Probably one of the scariest, or perhaps gutsiest, financial decisions to make is to fire your boss. Not because you’ve won the lottery, but because you’ve decided to go for it on your own. If you were anything like me, being on your own didn’t mean you planned on being there alone in the first place. Instead, your breakout plan started as a conspiracy with other would-be entrepreneurs.
Entrepreneurial Empathy
My older son, called me while stuck in traffic and after having a particularly bad day at work, to let me know that he was going to quit his job at the end of the week. Of course he had no backup, but as a new husband, I guess he presumed his gainfully employed bride wouldn’t mind temporarily shouldering his part of their finances. It wasn’t hard to persuade him to stay the course, he was just seeking empathy. Six months later, he’s still gainfully employed, but still working on that exit strategy.
You need more than just being young and fed-up to succeed in business. For salaried employees, a bad day, week, or month is probably the worse reason to quit your job, much less start a new business venture. It took me a few years of planning and a mystical “sign”, in the form of a merger to convince me to go for it.
Who’s Got Your Entrepreneur Back?
Most entrepreneurs probably start vocalizing their plans way in advance of their departure from the salaried category. Initially this vocalization might be merely an empathy sound bite. Later it represents a cry for validation. Finally it’s a cry to arms. Your friends may even egg you on. “Sure, go for it.” You’ll hear them say. “We’ve got your back.” What is meant, but unheard is, “But please don’t ask us for a loan, or anything.”
Sans Job Security
I had plenty backers when I first started looking for validation. It was amazing how quickly my friends faded from view, however, once I took the plunge. Most of us worked in the same industry. We all had the same opinion about our full time travel jobs and we all preached the same scripture about lack of recognition and rewards. So why did they all, except one, take a step back, while my current partner and I plunged off the corporate ladder? The plan was for our friends to join our marry band once we setup camp in the Sheriff’s forest.
What, me Worry?
Luckily, we landed safely and generally profitably, but we are disappointed with the amount of no confidence votes. Today, I’m not sure if I’m sensing some minor misgivings from our would-be co-conspirators or are those shadows circling in wait for something sinister.
