The Greatest Reasons Ever to Start a Business

People don’t start a business for many reasons. Confusion about what to do, fear of going out on a limb, too much effort involved, and not having the startup capital needed are among the most daunting. On the other hand there are many great reasons why you would want to start a business, once you realize that all your issues against it can be handled. First, let’s answer those issues:

• There is plenty of free information available for starting up the first time.
• Mentorship, at no cost is available through organizations such as SCORE.
• You can surround yourself with a team of experts that give you support.
• With a business credit score, you can get business-based financing.

There could be hundreds of reasons why you may personally feel the benefits of owning a business. There is a lot more to it than financial gain. Here are some of the most popular motivations for deciding to exit the “rat race” and leap into entrepreneurship:

• Making more money than you ever could at a job.
• Setting the pace, being a trendsetter.
• Challenging yourself to new adventures.
• Having fun doing what you really like doing.
• Possibly working from home.
• Being your own boss/independence.
• Setting your own schedule.
• Networking with like-minded, motivated people.
• Creating new employment in your community.
• Gaining tax benefits.
• Developing innovative products & services.
• Identifying niche markets.
• Freedom from the 40/40/40 syndrome.*
• Having influence in your community/the world.
• Creating company policies with your values and morals.
• Using failure & mistakes as reasons to progress.
• Building excellent “comeback” skills.
• Fulfilling your dream.
• Having true passion and exuberance for life.
• Developing business savvy.
• Becoming an expert in your field.
• Developing leadership skills.
• Becoming “cause” rather than “effect”.
• Becoming a role model/inspiration for others.
• Leaving a legacy for future generations.
• Attracting investors that rally to your success.
• Valuing your time spent.
• Improving quality of life with your products.
• Proving you can do it.

If you can relate to any of the above reasons, then don’t wait. Get started now. There is so much help for startup small business owners, it is virtually impossible to feel that you need to remain chained to a job for the rest of your life, making someone else’s dream happen. Yes, it can be nerve-wracking to step into the unknown at first but consider the overall quality of life you wish to have and what you would like to gain over the period of your “working” career. Ultimately, once your business is up and running, you can expand your company to the point where you have other people managing it. At this point, you move from business owner to investor and open up vistas of possibilities that you never would have achieved as an employee for a company not owned by you.

*40/40/40 Syndrome: Work 40 hours a week for 40 years of your life and retire on 40% of your income.