No matter how crazy the market seems, with its trends and upsets and ever-changing technologies, entrepreneurs remain free to create and build their businesses. Of course, that freedom comes with legal and moral restrictions. We have many cautionary adages to remind of us that: what goes around comes around; time wounds all heels; once bitten, twice shy.
Your involvement in creating, building, and growing a new business may range from a scrappy startup sinking his dreams and life savings into a last-ditch ambition to enterprising venture capitalist seeking to profit on someone else’s brilliant idea. Along that spectrum, you have the freedom to choose those opportunities that interest you.
The American mythology of rugged individuality contributes to the allure of independence. Whether you’re tired of the drudgery of working for “the man” or you earnestly believe in the viability of your own brilliant idea, the concept of independence expands beyond freedom from governmental tyranny. It may encompass freedom from shareholder demands, too.
No business exists independently of its market–not even government. The business of government depends upon a constituency willing and able to pay taxes and serve in its defense. A business with no market fails.
Independence as a business owner often results in enslavement to the business. From someone who once answered to a hierarchy of management, the freedom to exercise authority as well as shouldering the responsibility more than compensates for the wear and tear on one’s mental and emotional health. Small business owners often cite that they work longer hours and harder than ever, but they’re more satisfied and content because they took control of their careers. Smart entrepreneurs ensure they reserve time away from their businesses, which means establishing regular working hours and taking vacations. Sustained independence as a businessman involves sacrifice as much as it requires “setting good and realistic expectations.”
The concept of business independence ignores the inherent contradiction of entrepreneurship: everyone is your boss. Where you once might have answered to a micromanaging jerk of a supervisor, the entrepreneur now answers to his clients–all of them. Therein lies the conundrum of the entrepreneur: the illusion of control. As Gloria Atanmo notes, companies need employees who are content to follow their rules. Entrepreneurs chafe against rules, often don’t work well in groups, often defy the definition of “normal.”
The allure of independence comes from simply have the wherewithal to say one single word: No. It means you can deny an unreasonable request or decline a low-bid offer. It also means that you can accept requests as they suit you and pursue those opportunities that spark your interest and enthusiasm. You can decide what to sell, when to sell it, and at what price–or even if you’d prefer to build goodwill and donate of your time and expertise.
Business independence means you not only have the authority to pick and choose, but you also have the responsibility to accept some work so you can fulfill your obligations to earn an income. You must skill continue your education, learn skills beyond your core expertise, and stay abreast of the industry. If the authority to choose, delegate, and manage is yours, then the responsibility to succeed is yours, too.
Independence involves making decisions, hard decisions. Sometimes those decisions result in painful sacrifice which proves what warriors have always known: Freedom is worth fighting for.
The Heggen Group works with entrepreneurs to help arm them for the fight for independence by building feasible processes that support ethical, growth-oriented business practices.
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