A Tale of a Young Entrepreneur Being Fired, Quitting his Jobs, and Taking a Leap into Entrepreneurship for Life
Have you ever been fired from a job? I have. Actually, once or twice. I’m not exactly proud of it, but the longest 9-5 job I’ve ever had lasted only 3.5 months. I would either quit or become so unenthusiastic about what I was doing, that I would end up — essentially — provoking my boss to fire me. I simply could never hold back my desire to run my own business and be my own boss.
It’s one of the toughest things in the world to be working for someone else when you have a burning desire to go off on your own and create a company. It literally haunts you every…single…day… while you’re sitting there in your cubicle (cell) taking your 15 minute lunch break.
I remember being 16 years-old and working at this little shop called Meat Farms. My mom actually got me that summer job. I was absolutely miserable working there. All day long I would be thinking about how I could start a business and make my own money. I told my boss that I would be going on vacation to Jamaica. But the plan was to spend a few weeks relaxing and thinking of business ideas at home (not Jamaica). Stupidly, I told one of my coworkers my plans and when I got back from my “trip to Jamaica” I was fired.
Throughout the years I continued to get jobs but I never lasted. I would work, save up some cash, invest the cash into some sort of venture, then either quit or get fired. It was something that I was actually getting used to.
During my college years I got a few jobs as a waiter, food-runner, and at catering halls. Got paid around $10 bucks an hour. But, of course, carrying plates of food around all day and night wasn’t something that I could bear. And it showed. So, again, I would be let go or I voluntarily left. My mind was on entrepreneurship, not serving food.
But as much as I was able to get used it, there was this extreme ambivalence about the whole thing. It really upset me and angered me that I “needed” the job in order to make money and use it to build a business. But, at the same time, it was always extremely liberating and exhilarating when I was fired or quit.
There’s a feeling of fear when ending a job as well. How will I pay the rent? How will I continue to fund my business? Will I have to borrow money? What the heck am I going to do? These feeling are totally normal and should be expected.
But at the end of the day I couldn’t pretend to be a 9 to 5er anymore. I knew that I had to stop working 9to5 altogether no matter what the outcome would be. No more quitting! No more being fired! Time to take control back into my own hands! Time to take the leap and go full-fledge into what I really wanted to be doing, regardless of being broke at times or not having a stable income like everyone else.
Are you working a 9to5 that is making you absolutely miserable? Are you an entrepreneur stuck in corporate America desperately wanting to break out of your cubicle and venture out into entrepreneurship? Will you take the leap? Are you ready?
10 Comments
Graham Lutz, The Young Capitalist
July 26th, 2007 at 11:36 am
I’ve got a 9-5, and I hate the idea of having a 9-5 more than I hate the actual job (with a soft “j”). But I have a family to support now and I would rather not take an enormous risk when I can still build my own business outside of my full time work…or in the middle of the day when i leave and go get on the wireless network at Grouchy’s Deli…(see timestamp).
I totally agree with you though, David. I’ve had my job for about 9 months now and that’s a HUGE record for me! HA! But I give myself 6 months to a year to get out of it! Wish me luck!
BTW, think I could ask you a few questions about blogging? I have a few that I can’t find answers to. Thanks!
Graham
Entrepreneur » Entrepreneur July 26, 2007 12:32 pm
July 26th, 2007 at 12:36 pm
[...] A Tale of a Young Entrepreneur Being Fired, Quitting his Jobs, and … Have you ever been fired from a job? I have. Actually, once or twice. I?m not exactly proud of it, but the longest 9-5 job I?ve ever had lasted only 3.5 months. I would either quit or become so unenthusiastic about what I was doing, … [...]
Michael
July 26th, 2007 at 3:25 pm
Hi David and Graham
I am an entrepreneur. My first and only job was at 13, where I learnt the value of book keeping. This computer shop did a good trade but liquidated. Since then I have run my own maths lessons to pay through varsity. Leaving varsity I started a business. However I have run out of time and money to develop this into a profitable business. Should I get a job and continue to develop the business in the early mornings and evenings?
David Askaripour
July 26th, 2007 at 3:27 pm
Yes, absolutely! You should be doing everything within your powers to make it happen. That’s what a hungry and determined entrepreneur does. You can do it — as long as you are willing to fight for it.
Graham Lutz, The Young Capitalist
July 26th, 2007 at 3:45 pm
Hey Michael, correct me if I’m wrong, but it sounds like you’re pretty young…late teens or early 20’s? If that’s the case, you have a TON of productive energy. if you have to get a job, you still about another 40 hours a week outside that to build YOUR business. yeah, you might lose some sleep, but that will just make success taste THAT MUCH BETTER!
Michael
July 26th, 2007 at 4:12 pm
Thanks David and Graham
I am 22 and passionate about my business. I was between two minds. That a job will put money into my business and family. Or as an entrepreneur I should concentrate on the success of my business at all costs. That a job may sidetrack that success.
Thank you for your reply. I am learning that using my time wisely is a great skill of an entrepreneur.
David Askaripour
July 26th, 2007 at 5:12 pm
Well your family should “always” be number 1, remember that. It’s up to you to find the balance between family and business — you can do it. Just stay focused and set goals.
Victor Fuentes
July 26th, 2007 at 5:14 pm
Hey Michael, Dave, and Grahm.
I agree with you guys about the job situation. Sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do. If it takes a job to get some funding and to take care of the fam in the meantime, then go for it. I think the key here is to stay focused. Stay focused on WHY you have that job and stay focus on your goals. Dont let yourself fall into the trap of having the job and staying comfortable in it. If you are a true entrepreneur, I dont think there is much of a problem of that happening. Also, yes use your time outside of that job wisely. Best of luck Michael!
roadrage
July 27th, 2007 at 2:18 pm
I’m with a couple of you on this. I actually like what I’m doing with my 9-5, but I have having to go to work and the whole 9-5 game. It’s the loss of control I think that upsets me.
Like Graham, I agree that now is the time to focus on building your business outside of work. If the internet is your business - or if you’ve thought you’d like to start one - then get on it. I think we’ve all seen that the web isn’t going anywhere and if you put the year or two into really building a solid community then you will be rewarded with a “real, tangible” business down the road.
And who knows, perhaps you’ll get a million-plus buyout and you can live off the interest for the rest of your life! Of course most of us here would just start the next project…
David Askaripour
July 27th, 2007 at 2:25 pm
Excellent advice, Roadrage. The time we invest now will provide the dividends for a lifetime!
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