It's true when they say that no one is going to be as excited about or believe in your venture as you are. I can attest to this well known fact and I could direct you to at least ten other fellow social entrepreneurs that could.
As the Nike (or is it Adidas?) tv ad questions: Is it for Love or Money? Anti-corporates- the ones that hate the for-profit entities for their "greed" and "selfishness" might say that if you are making a profit, you are in it for the money. I am not in complete agreement.
I spent years in the for-profit world working with startups, publishers, investment banks, and new media companies. I can tell you that the love of what money could bring wasn't even close to being enough of a motivator to keep me at any of those companies for very long. I needed something more- to give back, to be challenged, to sleep at night, to start something that could be big and meaningful- those were the reasons I rolled out of bed and went to work. So, I guess at the time, it was for more than money, too.
With certainty, I know that the venture I have lauched is truly for love. My role is pretty much everything- just like every other entrepreneur on the planet. And yet, I would not want it any other way (the opportunity to do what I love, I mean).
A friend commented about how great it must be to roll out of bed whenever I want. It might be, though I would not really know. I think most entrepreneurs will say the same, unless 5 am is a dream time to wake up and work.
Launching out on your own is about a constant gut check concerning all the possible things that could go wrong. I can see why so many people dream of working for themselves and so few never make it happen. One week of being at the helm of the ship with few resources and a tiny to non-existent staff could make a person leap out of the window. And even when there is money, there is always the hand stretched far in front of your face reminding you that you need to pay up. Decisions and actions are always required and you can't chalk much up to just a bad day. Sweeping items under the rug will get you a quick trip to the "Out" door.
So, is it for Love or is it for Money? Money is Key, but Love is King.
God Bless,
-D
"Wisdom is better than weapons of war. . . "
Ecclesiastes 9:18
journey.x
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