All shapes and sizes…
I just got home from dinner with some friends of mine. I’ve known this couple for quite a few years. They are both wonderful people, some of the best I know, and a great match for each other. And, as it just dawned on me tonight, very successful entrepreneurs.
The husband currently manages a portfolio of real estate holdings they share with his parents. Nothing huge, but enough to support a couple families. In the past he’s been a carpenter and a police officer, amidst other jobs, but now really likes the flexibility of what he’s now doing.
The wife just opened her own one seat hair salon and art gallery and couldn’t be happier. Other than when she was a part time waitress, I don’t believe she has ever held what you or I would call a “business” job. I honestly don’t believe she could (and she would agree).
In my world, the world of technology entrepreneurship, the spotlight seems to shine most brightly on issues of scalability, funding and long term job creation. The term “lifestyle business” is used almost with disdain.
Talking to my friends at dinner though, they hit on a number of the themes I hear over and over from entrepreneurs:
- They’re doing what they love
- They don’t fit the “corporate” world; can’t fit the corporate world
- They thrive on challenge and flexibility
- They can’t imagine any other lifestyle that would feed their innate curiosity
You may think in the current financial times, they would feel vulnerable, even a bit scared. They told me they feel safer than all their friends in the business world. As they put it “I’ll never put myself out of a job.”
An entrepreneur is an entrepreneur. We’ve talked before about a definition of what an entrepreneur is. Looking back on that definition tonight after dinner with my friends, I realize it came from that “scalable, fundable” space. There is another definition of entrepreneurship centered around doing what you love, taking charge of your life, and successfully balancing being able to pay the bills with simply enjoying life.
Everyone has their own priorities and drivers, but that second defnition sounds pretty good, don’t you think?
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Comments
They are truly wonderful people Simon.
The funny thing about “fortune and risk” is that they don’t even think in those terms. I think they would say it’s about being authentic and true to yourself. They have tried more traditional lifestyles and employment, but it just isn’t them.
As my friend Mya would say “if you’re trying to be someone or something you simply aren’t, you’re bound to fail.”
I hear that from so many entrepreneurs.
So the philosophical question becomes were they lucky, is it the result of hard work, or are they simply doing all they know how to do?
What an inspirational take on the subject Dave! Your friends are a shining example of people who take control of their lives. Some might say they are lucky, and perhaps fortune has smiled on them, but it also sounds like they’ve made some risky choice, but managed that risk effectively.
They’re wonderful role models.