Being in love is great. Being in love with your business, when you’re an entrepreneur, is even better. Waking up each morning knowing you are getting ready to do exactly what you love is more than most people could ever say about any “job” they have had. Although there are days when tossing in your hat seems like a viable option, remembering how much you love your “job” can quickly snap an entrepreneur out of that mentality. Different business owners also have different reasons why they love their businesses. It might be the products or the customers they deal with, or it could even be the fact that they are the ones in charge of it all. The reasons are as varied as the businesses themselves.
We asked entrepreneurs and business owners what they loved about “being their own boss” and here is what they have to say.
#1- Transforming bold ideas
What I love most about being an entrepreneur, particularly at the helm of DeepPower, is the exhilarating journey of turning bold ideas into transformative realities. It's about charting unknown territories like we do with our XDrill™ technology in geothermal drilling. The excitement lies in creating solutions that not only drive business growth but also have a profound impact on our planet. There's a unique satisfaction in building a team that shares a vision for sustainable energy and seeing that collective effort materialize into something that can change the world.
Thanks to Andrew Van Noy, DeepPower!
#2- Cultivating a healthy and fertile creative environment
The whole reason I started my business was to develop my creativity and be able to control how and where it was applied. To this day, this is the reason I love being an entrepreneur. As the Director of a now expanded business, I am able to pursue creativity in whatever way I want, while empowering my team to do so in their own way. Cultivating a healthy and fertile creative environment is a priority for me, and having control over my own business allows me to accomplish just that.
Thanks to Ryan Stone, Lambda Films!
#3- Constant journey of creation and innovation
As the CEO of Custom Neon, the most exhilarating aspect of being an entrepreneur is the constant journey of creation and innovation. Every day presents a new challenge and opportunity to think outside the typical entrepreneurial box and bring something unique to the market that stands apart from the neverending Red Sea market and beyond to blue ocean innovation. But beyond the innovation and creativity, it's the ability to build a team, a culture, and a community around our brand that I find truly fulfilling. In my opinion, setting a vision and inspiring others to join you on that journey to make a meaningful impact together.
Thanks to Jake Munday, Custom Neon!
#4- The power to inspire
One of the greatest facets of being an entrepreneur is the freedom that comes with it – the liberty to create, expand, and shape ideas without boundaries. The incredible correlation between effort and outcome serves as a potent motivator. Entrepreneurs are lifelong learners; every day presents another opportunity for growth and enhancement. Entrepreneurship, therefore, is not just about charting one's course but also about leaving a positive imprint on others' lives.
Thanks to David Zhang, Kate Backdrop!
#5- Opportunity to make changes
My favorite thing about being an entrepreneur is the opportunity it gives me to make change and try new ways of doing things. When you work for a traditional employer, you can make suggestions but you may have limited power to implement your ideas. When you are an entrepreneur, you are in the driver’s seat. Your ideas shape the direction of the company, and its success depends on you. I find both the freedom and the responsibility of being an entrepreneur fulfilling.
Thanks to Tim Johnson, Health In Tech!
#6- Making a significant difference in people's lives
In my role as an entrepreneur in the home services industry, I have a deep sense of satisfaction at the opportunity to make a significant difference in people's lives. By providing essential services, my business plays a critical role in ensuring the safety, comfort, and well-being of our customers. I take great pride in creating a supportive and engaging work environment for my employees where they can develop their skills, advance their careers, and feel valued and respected. This dual impact – improving the lives of our customers and empowering our employees- is what makes being an entrepreneur in this industry so rewarding and purposeful.
Thanks to Kent Boll, Service Today!
#7- Helping people embrace their unique beauty
At Esthetic Finesse, we absolutely love the feeling of making our clients feel beautiful in their own skin. It's what gets us super excited to jump out of bed every morning! Seriously, there's nothing quite like the amazing feeling of ensuring that our clients look and feel their very best. We get to be a part of their journey towards self-confidence and self-love, and that is truly priceless. Being able to spread positivity and help people embrace their unique beauty is the most rewarding thing ever.
Thanks to Diane Howard, Esthetic Finesse!
#8- Creating value and driving change
What I cherish most about being an entrepreneur, particularly in the realm of digital marketing, is the freedom and creativity it allows. Every day presents an opportunity to innovate, to experiment with new strategies, and to see tangible results from our efforts. Being an entrepreneur also means having the autonomy to make decisions that not only shape the future of my business but also have a direct impact on my team and clients. Moreover, entrepreneurship has allowed me to merge my personal passions with my professional life. Overall, being an entrepreneur is about creating value, driving change, and continuously evolving both personally and professionally.
Thanks to Paul Mario Vratusha, D-Studio Consulting!
#9- Creating a positive impact
As an entrepreneur, my journey is marked by the exhilaration of constant learning and meaningful connections with other business owners. Another significant aspect of entrepreneurship is the ability to choose the people I work with. From clients to employees, the liberty to collaborate with people who align with my vision and values is invaluable. Creating and selling products and services that I believe in is another aspect that fuels my passion. Finally, being an entrepreneur allows me to stand for my beliefs and share them with a larger audience. It’s about creating a positive impact, leading by example, and carving a path that others can follow and be inspired by.
Thanks to Josh Michaels, Money4Loans!
#10- Exploring new ideas and defying convention
Defying conventions – Having spent 17 years as an employee in the corporate recruitment world, where I found my desire to generate ideas, solve problems, and push boundaries often clashed with the established norms of corporate rule books, launching my own IT recruitment agency, VIQU, felt like I'd been unshackled. Remarkably, many of these ideas, when put into action, not only drove our revenue streams but also propelled VIQU, to surpass and outperform our competitors. Innovation has now become one of the cornerstones of VIQU, and it's truly what excites and motivates me to get out of bed every morning.
Thanks to Matt Collingwood, VIQU!
#11- AI innovation explosion
In the midst of the AI innovation explosion, building a vision as an AI entrepreneur means charting a path in unexplored territory. I enjoy the unique opportunity to shape how emerging AI technologies will impact the world. My vision can guide the development of AI solutions that are not only technologically advanced but also ethically sound and socially beneficial. This visionary role is crucial in steering the direction of AI toward a future that aligns with my ideals and aspirations of being an entrepreneur.
Thanks to Jason Tan, Engage AI!
#12- Leaving a lasting legacy
Being an entrepreneur allows me to turn my passion into a purpose and my dreams into a reality. It's not just about building a successful business but also creating a positive impact on the lives of others. I have the freedom to be creative and take risks, which can lead to new opportunities and innovations. I am constantly learning and evolving in my role, and that keeps me motivated and excited about my work. For me, being an entrepreneur is about making a difference and leaving a lasting legacy. You will realize that the ups and downs are all part of the journey, but every step is worth it when you‘re pursuing your passion and making a positive impact.
Thanks to Eric Eng, AdmissionSight!
#13- Having the ability to decide
Being an entrepreneur is not without its challenges. In fact, I'd say I've worked more overtime and had more sleepless nights as a business owner than any employment I'd taken on in the past. That all being said – having the agency and ability to decide when it is I need to be on the computer vs when it is I go to the gym / on holiday / any other activity is priceless. If I have to work late because I took lunch off to go for a swim – that's my call and that's an amazing feeling.
Thanks to Darcy Ogdon-Nolan, The Bircher Bar!