it is fair to say that running a business may be challenging at times, it is certainly not an impossible task and can ultimately be very rewarding.
There are many government schemes designed to help new businesses get off the ground and lots of help available from banks and other financial institutions.
In addition, there are a plethora of resources available on the internet that will help business owners resolve any difficulties they may encounter.
As Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty,” but if you’re prepared to tackle those factors head-on then running your own business would be a great career move.
Don’t wait too long
Life is much too short to sit around waiting for opportunities to fall into your lap, so if you’ve got a great business idea it makes sense to pursue it as soon as possible.
Some of the most successful entrepreneurs started their companies while they were relatively young and this is an ethos that businesswoman, Kari DePhillips, fully subscribes to.
“When I first had the idea and enough skills to start The Content Factory, I was 25,” she said. “I didn’t fully jump into it until 27, and those two years came at a huge opportunity cost.
“I’ve got a dozen employees now, and I can’t help wondering if my company could be twice as big, had I committed earlier.
“The fact is, starting a business is stressful, challenging, and demands a lot of time and headspace. It’s like having a baby – it’s almost never ‘the right time’ to do it. If you wait too long, the opportunity – and early/first-mover advantage – will slip away.”