What is it, after taking the monumental decision to become a small business owner, that makes the decision and the subsequent roller coaster ride that is entrepreneurship, worth it?
Although much of my present business interests are in the consultancy and services environment, there was a day when manufacturing and High-tech rollouts were part of my every day functions.
A time of excessive highs and some dark lows.
But worth every minute.
What excites me now, and most certainly did then, about being a small business owner can be summed up in these paragraphs.
Family Time
Perhaps the most rewarding of all.
In my early days as an entrepreneur I, like many before me, started my businesses working from home.
This allowed me to be with my two children during their formative years and I was fortunate enough to witness, first-hand, how they developed into amazing little people.
As any working parent knows, there were days when I sincerely questioned my sanity in opting to work for myself.
Looking after young children, managing the home affairs and simultaneously trying to launch a small business, is no easy task.
I have heard so many parents bemoan the fact that their 8 to 5 existence has meant that many of those early and exciting life experiences that their children were exposed to, were missed. And unfortunately, in some cases, these bonding moments cannot be repeated or recovered.
This remains my most treasured gift from being a small business owner.
Related Article: What have I really learned from my many years as a small business owner?
Decision-making Freedom
One of the many things I struggled with in the corporate world was the structured manner in which the decision making process was managed.
There was nothing wrong with the processes, they are what they need to be in that environment, but it always appeared to me, at the levels at which I operated, the required decisions always seemed to take forever and on many occasions, I felt the best of an opportunity had been missed by apparent procrastination.
This is, of course, my own experiences, but it did leave a lasting impression on me.
Being the owner, and in the early stages the only employee, of my small businesses, I revelled in the ability to be able to stack up the pros and cons of the situation and make a binding decision.
Initially, there was probably as much indecision and procrastination in my processes as I had experienced in the corporate world, but as I gained confidence in my decisions, the processes speeded up.
And yes, there were some really bad decisions from time to time, but the difference was I had made them and therefore accepted the consequences.
Being in control of this vital element of business was always a decisive influence in my decision to go out on my own.
Creating my own space
Although I am as social as the next person, I enjoy my own company and have never felt lonely when alone.
I consider “me time”, whether it is reflecting on the business or just simply engaging “neutral” in order to break away from the incessant noise, an important ingredient in achieving success as a small business owner.
This is for me particularly relevant when under pressure.
Going for long walks or taking a long swim has always helped me to clarify my thinking and place problems in the correct perspective.
The luxury of being able to create your own space in the work environment is only possible when you control the way you plan and execute your average working day.
The ability to be flexible and sometimes even reckless
The biggest bur in my shorts during my corporate days was the necessity for procedures that, in my mind, created the routine which eventually translated into boredom.
Again, necessary, and for some company folks, absolutely acceptable.
Despite my initial entrepreneurial failures and the subsequently inherited fear of taking risks, I have found that probably the most exciting aspect of small business ownership is the life changing challenges.
Faced with the opportunity to expand, or to design and develop a new product or service, gauging the possible market place reaction and planning the “what if” scenarios when times are tough, always appeals to my sense of achievement.
And, as with most business ventures, some risk-taking proved to be detrimental and in one case, took me almost 3 years to recover.
But my risk management got better with age and experience – and the help of a good mentor.
In conclusion
No, it has definitely not been all wine and roses but the failures, setbacks and disappointments have, in their own way, contributed to the immense satisfaction of having attained my personal goals to a large degree.
And my family, from time to time, bore the brunt of my impetuous, and not so well planned, excursions.
Did I ever regret taking the plunge?
Most definitely on occasions, but when the smog had cleared and the turbulence subsided, my decisions at the time, to persevere, paid off.
Because of the support from the folks that matter, help from good mentors and a personal determination to succeed no matter what the obstacles, my entrepreneurial journey to date, has been most enjoyable.
Image courtesy of Flickr by Nguyen Hung Vu