I love any questions that starts with the word “can”.
My reason is encapsulated in this cartoon:
If you are a parent or a grandparent, I’m sure it brought a smile to your face, as it did mine.
So… Can anyone be a business owner?
Or, in other words, “does everyone have the ability to be a business owner”?
As a business owner, myself, I’m very grateful that the answer to the question, “Can anyone be a business owner?” is, quite simply, “no”.
Why?
Because as a business owner I want people whom I can engage to help me in my business. To do the things I don’t enjoy doing, that I’m not as good as them to do and/or to take the workload off my shoulders.
I’m very aware of my capabilities. I’m very aware that if it was up to me to do it all, there would be an awful lot that would be left undone. I’m very aware of what I love to do and what I don’t love to do in the running of our business.
In nearly 18 years of working with business owners, I’ve met many who went into business for one of the following reasons:
The challenges with these reasons are:
Reid Hoffman also says, ‘Entrepreneurs jump off a cliff and build parachutes on their way down.’
That quote truly embodies what it means to be a busines owner and go after your dreams.
Do you have that ability?
Do you have that level of commitment?
Do you have that much determination?
There are many that do… but there are many more that don’t.
Over the years Rob and I have had ownership of several business, the last nearly 18 of which has been a business coaching and mentoring business. On top of that we have a Master of Business, post graduate degree.
In my experience, the more I learn about myself, my abilities and my business the more I realise I still have much to learn.
In my opinion, being a business owner has been one of the most rewarding AND most difficult things I’ve done in my life.
Firstly, my reward has come from my own personal development, because as quoted by E James Rohan, I’ve had to “work harder” on myself than my business. Why? Because what is happening in my business is a direct reflection of me – my beliefs about myself, money and other people. It’s a direct reflection of my capability not only to do the technical work, but my ability to provide leadership to other people and my business acumen.
Secondly, together my husband Rob and I are able to share with others the things that we’ve learned about ourselves, working as a married couple in business, and the highs and lows of being a business owner. Our experiences have been the greatest asset to our business.
Thirdly, I DO believe that you can earn more money and have more time off than you can as an employee. BUT it takes many years and a lot of hard work to get it to that point.
Can anyone be a business owner – No. Not just anyone can be a business owner.
However, if you are prepared to do whatever it takes, if you are prepared to surround yourself with the best support and help you can find, you CAN do it.
Is your business giving you the results you want? Is your business giving you the financial freedom and time freedom you want for yourself and your family? Reach out today for a confidential conversation. We’re here to support you in achieving exactly the life you want for yourself and your loved ones.
What does it take to actually remove yourself from the day-to-day grind of business? Learn from our panel of Business Owners who've Been There, Done That.