9 out of 10 Entrepreneurs #1 Reason

33 replies
In a 1999 Lou Harris Survey, 9 out of 10 entrepreneurs said a desire for independence prompted them to become entrepreneurs. Money was the main driver for very few small entrepreneurs and self-employed people.

A lifestyle entrepreneur has a fierce desire for independence.
They desire to work for themselves and run a business that is aligned with their lifestyle. What's your story?

Karen
@KAIZENCoach
#alignment #entrepreneurs #independence #lifestyle #motivation #reason
  • Profile picture of the author greenowl123
    That is my main motivator also... not so much the money.
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    • Profile picture of the author Cataclysm1987
      Honestly, if I could have a job like IM where I could work from home regularly and the most money I make is 40k a year and I don't have to commute or have a douche bag boss? That would be plenty for me!

      Still working on it.
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  • Profile picture of the author StackThatMoney
    I'd say this is almost always true for some of the largest companies in the world. They're companies are so successful not because they wanted to make money, but because they wanted to make an awesome product!
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    • Profile picture of the author Brock Henry
      That survey rings true with me for sure.
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  • Profile picture of the author williamrs
    I got started with internet marketing not because of the money )of course it's good, too!). What made me want to become a full-time internet marketer was the freedom. No boos, no company, no time to wake up, time to spend with friends and family, freedom to travel to wherever I want whenever I want, etc... IMO, freedom is more important than money.


    William
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  • Profile picture of the author KC-Coop
    I think that every entrepreneur has several reasons for doing what they do.

    For me - it's just who I am. Starting businesses is what I love. Waking up every morning ready to get to work - for the love of what you do - is like nothing else in the world.

    I'd say that loving what I do, being in control of my own destiny, freedom and money are all reasons that I do what I do.
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  • Profile picture of the author KaizenCoach
    Great responses... thanks for adding to the conversation!
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  • Profile picture of the author Brad Gosse
    Freedom is worth far more than money. Time freedom and freedom from bosses.

    My worst day as an entrepreneur beats my best day as an employee.
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    • Profile picture of the author naruq
      The Desire for Independence was one of my main motivating factors for becoming an entrepreneur.
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    • Profile picture of the author TK1
      Originally Posted by Brad Gosse View Post

      Freedom is worth far more than money.
      This is the sentence that made me a millionaire in the last 10 years, mate!

      People who're hunting for money will always fail.

      Because:

      Either you never make some or you give up because results are not as the money that was promised to you occur.

      OR:

      IF you make some money actualy you will spend it on material stuff, because people who hunt for money are hunters for superficial stuff, too, most of the time. Ever heard of the saying "Money can be prison?"

      I have many people in my business field that make TONS of money, but they are never happy, and I have multi-millionaires who are multi-millions in debt, too. They have and earn money, but they are so focused on taking more and more risks they can't find sleep.

      The movie Boiler Room has some nice quotes on this. One guy says "I have a yellow Ferrari, I have a huge house, AND I'm SOLVENT. A lot of those Italians make 100,000 a year and drive a Porsche, but they can't buy gas for it, because they're even more in debt."

      FREEDOM IS WORTH MORE THAN MONEY.

      TK
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      • Profile picture of the author Kenster
        Originally Posted by TK1 View Post

        This is the sentence that made me a millionaire in the last 10 years, mate!

        People who're hunting for money will always fail.

        Because:

        Either you never make some or you give up because results are not as the money that was promised to you occur.

        OR:

        IF you make some money actualy you will spend it on material stuff, because people who hunt for money are hunters for superficial stuff, too, most of the time. Ever heard of the saying "Money can be prison?"

        I have many people in my business field that make TONS of money, but they are never happy, and I have multi-millionaires who are multi-millions in debt, too. They have and earn money, but they are so focused on taking more and more risks they can't find sleep.

        The movie Boiler Room has some nice quotes on this. One guy says "I have a yellow Ferrari, I have a huge house, AND I'm SOLVENT. A lot of those Italians make 100,000 a year and drive a Porsche, but they can't buy gas for it, because they're even more in debt."

        FREEDOM IS WORTH MORE THAN MONEY.

        TK

        Couldnt have said it better myself!
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        • Profile picture of the author TK1
          Originally Posted by Kenster View Post

          Couldnt have said it better myself!
          Thanks mate!
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  • Profile picture of the author JustinP
    I was a corporate employee with great salary, benefits and all the trappings of a cushy lifestyle. I walked away from all of it at the end of 2007 to become a full time entrepreneur.

    Was money a factor? Sure... I knew that I could earn way more as a business owner than I ever could as an employee. I also knew the odds were stacked heavily AGAINST me reaching my mark.

