I don’t know what it is inside of me, but it’s been there since college. It’s a tugging force that has always had me interested in working for myself someday and being the “boss.” It all started during college when I ran a small furniture moving company with a good friend of mine.
We did it all. Everything from advertising to the actual labor and renting U-HAUL trucks, we were out on a mission to please our clients. We would plaster Craigslist with our ads and were hungry to make more and more money. At the end of the day, our goal was to pay for college. Unlike most students, I was on my own and all my tuition was up to me.
Working at a restaurant or grocery store was never going to cut it when tuition was fast approaching $8,000 per year. I had to “go at it alone” and blaze my own trail! Well, guess what, it worked. I made so much money that not only did I graduate college debt free, but I was able to buy a car that I had always wanted.
That fire and drive has never left me. I guess it’s considered the entrepreneur trait. Ever since the furniture moving company, I have always sought out ways I could be the boss. Although day jobs are great, they have never fully satisfied my need to be at the top of the ladder NOW.
The World Has Evolved
I think that part of this drive is due to the fact that the world has changed when it comes to career dynamics. Long gone are the days where you graduated college, got the corporate job, and retired 40 years later. With the most recent economic depression and things not looking up, Americans (including myself) are no longer solely relying on a single source of income. With the time it takes to nurture a career for an employer, it’s no wonder people around the globe are turning into “mini-entrepreneurs.”
Complete Ownership Changes Everything
Another aspect of starting a side business is that you have complete ownership over its success. When you work for someone, you are typically part of a group of people, so the fire to destroy your competition or be better than everyone else simply isn’t there. I know there are many cases where the opposite is true, but for the most part, Americans are happy with satisfactory career paths where things plateau.
Part of the American Spirit
The United States is unlike any country in the world in that there are limitless opportunities to showcase your best ideas and get paid for it. I strongly believe that this type of entrepreneurial spirit inside of me comes from the principles of this great country. If you look at the history of this great country, the great things in this world didn’t get done by people sitting around. They were achieved by “doers” and big picture entrepreneurs that wanted to change their country for the better.
Doing What No One Else is doing
I’ll be honest, there is a certain allure to doing something that no one else is doing. You would not believe the faces I get when I tell them that I blog and get paid for it. Doing something outside of your day job still seems to be unheard of. I’ve never been one to simply “follow the herd” and will never be. I enjoy doing things that no one else is doing. This is probably why I would never make it in the military. I’m not sure I could handle being told to wear the same exact clothes as everyone else!
I’m Just Getting Started
This blog is just one extension of my self-motivated aspirations. Just recently, I acquired a big name Christian finance blog and will be looking forward to purchasing additional websites in the near future. I’m trying to think like a millionaire in 2014! Along similar lines, I can see myself getting into real estate and buying up properties along the west coast. Am I an entrepreneur? Yes, and proud of it!
Link Location: In content of page, last paragraph
Here’s to pouring gasoline on the entrepreneurial fire!
Photo: On The Way, SD.
No it isn’t! On many counts one of which is that I need variety to trive. Apart from my blog (which was such a complete change for me; I am a combination between a technology nut and a luddite) I am a member of an entrepreneurial women’s network in the UK. It is entire self organising and emerged around a site we all read for sometime. I love looking at people’s businesses and identifying the problems and opportunities. I also do consultancy in my area.
Right on Maria! I’m soooo thankful I found about the monetization possibilities with blogging. Imagine the potential income 20 years from now!
Wow Jon, I think you and I might be the same person. I’ve always had the drive to do more than the average person. I am currently expanding my online ventures. And, my dream is to get into real estate someday! Good luck to you in evertying you do. I’ll most likely be right there with ya!
I second that Jon! Nice work – you are well on your way to working on your own. Keep at it!
You know, you might be right Derek. Once I get into real estate we will be the same person haha.
Nah, the day job definitely isn’t ‘it’ which is why I’ve also been blogging and such!
Welcome to the club. I blog during my lunch and people always wonder what I’m doing…
Congratulatons on your success and your growing empire. My day job provides me with more than enough money I need, but not the spiritual fulfillment. Blogging is one of the first things I’ve found outside of work to get me excited. It is great that we even have the opportunity to succeed by sharing our stories.
I love how you call it an emapire. I talk about my “empire” at work and people give me funny faces.
Jon I feel you will be very successful in all that you do. I can tell by the way you write. Success is judged by happiness and happy you seem. You are already there. Congrats.
Welll thank you, I can say the same thing about you brotha!
I’d have to say that I don’t think the day job satisfies me at all. How do I know? I guess it’s the fact that I get most of my ideas for the blog and other ventures while I’m here!
