The joys of being self-employed

Four years ago I was an employee. Then I was not. A few months later I was employed once again...I was employed by ‘self’.

Being self-employed was a rude awakening. Not that I wasn’t aware that it’s an entirely different life. I have an MBA, I did research, I talked to business owners. But knowing something and living something are two totally different experiences. There is nothing that can prepare you for being a small business owner, but my book knowledge gave me the nerve. To sum up my education (formal and school of hard knocks), here are my top 4 difficult lessons:

1. a start-up doesn’t make money (for a long time)
2. you work long hours
3. a book is not a business coach
4. you want to get the “big guy’s” opinion, then realize you ARE the “big guy”.

After settling in, you start to view these negatives as positives (I'm guessing it's a self-survival technique):

1. a start-up isn’t always a start-up and you do make money (eventually)
2. you work long hours, but they are any 23 hours you CHOOSE to work (lol)
3. a book is not a business coach, and now you see why you need the coach
4. You ARE the “big guy” and you realize you have (most of) the answers, or the resources to get them.

I enjoy being employed by self, and I have one heck-of-a-good boss, too!