In my previous job as a researcher and consultant to small and medium businesses, I knew that most of the entrepreneurs’ business orginated from a hobby. Much as I wanted to be an entrepreneur, I didn’t have the guts or the hobby. Sure, I had the management skills. Ten years ago, I discovered the internet and web design. It was a whole new world and I got obsessed with it. Reading this article Accidental Tech Entrepreneurs Turn Their Hobbies Into Livelihoods made me smile. Basically, the article reveals some of the common features from its interview of 5 accidental tech Enterpreneurs:
1. They all possess [tag]Information Technology[/tag] backgrounds
2. They all were in the right place at the right time with the right product/service
3 They have supportive people around them (i.e. life and business partners)
4 They all faced a moment of truth, when they had to screw up courage and stake their financial futures on their new businesses.
5. They all are a little obsessed
The 5 common traits are so true. I don’t earn as much as these interviewed tech pros but being an accidental [tag]Tech enterpreneur[/tag] has given me financial freedom. At the age of 45, I wanted to enter back in the corporate world. Alas, I was not in touch with the latest economic policies. Of course, I didn’t expect a high starting salary but the offers were just a pittance. Sales is not my cup of tea either. So I was left with ways on how to start a business. But what? I’ve already told you how I entered into the IT business. I’d just like to list down how the 5 common traits of the Tech Entrepreneur applies to me:
1. They all possess Information Technology (IT) backgrounds– My IT background was all from self-study. It helped that I was exposed to micro-computers when it first came out in 1979.
2. They all were in the right place at the right time with the right product/service– I was fortunate in the sense that my daughter had quite an internet presence in the early 2000 and the presence of a popular community helped promote sales.
3. They have supportive people around them (i.e. life and business partners)– My husband used to say “Since you’re always at the computer, find out if you can enter into some sort of business.” My husband is quite a marketing man and he’s also helped me in the strategies.
4.They all faced a moment of truth, when they had to screw up courage and stake their financial futures on their new businesses. – When I took over my daughter’s business, I didn’t have the guts to invest in new servers. My husband gave me encouraging and loving words. Then the supplier of the server said “if you have ___ number of customers, you will be able to duplicate that in one year. Both of them were right! I just needed the confidence to bite the bullet.
5. They all are a little obsessed– To succeed, accidental entrepreneurs need a bit of obsessiveness: “It doesn’t ever go away,” Heather Armstrong says. “Some people can walk away from their jobs, but my job follows me into bed at night.” It’s awful how obsessive I can get. I think I have an Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. I used to sleep at past midnight because I was too engrossed with work. Whenever I am alone at home, I work like mad because I know when the kids and hubby arrive, I have to be there to attend to their needs. I’ve also learned that sitting on the computer chair is unhealthy. That’s why I go to the gym two hours a day.
The fun is in seeing my small investment grow and being happy for whatever comes my way. Do you see yourself as an [tag]entrepreneur[/tag] ?
One day I will have a business of my own. Like you, I need courage to actually invest in it.
It’s a start that you actually think of going into business. College teaches us the employee-mentality. I know it’s hard to venture into business but when there is an opportunity, grab it.