The control issue is really big for me, as so many clients need a wake-up call rather than hand-holding, but the bosses are too afraid to do anything. I would much rather have the power to remove some of the clients I work with who ignore all warnings and advice yet still cry that their businesses are dying. Oh, and seeing what they charge for tax returns & monthly work compared to how little I get paid–I charge a fraction of it through my own company and keep all of it but don’t have the client base yet. Unfortunately I can’t tell their clients (ie: steal them) due to a non-compete clause I had to sign.
Hahaha, it’s so true Eric. Just don’t tell anyone that’s what you’re thinking about all day!
I love this line, “…the great things in this world didn’t get done by people sitting around.” That’s for darn sure! Thinking outside the box is definitely a way to get ahead and blaze your own trail and I think in this economy, it might just be the only way. Good luck to you on your continued journey!
I’m all about blazing my own trail, it sure is exciting. To be honest, doing things that no one else is doing is extremely addicting.
My day job of caring for 3.5 kids keeps me quite busy. Sometimes just to keep up on blogging is a reach for me. Thus, I am not pursuing anything else at this time.
Hey, that’s so respectable though! My Momma stayed home and worked her butt off raising us. It’s the hardest job in the world.
I think blogging provides a great opportunity to stay at home parents because they can have the hours that they would like and still make some income. Ofcourse blogging is still a ton of work, but you catch my drift.
The title sums up the past few years of my life. I have been very bored with my job, and strive for more. I am the type of person that moves at a fast pace and wants to make things happen now, but that cannot always happen. I am in my last semester of school to obtain my bachelors in finance, work full time as a banker, and want more. I know that through hard work, I will succeed. I also know that patience can be important. This site helps me get through the days, and even better it teaches me something new every time I visit. Good luck with your endeavors, I know we all can reach our dreams.
Paul, you’re spot on. Keep at it, have patiene and never let up. It’s a recipe for success my friend.
Great post. I try to live a multi dimensional life and this includes things I do for money. I like my job but it isn’t my be all and end all. I like blogging to but again it isn’t everything. I would like to keep expanding my horizons and trying new things. Basically see where the wind takes me.
Miss T you hit the nail on the head. Not only is it about balance but it’s also about doing multiple things you love!
My day job isnt enough – but for now it pays the bills which is fine by me. I keep working for myself on the side to increase income and do something that is more enjoyable, but i’m where Miss T is – I like my job, but it’s not everything, and I like blogging fine too, but it’s not everything. What I’ve found is that I wont be satisfied until I’m running the show, which is just something I need to practice for.
Man, I feel your pain. Unless I’m the big boss, which i’ve been for most of my jobs, I get very little satisfaction. Here’s to entrepraneurship in 2012!
good stuff Jon. looking forward to your progress updates. use the dissatisfaction during the day to fuel the fire in the evenings :)
FYI – your link to the millionaire article points right back to this one. might want to check it.
Thanks for the heads up. I added the line and fixed it.
Nice write up Jon. You’ve got business in your blood now! No where to go but forward :)
My blood is boiling with ideas!
Impressive, that you paid for college while having money left over. Great stuff, and it says a lot about you. Best of luck with your entrepreneurial efforts, keep us posted.
Thanks! The credit goes back to the Lord for providing me with very unique opportunities to avoid debt during school.
I enjoy hearing of others successes…congrats on all your achievments!
Hi Jon, With this type of attitude, your future success is assured. I’m happy to be your blogging colleague.
Day Job? I quit one of those in 2002 and haven’t looked back. Jobs get boring. Safe, but boring. I prefer to do my own thing.
Honestly, I love my day job! It took me 10 years to get here (plus significant student loan debt), but I find my work really varied, challenging, and interesting. To me, that’s a great combination and it allows me to have a lot of flexibility and self-direction. I’m now working toward financial independence, and I’m using my blog as a way to stay accountable as we pay off debt, save for a house, and raise a family.
I really appreciate your energy and enthusiasm for entrepreneurship! It takes a certain kind of person to make that happen. :)
I agree with other commenters who said your day job may provide money, but it often doesn’t provide complete fulfillment. I know that was the certainly the case in my old job. I felt intellectually stimulated quite often as a software developer, but that was about the extent of it. I always thought I’d have a job that helped people grow and learn and my job didn’t have anything to do with any of that. With the birth of my son I feel like my sense of self is completely renewed. I’m thinking of staying home with him for awhile and the mere thought of it makes me smile. When I do return to work I would like to find a career that makes an impact in people’s lives. I can work for someone else or work for myself, but I definitely don’t want to become a cubicle dweller all over again.
Good luck to you on all of your future endeavors!
Man, you have such a similar story to me – I love just working for myself, and that is why I’ve started my side incomes! I find it very rewarding!
Awesome article Jon! I completely agree with you, no fun in going with the herd, it’s more exciting to do what makes you happy. Typically, if you aren’t afraid of hardwork (which you definitely aren’t), it’s amazing where it will take you. I’ve always thrive on life-long learning and simply don’t understand people that are happy plateauing.