    I became an entrepreneur to make something of my life. To live on the edge in the face of fear. The reason I didn't quit my job sooner was because I was SOFT and SPOILED. My life had been pretty easy up to that point.

    The last 3 years have been extremely challenging and I have had to work insane hours. But I'm OK with that because it is developing my character. I am overcoming all of my fears as an entrepreneur and setting an example that I BELIEVE is a good one for my children.... to be self sufficient no matter how the odds may stack up against you
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  • Profile picture of the author bannersignsexpress
    Banned
    I've always hate the fact I work for someone. I'm very independent and depend on my own. That's one of the reasons why I think I'll be an entrepreneur one day..
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    • Profile picture of the author birdman87
      If there was one simple easy to sum up way of explaining why I'm doing this it would be exactly that reason. People have massively varying plans for the lifestyle they want to align for, it's the people that value that kind of lifestyle design at such a fundamental level that become entrepreneurs. I may end up an humble backpacker, international party animal, musician, family man or some kind of spiritual nomadic monk lifestyle i don't know. Perhaps I'll do a bit of everything along my journey but what's important is that I can follow my hearts desire.

      I've never quite understood the whole thing about making what you love doing your financial career. It would ruin and make stale the thing i love if i had to make my livelihood from it. I want to do it just because it feels right. Richness is about freedom financially, but also freedom of where, when, how etc.

      If any of you havn't read 'the four hour work week' then read it because it is truly a magnificent book!
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  • Profile picture of the author humbledmarket
    Banned
    Personalyl for me it's a mix of both. It'll be a lie if you weren't in it for the money as well. I mean you got to make a living and being self employed you still have to be self paid right so you'll still be going for the money.

    The thing is money is not my priority; far from it. But in all honestly I would desire to make $1000s if I could.
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  • Profile picture of the author KaizenCoach
    LOVE THIS! Thanks to everyone for sharing!

    May need to turn this into something and quote y'all Karen
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  • Profile picture of the author Kenster
    Originally Posted by KaizenCoach View Post

    In a 1999 Lou Harris Survey, 9 out of 10 entrepreneurs said a desire for independence prompted them to become entrepreneurs. Money was the main driver for very few small entrepreneurs and self-employed people.

    A lifestyle entrepreneur has a fierce desire for independence.
    They desire to work for themselves and run a business that is aligned with their lifestyle. What's your story?

    Karen
    @KAIZENCoach

    Hi Karen --


    One of my passions in life is the study and pursuit of entrepreneurship...

    Most very successful entrepreneurs didnt have a pot of gold at the end of their dream, they had a mindset. Entrepreneurs are independent and like the feeling of success, not necessarily the money of success. For example, an entrepreneurial person who starts a non-profit sucessfully feels just as satisfied and fulfilled entrepreneurally as somebody who build an internet empire.


    Now, what people get confused about is that though money may not be whats the core driver of entrepreneurs, it DOES almost always play a very important role.

    For one, money is often a metric of success within many businesses. Its not the actual 10 million bucks that makes the true entrepreneur giddy, its the fact that 10 million represents a very successful venture!

    Money is important but normally isnt the core driver of why entrepreneurs do what they do. Remember, entrepreneurs normally sacrifice more than others as well. Many people forget the flip side of entrepreneurship!


    ~ken
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    • Profile picture of the author Joe Benjamin
      Originally Posted by Kenster View Post

      Hi Karen --


      One of my passions in life is the study and pursuit of entrepreneurship...

      Most very successful entrepreneurs didnt have a pot of gold at the end of their dream, they had a mindset. Entrepreneurs are independent and like the feeling of success, not necessarily the money of success. For example, an entrepreneurial person who starts a non-profit sucessfully feels just as satisfied and fulfilled entrepreneurally as somebody who build an internet empire.


      Now, what people get confused about is that though money may not be whats the core driver of entrepreneurs, it DOES almost always play a very important role.

      For one, money is often a metric of success within many businesses. Its not the actual 10 million bucks that makes the true entrepreneur giddy, its the fact that 10 million represents a very successful venture!

      Money is important but normally isnt the core driver of why entrepreneurs do what they do. Remember, entrepreneurs normally sacrifice more than others as well. Many people forget the flip side of entrepreneurship!


      ~ken
      Amazing. You put in words the feelings I felt this morning
      when I finally reached $30 a day on auto-pilot with online
      marketing.

      Personally, I took on entrepreneurship not for the money,
      but for the person I would become in achieving success.

      As you said, money's important as a barometer on how
      well you run business and how many people you serve or
      help.

