Have you recently been itching for something new in your life? Perhaps you’ve had a major life shift such as kids going off to college, divorce or retirement and you can’t help but think – what’s next?
Is business ownership your next career move?
Here are a few signs it may be time to seriously consider starting a business in 2016.
It’s just time. For as long as you can remember you’ve toyed with the idea of owning your own business. So all these years your inner entrepreneur has been patiently waiting for you to take action. Why not unleash it? When will there be a better time?
You’re tired of building wealth for someone else. You work your ass off. You don’t mind. You love working. But now that you’re (fill in age), you wonder if it’s time to start building something for yourself.
You don’t feel like you’re getting anywhere in your current job. If you dread waking up every morning, then you’re probably unfulfilled. Worse, if you keep getting passed over for promotions or feel undervalued, maybe it’s time. Starting your own business can give you an immense sense of accomplishment.
You want more control of your future. Companies are always shifting and with the uncertainty of layoffs or corporate takeover, it can feel like your future is in someone else’s hands. If you’ve gone through more than your share of layoffs, and have vowed “never again”. Why not create your own job security instead?
You have passion. You’re passionate about helping people, creating jobs, or building a better company. Owning your own business can bring back that passion that you haven’t felt in a long time. And by the way, passionate people make the best entrepreneurs.
You want flexibility. Tired of being told when you have to work or when you can vacation? Maybe you have small children with busy schedules, or perhaps it’s just that you’re most productive from 4 a.m. to 9 a.m.? Setting your own schedule, you realize, has become a priority. Owning your own business means you can.
You need to unleash your creativity. If you have been holding on to your creative ideas far too long, or don’t feel they are being utilized by your boss – then maybe it’s time to express yourself with your own business.
You think it may be time for personal reinvention. Major changes such as divorce and retirement often bring clarity and inspire personal reinvention. Buying a business can be a great way to reinvigorate something inside of you. Starting a business is very empowering and can be a way to take back your life.
You’re thinking about your children. Whether you want to build something to leave to your kids, or simply that you want to be a positive role model, entrepreneurship is something to be proud of. And maybe they will be part time employees through high school and beyond – which is a better education than any other.
You’re ready for a challenge. Some people thrive on learning new skills and knowledge. Your experience as a new business owner will bring you lots of challenges, in the best way possible. It will take all you’ve got in terms of your existing skills, plus some new ones you will discover along the way.
Taking the leap to business ownership will be hard, and you have to overcome your fear of the unknown. But at the end of the day, there is nothing more satisfying than steering your own ship and succeeding – knowing it was 100% your efforts that got you to this place.
