Lately, I’ve met many people who have decided to start their own business. From larger investments like a family restaurant to an in-home daycare service; entrepreneurship is on the rise. To pursue a new business venture full-time requires a great deal of courage. They choose their new line of work, put a name to it and set out to market their skills. Even when the rest of the world may doubt their ability to be successful, they must remain fixated on the bigger picture. Often times they have left a full-time job or exhausted all of their savings to begin this new chapter. It’s scary.

People are drawn to the concept of being their ‘own boss’ for the freedom. Having the ability to select their own hours, employees and salary seem liberating and a refreshing alternative to fighting traffic to punch a clock; working toward someone else’s dream. However, contrary to what is thought to be a freeing situation, an eight-hour day is an unrealistic desire for the first few years of any new business undertaking. Entrepreneurs become their own marketing team, research and development, pubic relations, accounting, etc. It’s a joggling act of responsibilities, leaving very little time in their day for much else. In the end, the level of success lies solely on the business owner. I feel that other than creative freedom, the entrepreneur isn’t left with very many other liberties.

Having a sole source of income is something of the past. It’s becoming increasingly more important to have a back-up plan as the cost of living continues to rise and the job market becomes less stable. Fostering a passion into a business can be daunting and actually requires a fair bit of ego. A business owner needs to believe that his or her product or service is superior to all others and act accordingly. There is certainly a ‘boss’ or leader mentality that sets an entrepreneur apart. It may not be natural right away, but as time passes and they realize just how much is at stake…it’ll come.

An exciting concept of entrepreneurship is when friends with a varied skill-set come together  to start a business. This can alleviate some of the stress brought on by having to carry the brunt of job responsibilities alone. This can also prove as problematic as friends are great to socialize with, but the added pressure of a professional relationship could ruin the camaraderie.

Be it a lemonade stand or a construction empire, I think we all have a little bossy side ready to be explored.