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7 Characteristics of the Entrepreneurial Life

Posted By Darren Rowse 17th of December 2005 Pro Blogging News 0 Comments

Young EntrepreneurI was out last night and got talking to a mate of a mate (Ben) who in the past year had just started a small business. I love chatting to people in the start up phase of companies as there is often a kindred entrepreneurial spirit that is shared through the conversation.

The conversation was quite fascinating as we shared our stories and experiences of the first year or two.

Ben’s business couldn’t be more different than mine. He sells products in an industrial setting. He’d had previous experience in the industry and most of the challenges he’s face have revolved around getting good products, supply chains, getting payments from customers, warehousing etc. He needed significant capital to get up and running and has considerable ongoing overheads that need to be covered from month to month. The potential returns on his investment of time and capital are quite large and his prospects are good – however there are real risks and some big players in his field who could make life difficult for him.

My Business on the other hand had a very different story in terms of my challenges. They revolved more around issues of technology, relationships, profile, publicity, managing incoming money from a variety of currencies, avoiding burnout, recruiting others etc. My own overheads were considerably lower than Ben’s with the major ‘expense’ being my own time. Again the potential return on this investment of time is significant and I feel the prospects are good but in many ways the progress has been a lot slower for Ben (although I suspect he’s about to hit a growth spurt where as I’ve just had one).

It was interesting to compare the differences between our experiences. There were numerous times when we both shook our heads and said words to the effect of ‘if only it was like that for me’ and there were other times where we laughed at how easy we had certain things that the other didn’t have.

Perhaps even more interesting to me than our differences were the similarities.

One would think that being in such different industries that there wouldn’t be a whole lot of these – but in fact there were actually many. Some of the similarities in our entrepreneurial journeys so far included:

  • Emotional Roller Coaster – We both spoke of times of elation, lots of fear and uncertainty and times of real disappointment and even depression.
  • Loneliness – Being a solo entrepreneur is something I enjoy so much. I’m an introvert and need time alone to energize myself – but there have been real periods of feeling isolated and alone. Interacting with people online helps with this – but there is no substitute for a real chat.
  • Freedom/Flexibility – Working for yourself brings with it some wonderful positives including the freedom not to have to answer to anyone and the ability to set your own course (and work hours). While there are many responsibilities that you feel squarely upon your own shoulders the freedom and ability to change course quickly is a great thing after working in environments that are very established.
  • Logistical Challenges – The administrative tasks that any small business in start up faces are almost enough to kill the passion and excitement at times. Setting up companies, a financial structure, working out tax etc are all something we both went through periods of struggle around.
  • Relational Challenges – I can’t think of a business that wouldn’t have some sort of relational challenge. Whether it be with staff, partners, suppliers, co-workers, customers, family/housemates or competitors – relationships need to be managed. Business would be a breeze without the people!
  • Scalability – Starting a solo business that grows brings the inevitable challenge of how to sustain the growth in a life giving way. This brings up many challenges from those of a financial matter, to staffing, to time management. My mind goes to some of the stories and lessons in The E-Myth (aff link) which address some of this.
  • Workaholism – Talk to most start up owners and you see a glazed look in their eyes that is the direct result of the combination of lack of sleep, too many hours in front of a screen and the inability to get your mind off the job. I often talk about the hard work aspect of my business in a way that makes it seem like a drag (and sometimes it is) but mixed in with this is also the addictive nature of starting up something that you actually love. There’s a book been doing the rounds in the past few months here in Australia (and probably elsewhere) called ‘Work is Better than Sex’ which talks about this. While ‘work’ is sometimes talked about in negative terms I find I’m coming across an increasing number of people who actually get great pleasure from their work. Balance is needed but work isn’t all bad (or am I deluding myself).

I’m sure there would have been many more similarities that Ben and I would have discovered had the conversation continued. I enjoyed it thoroughly and thought it might be an interesting one to continue here. Feel free to share your own experiences an insights in comments.

About Darren Rowse
Darren Rowse is the founder and editor of ProBlogger Blog Tips and Digital Photography School. Learn more about him here and connect with him on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
Comments
  1. I’m am also just starting up my own company, and this post is very timely for me. One of the great benefits of the internet for me is that I can more easily find people like you (and Ben) and share common experiences.

