From Employee to Entrepreneur

I grew up in a family of entrepreneurial parents, who although in their youth were employees, at some point decided to become entrepreneurs. By the time I was of age, my sister and brother were already entrepreneurs as well, having been employees in their respective fields. I was the only one in my 30s who was still an employee (and a very happy employee at that), when suddenly life took a turn and put me in front of the possibility of entrepreneurship. 

I am sure that many of you have heard these speeches where it is proposed that you "get out of your comfort zone," that you "own your time and your income;" in short, expressions where being an employee subtracts effort or admiration. Personally, I think the opposite. Being an employee is just as admirable as being an entrepreneur.  What I consider the difference is that being an employee in a job you do not like  is not the same as being an entrepreneur in the job you love. Will you go through difficult situations in both? Yes. Will there be times when you want to quit both? Also, yes. What motivates you not to quit entrepreneurship is the love you have for what you do, for what you have built; on the other hand, as an employee, you can feel that the benefit of your effort goes directly to someone else and not in the proportion you would like it to go to you. 

And don't get me wrong, I have always believed, applauded and even encouraged that if you are a happy employee and it hasn't crossed your mind to start a business, that's where you should stay. Challenge yourself every day with new tasks, propose initiatives in your company, social work, etc.  If you don't feel like being an entrepreneur, that's fine!   Enjoy the benefits of being in a job that you like, makes you happy and remunerates you effectively. Being an entrepreneur is not for everyone, neither is being an employee, and neither is better or worse than the other. 

If you are a happy or unhappy employee and want to be an entrepreneur, here are some things I personally think you should consider. 
 

- First of all, I would like to tell you that you are on the right track. I personally believe that to be an entrepreneur it is necessary (and if it is not, it gives you a big plus) to have been an employee before. This allows you to see a company from the inside, what you like, what you don't like, what kind of boss you want to be, as well as other social skills, such as teamwork and basic administrative skills. 

- Don't quit your job to start a business. That sure salary will be your base, your capital, which will help you maintain your mental health for a long time because an enterprise does not generate profits as fast as your paycheck. At the beginning, it will be difficult, you will work twice as much because your "free time" will now be for your business. 

- If you are going to partner with someone, make it as legal as possible. Or at least that everything, from financial information to the rights and obligations of each partner, be in writing. I have seen great friendships and loving relationships end because of a business partnership. If you ask me, I would say that you should start alone and as time goes by, add partners in your business lines, but never 100 percent in it, of course, unless you manage to get investment from a partner who, in addition to the financial side, will support you on the strategic side. 

- Train yourself as much as you can but be aware that you cannot do everything and that it is not your obligation to be an expert in everything. Surround yourself with the best people at your side and within your possibilities, for example: a good accountant, a good community manager and a good sales agent. You must be focused, of course, on selling but also on expanding your business.

- Look for incubators. Currently there are many incubators or business accelerators, from free ones that usually come from the government, to some where you pay a nominal amount. My advice is to join one. You will receive advice from experts in different topics, they will help you focus your ideas, see things you have not seen and above all, help you to have a clear strategy related to your next goals. 

- Surround yourself with entrepreneurs. This way you will not feel so lost. By being surrounded by entrepreneurs we listen to their situations, their triumphs and their problems, all of which helps us to empathize, to know that we are not the only ones to whom things happen and to be motivated by the achievements of others. 

- Attend networking events. Personally I hated networking events because I felt very uncomfortable or forced, but I started to enjoy them when I understood their purpose and the benefits I could get. You never know when someone can lend you a hand, share a supplier or even be your customer.

- Talk about your business, in person, on social media — be proud of it! Don't be embarrassed to talk about your business on social networks, or even to appear on the social networks of your business. Nowadays, social networks are betting on a more human side. 

To finish, I would also like to say that once you are an entrepreneur, once you leave your fixed salary and start working 100 percent for your business, that  will be the time to grow, to generate quality jobs and, above all, to create a safe working environment. Entrepreneurship gives us the possibility to create those work spaces where we always wanted to be, so never forget where you came from. 

Have courage. The road is long and we must learn to enjoy it, always at our own pace. As they say: "Learn from everyone, but don't compare yourself to anyone."