Micro Entrepreneurship

Since I decided to go solo and pursue micro entrepreneurship [ leaving full time employment] a few months back, most friends often ask “how am I doing”? A subtle way of saying “hey dude, are you not starving yet? You can still change your mind”. Majority of my friends and relatives believe full time employment is a better option, and I used to believe that too. Well, a regular income, benefits as a regular employee and perks for being an executive is something that you can easily get comfortable with.  But is it worth it? I thought, I am making someone achieve his dreams, but what about my own dream? Can the comfort of full time employment satisfy the craving inside me to make waves that I can call my own? After so much thought and consultation with family, I made a decision to be my own man, and in the process, become more of hands on dad, which a full time employment cannot give. Economic globalization, off-shoring, outsourcing and the web paved the way even for micro and small entrepreneurs to go global.  Just tap your skill and strength,  find a need, offer a solution and convince the market that you got something that they need. Its easier said, but can it be done?

It’s been 3 months since I started my journey as a micro entrepreneur,  there are a handful of  things to unlearn and so many new lessons to discover. Please allow me to share some of my realizations thus far.

Micro entrepreneurship is not about

1. Less work– unlike in my former life where I got lots of people to delegate work with. Well, not anymore.
2. Less pressure– as an employee, you can slow down but salary is still coming at the expected pay-out. As a micro entrepreneur, no productive output = no income
3. Playing hard ball– as an executive, I can play hard ball with colleagues, but as a micro entrepreneur, I need to invest on goodwill.
4. Working at home —  but working mobile
5. Flexi time– because entrepreneurs work 24/7
6. Sales– it’s about the all things
7. Networking– it’s about relationship
8. Specialization– it’s about diversification. You don’t know what area will give you revenue
9. Meeting  a need– because entrepreneurship is about making a need known
10. Risks– but about faith. Believe on yourself and your conviction

My journey to entrepreneurship is no walk in the park but fun. Need lot’s of prayers to look beyond the difficulties and regular shots of faith to be courageous. Until my next learning update…