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Sunday, April 18, 2010

Comments

the entrepreneurial mother™

Great post Katherine, as always.

I certainly concur with these being myths also.
From my point of view, I believe everyday living is risky. Having a job is risky. Having more control over my own day is far less risky than waiting for the pay check, in the hope that it does come on a regular basis. Any "project" that's considered is done so through a ROI and risk management filter. Nothing is done blindly, unless of course I have to go with the flow, and when I just wing it!

Certainly when I started the entrepreneurial mother™ (and aCE talentNET for that matter), I had no start up capital either. What I did have was the support of those around me, and a dogged determination to DO stuff. The rest falls into place, one way or other.

Overnight success? HA!
That is so true. Many overnight successes, once the surface is scratched, have been in the game a long time. The overnight success part is more about the rest of the world catching on (especially if media driven) when the offering hits their collective radar, and not a whole lot more than that really...

That's my experience at least...

The Work at Home Wife

I started my business 2.5 years ago and I am pretty sure there are a lot of people close to me that still attach me to the above myths.

I also started with nothing but what I already had available and the support of my family. As far as risky is concerned, I feel working for myself is far less of a risk than having someone else in control of my destiny.

Whether I fail or succeed is determined by no one but me.

Brigitte Mehr

This is a really good post and I agree totally that they are very real myths that people do have. The reality is somewhat differnet thank goodness :)

Amy Reinink

I couldn't agree more. I work with entrepreneurs frequently, and have a freelance writing business myself. The entrepreneurs I know who have seemingly achieved overnight success are those who are working through the night to make it happen, as many keep their day jobs until their business has truly taken off (a decidedly un-swashbuckling tactic). Thanks for debunking some pervasive myths!

Catherine

So right -- and I also love the insight of the commenter above, that sometimes working for yourself is less risky than working for someone else!

Michele Lerner

After 20 years running my own business as a freelance writer, I absolutely agree with you that these are myths. I would never consider myself a risk-taker! However, I have to be honest when I talk about freelancing with others that I have been supported in this business because of the steady income of my husband and ongoing health insurance coverage through his employers. I think it would be a bigger risk for someone who is the sole support of themselve and their family because of the fluctuation of income.
As to the "overnight success" aspect -- I always tell people that in my first year as a freelancer I made about $1000. It's been a long, rewarding road since then!

Jennifer Sergent

I agree with Michele -- I'm just starting as a freelancer, and I'm getting really good work, but it wouldn't be possible without the support and benefits from my husband's salary. Otherwise, I would be looking for another full-time job, and another boss!

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