Great attitude Jon, it will take you far! The day job is rewarding but I’m working towards early retirement if you know what I mean!
I wen through this when I was considerably younger (in my 30s)! I turned an investment in rental properties into a business and branched out from there. I am in semi-retirement teaching for the next 5 years. I enjoy teaching and developing my next career.
Great article! Love your enthusiasm – keep that fire burning. I’m a SAHM too and love the opportunities that blogging brings.
Love your enthusiasm and your drive. I too have more ideas than I have time to implement them. I wish I didn’t have to sleep I could get more done.
This post reminds me of a Tom Peters piece. He talks about this being the age of the free agent. It isn’t about having a job, it’s about molding your life around your wishes. Great stuff, dude.
Congrats on your achievement, it is definitely not enough that’s why I added blogging to the mix
I think that what drives us entrepreneurs is really in our DNA. We can’t avoid it. I’m a serial entrepreneur and I know that I will be for my entire life. My BF thinks that I’m crazy that I always have these ideas and have no problem being passionate about one thing then being as equally passionate about another. You can’t help it!
It’s good to have a more stable partner no? We can rely on their steady paycheck, and health care, and comfort of course.
Sounds like you can’t shake this idea, Sam. And yes, you are absolutely right – there’s nothing better.
Great post Jon! Although I enjoy by day job (maybe because I only work 13 days in a month) I have always had the same need to be my own boss. I think that’s the drive that got me into my income properties. Best of luck! :)
I agree with you, the US is truly like nowhere else in the world and I am grateful for the opportunity of growing up and living here. America! We are all looking to expand beyond the idea of just a day job and I think that forces you to think differently. It makes every day look big and exciting!
AMERICA!
Entrepreneurial ideas are about all I ever think about. Actually implementing them is my challenge. I am finally starting to follow through with this blogging thing. I never would have taken blogging seriously, or as far as I have if I had not found the Yakezie! You guys are all incredible!
Yakezie is truly an awesome community for bloggers!
I’ve never considered myself to have the entrepreneurial spirit but it’s definitely stirring. I got serious about my finances last summer and it seems to be a part of the evolution. Suddenly my day job is not enough (although I’m certainly grateful I have it!) and I am getting serious about a few different side hustles.
Incidentally, I also just read the post on not making excuses and they both sort of tie together… I’m starting with small entrepreneurial moves and seeing where they go rather than taking the all guns blazing approach (I know the guns will burn out in a few weeks when I start making excuses!).
I’m a “one step at a time” guy too.
The title of your post rings a little ironic for me, since one of the official guiding tenets at my day job (many large companies have these little sets of principles/commandments/philosophies) is finding fulfillment in your work. I think that this hard enough for most people, but not so much for entrepreneurs.
Haha, welcome to the club. Corporations don’t like entrepreneurs ;)
Hahah, I agree- the look on people’s faces when you tell them you get paid for blogging is priceless, it’s totally worth the uncertainty, the long hours and the sometimes, critical self-exploration that comes with this kind of work! I LOVE getting paid for doing work that’s meaningful for me. I did blogging on the side and was terrified to make it a full time gig but when I did it was so fulfilling.
Granted, there are days where there’s nobody to blame for my shortcomings but myself. Other days where I wish that I could just clock out at 5pm and say “not my problem,” but with power comes responsibility and I’m so happy to finally have some power I will gladly take responsibility- no hiding behind a box who pays me pennies on what should have been valued work! I’ll take the praise with the criticism but I’m glad it’s *mine.*
I agree, the day job is not enough. I envy your drive and passion. It’s great that you are still young and can take many chances. I should have taken more chances when I was younger, but I had some constraints. Well, it’s never too late. :)
Jon,
This post resonates well with my thoughts. I came to American with $20 in my pocket. After finishing my master’s degree, I have been able to own and run three hotels. It almost looks like a miracle when I think about it. But, as Napolean Hill says, you can achieve what your mind can conceive.
I thought my day job was enough until I found blogging. I’m working around the clock but I feel like I’m more alive now than before I knew what the online world is all about. I still like my day job and plan to keep it for the time being as I work with good people, the pay is stable, and I like the challenge.
I’m at a different stage in life so my day job and this part-time blogging career is enough. I plan to blog for a long time as it will keep retirement interesting and generating some extra income.
In the fourth grade I started selling friendship bracelets with a friend until “the man” (one of the teachers, shut us down. I’ve always been a bit of an entrepreneur, but I’m concerned that where I am in my life. If I want to start a family, we just bought a house, what demands are reasonable to put on my own time?
I certainly don’t love my day job, but it’s OK for now while I’m exploring other passions. My day job pays the bills while I figure out what I really want to do and how to get paid to do it. I’ve always been one to find extra work, so I’m hoping that eventually I’ll be able to quit the day job to focus on my pet care business and blogging.