FOR some time now I have been reading a small advert in our newspaper saying, “If you don’t build your dream someone will hire you to help build theirs.” A wise man once said, “Most people are too busy earning a living to make any money.”
It rekindled my mind on something else and that is when I saw in my mind’s eye a new breed of Namibian workers poised to take over the marketplace.
Empowered and independent, this new breed is also a hybrid entrepreneur, who controls his or her own schedule, land, clients and maintains office space. On top of that, these entrepreneurs rake in more cash than traditional in-house employees. As young as they are, they serve on various boards of multiple companies.
Who can blame them for wanting to break away from the cubicle to start their own ventures. Many of us would love to launch a business and become our own boss, but the thought of leaving a steady job for an unpredictable life of an entrepreneur could be frightening.
Some of us are just born to lead and the thought of working an entire career under other people’s visions holds no appeal.
To me, these young people that I can mention by name are our future oil barons, those sitting with exploration licences and fishing rights and those that rule the media empires, and some banking moguls.
If these youngsters are certain they can accomplish more for their careers by being their own bosses, then it’s probably time to say “goodluck” to them.
I however also dream of becoming an entrepreneur but things did not turn out as they should. For starters, my age counts against me as my bank does not want to extend that loan that I need to fulfil my dreams due to the high risk involved. Which risk, I asked myself.
Secondly my passion for growing my own rice along the mighty Zambezi River was shot down by another bank that promises inspiring minds to live a dream if the proposal on any project is good and viable.
I thought my proposal was excellent but it seems it turned out that my proposal hit the shelves and now I have to make peace with it.
Thirdly, my good old buddy says becoming a rice growing farmer is a huge professional decision.
He advised me that as I’m currently employed it will be to my benefit and interest to stay in my traditional position. He said that before I make such a big decision or commitment, I have to do some research on industry practices, weigh all the factors, including pay, commutes, personal time and insurance costs.
I don’t want to go against his advice, but I want to tell him that if one doesn’t take a chance one will never know the extent of that dream.
But in sharing my future plans with my doctor friend, he said all jobs are stressful and that nothing is more important than one’s health.
He said if the current job is tough to lead a normal and productive life, and if it’s taking its toll on my body, mind and relationship, it may be time to quit. But for me, I’m still spirited and eager to learn.
What I want to tell this new breed of entrepreneurs is that if you have an unshakable need to be your own boss, it’s time to start thinking of what that would look like.
But don’t quit your job based on the excitement of your own imagination.
Sure, you’d have control over business decisions, goals and strategies, but you’d also be responsible for your own survival as well as that of your potential employees, and only few people can shoulder that type of pressure.
However, if that is something you are comfortable with and can handle, and you desire more control over your career, then leaving your current job to work for yourself is definitely something to consider.
frhodes@newera.com.na