Will Bridges

Not everyone should start their own businesses. Some people are more suited to be cogs than to manage the whole wheel. When you start your own business you actually start at the top instead of starting somewhere at some point in a ladder of an organization chart when you work for someone else. With a small business you start at the top and put people under you to gain position. When you work for someone else you climb above people or stay at your position for years. The good thing about working for someone else is you usually make a substantial amount of money only managing your particular area of expertise. This makes you vulnerable as well because overspecialization will lead to eventual uselessness. Especially in the tech industry. You can’t depend on your position, ever. Working for yourself is dangerous if you overspecialize because you will need many different types of expertise or pay others to handle those things you aren’t good at. If you have no seed money you have to specialize in everything. This means accounting, personnel management, negotiation, and possibly many other areas including your individual skill you are selling. You must love all of these things or your business will stifle and have troubles growing. Many businesses fail because people actually realize they have to deal with more than they bargained for but they still need to feel in control of each of these areas. I say if you have the money, hire an expert but to keep from getting taken advantage of still have some decent knowledge of the skill you are hiring someone else to do. I don’t mean become an expert but the internet is out there full of information on everything you can imagine. So, use it and find out information on what you need to know. Don’t hire the first schmo that comes along. References say a lot but only if you know the references, otherwise references can be manufactured.

Owning your own business is hard work. Be prepared to take on any role you may need to before you make a decision to leave the herd. Good money can be made if you are skilled and have faith. Negativity will destroy you faster than anything.