    It can be tricky when all your existing relationships are with people in full time employment, and not particularly understanding of the particular issues you might be facing.

    I’m trying to start blogging all the issues I come across in starting my business over at my website, for my own benefit and because I promised it to members of the Designers Inhouse mailing list. This is the kind of resource I’ll be pointing out. Thanks!

    Mathew.

  2. I’ve also started my own business a couple of months ago, although I’ve started it together with a friend. We’re trying to bring the “fun” that is in shops such as ThinkGeek and Jinx to Israel. I can see all 7 characteristics in the work, except that I see “Loneliness” differently, as I love working alone and at some points a partnership is aching to that. However, I do enjoy it – And it does bring me to pace when I slack a bit from time to time.

    Lately I’ve started blogging my experiences with using the Java technology to build the e-shop and other projects I take with time, and I could see that a lot of how I felt in making the e-shop and getting it known (still a work in progress, let me tell you that) is happening all over again with the blog.

  3. Probably my reply is in context with your post or perhaps it is not. But anyways I’d also like to share the following few points I made at my blog yesterday about certain to-do’s/not-to-do’s in a venture.

    To-do’s & Not-to-do’s in a venture — in summary:

    1. Bootstrap if possible (to-do)
    2. Do not be over optimistic (Not-to-do)
    3. Take calculated risks (To-do)
    4. Do not overspend (To-do)
    5. Listen to your users/Seek opinion & feedback/Be proactive (To-do)
    6. Perform usability studies (To-do)
    7. Research your market and nail down the requirements (To-do)
    8. Do not over-do (To-do)
    9. More talk(marketing) & less walk(development) (Not-to-do)
    10. Keep it(a product/service) simple and yet configurable (To-do)
    11. Don’t give up on your dreams (To-do)
    12. Learn from mistakes (To-do)
    13. Ignore profitablity plan/exit criteria (Not-to-do)
    14. Develop a brand (to-do)

    –An avid Internet browser

  4. Dion Kramer says: 12/17/2005 at 10:27 pm

    Hi Darren,

    Simply wanted to let you know that I have enjoyed reading your blog for several months now. I stumbled upon your blog via Yaro Starak at Entrepreneur’s Journey.

    Anyway, Im about to switch off for 2005 and I just wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

    Kind regards, Dion Kramer.

    (Brisbane, Australia)

  5. […] Darren Rowse has some interesting thoughts on Seven Characteristics of the Entrepreneurial Life over at his blog and they are well reading and thinking about. […]

  6. Thanks Darren for the great article. I’d like to comment on the loneliness / workaholic factors. I’ve been working solo with various web ventures off and on since 1998, and every time I pick up a new project I find myself locking myself in the office and in turn shunning friends and loved ones. Launching a business is completely exhilerating internally, but without anyone to share it with the excitement tends to evaporate a little more quickly than other forms of exhileration.

    I can easily work seven 12-hour days every week and still feel like I haven’t accomplished anything. Maintaining a firm schedule designed to curb my workaholic tendencies is the only way I’ve found to keep myself well-rounded and happy, and in turn energized enough to make every ounce of energy I put into my work count.

    At the beginning of each week I designated 2 days that I’m going to work 12 hours without distractions (Monday and Friday) and 1 day that I will have completely off (Sunday). The remaining 4 days I divide the day into 3 hour segments, and dedicate two of those segments to work, one segment to chores, errands and studies, and one segment to play. As soon as that 3 hour segment is up, I make myself either stop working or get to work, no matter what the circumstances are. These 3 hour segments allow me either a great breakfast or dinner with the girlfriend or a night out with the boys without being hard on myself for not working enough. And at the end of the week, each of the 50 hours I put into work were all solid hours.

    Cheers, Ryan

  7. A great post Darren and very timely for us as we battle the isolation and loneliness challenge in different ways.

  8. RSS – very sound advice.

    I’ve been thinking about work/life recently and came up with this.

    http://conceptualsandpit.blogspot.com/2005/11/strategy-for-living-life.html

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