Entrepreneurship in Computing II

To continue with this short series I started a couple weeks ago, I want to talk about the next part of my presentation, starting the business.

Why Start a Business?

This was a topic of particular interest. Many people see too much risk in actually putting yourself out there, leaving a steady job, and running your own business. I knew for me I had to start my own business when I wasn’t happy with any of the jobs I had (aside from working my first real job at the deli). My experiences were primarily negative working retail (which is usually the case), but also with jobs in my industry. So I felt if I wanted to be happy I’d have to be my own boss. But that is not the only upside to starting your own business.

The payoff is greater, and not just in terms of money. That might not be the case, especially starting out. However, you will get the opportunity to create work of your own and take the lead on projects. You will also do what you love to do, not just what you are told to do. I for one enjoy programming. At my last couple of jobs however, I was strictly XHTML/CSS. I wanted to do innovative and cool things. Running my own business, I can do that.

It’s your ideas that manifest themselves into real products, not some upper management person or company. It’s also very rewarding to see people use what you create. You won’t get that working for a company.

Have I convinced you yet? Next time I’ll be talking about some tips to running a business.