      It feels better knowing I helped someone else reach their
      goals or solved a problem because of my products or
      services. In a way, I know I'm contributing something big
      to society and most importantly...contributing something
      to my soul.

      Truth is that I have plenty of money.

      More money is not a goal I strive for anymore, instead it's
      "how far can I go?". How far I go determines the person I
      become by facing my fears and meeting those challenges...

      and when I successfully face those challenges and beat it
      head on, I make more money. It comes with entrepreneur-
      ship...and money allows me to have even MORE fun doing
      things normal people can't do without money.

      -- Learn Magic. Play the guitar. Vacations. Backpacking.
      Extreme Sports. More time. Etc.

      Thank you for putting it in that way. As a successful online
      entrepreneur yourself, you really do "Get it".
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      • Profile picture of the author Kenster
        Originally Posted by WhoIsBenjamin View Post

        Amazing. You put in words the feelings I felt this morning
        when I finally reached $30 a day on auto-pilot with online
        marketing.

        Personally, I took on entrepreneurship not for the money,
        but for the person I would become in achieving success.

        As you said, money's important as a barometer on how
        well you run business and how many people you serve or
        help.

        It feels better knowing I helped someone else reach their
        goals or solved a problem because of my products or
        services. In a way, I know I'm contributing something big
        to society and most importantly...contributing something
        to my soul.

        Truth is that I have plenty of money.

        More money is not a goal I strive for anymore, instead it's
        "how far can I go?". How far I go determines the person I
        become by facing my fears and meeting those challenges...

        and when I successfully face those challenges and beat it
        head on, I make more money. It comes with entrepreneur-
        ship...and money allows me to have even MORE fun doing
        things normal people can't do without money.

        -- Learn Magic. Play the guitar. Vacations. Backpacking.
        Extreme Sports. More time. Etc.

        Thank you for putting it in that way. As a successful online
        entrepreneur yourself, you really do "Get it".

        Thank you for the kind words my entrepreneurial friend.


        You are absolutely correct, I look at my stats and my bank account every single day as its a "barometer" as to how well I have been implementing my entrepreneurial visions.

        Every venture I pursue I truly belive provides trmendous value so the more money I have, the more successful I have been at distributing and communicating that value to others. Money is the barometer, not the ultimate goal.

        I think entrepreneurs sometimes have a bad reputation for being money hungry, without people understand what money really means to most entrepreneurs. More than anything, it means their hard work, dedication, persistence, and normally grueling journey is paying off. Money is just a byproduct of the personal satisfaction an entrepreneur feels when they successful create something.


        I think I am just rambling at this point so I will stop


        ~Ken
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  • Profile picture of the author rockstaradi
    I am still working on to make a story for myself. Will tell it someday ... the day is nearby
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  • There are many motivators for me... Money can help me to achieve my goals. Job is slavery... I do not want to have a job... I want to build a successful business systems.

    Let me conclude. Top 3 reasons why I want to be (a successful) entrepreneur:

    1. Freedom. From job...
    2. Challenge, Excitement
    3. Money, definitely
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  • Profile picture of the author Johnpeigh
    The truth is in my opinion is it doesn't matter how many zeros you have in the bank or cars in the garage it doesn't make you feel any different than you did when you had nothing. It's what you did to achieve that success which makes you the person you are. This is what I have come to realise over the last couple of years.
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  • Profile picture of the author wcmylife
    Absolutely true - after a point, the zero's in the bank account become just what they are numbers - it's the freedom, lifestyle and independence that you are doing it on your own without having to rely on a job...bless God for it
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    • Profile picture of the author Kenster
      Originally Posted by wcmylife View Post

      Absolutely true - after a point, the zero's in the bank account become just what they are numbers - it's the freedom, lifestyle and independence that you are doing it on your own without having to rely on a job...bless God for it

      FREEDOM AND FLEXIBILITY

      that's what it's about. Most millionaires and billionaires work very hard even after they have achieved fortunes...but they have freedom and flexibility and that it ultimate!


      Its a whole different mindset and lifestyle when you are working because you want to than working because you have to. Even if you are working the same amount of hours, its still completely different
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  • Profile picture of the author Spradle
    All I want is money. Just like everyone else. It doesn't even have to be that much money, just enough to get me through my bills
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  • Profile picture of the author Tony Tikos
    These are my reasons.



    1. I want to have more control of my finances. If I work for someone else, more hard work on my part doesn't necessarily mean more compensation. And even when it does, unfortunately, it might not be what I deserve for the work I do. I want my income to be proportionate to my work. If I work hard at my own business, I will see direct benefits.
    2. I want to have more control of my time. Vacation time, sick time, don't feel like working time, talk to my Dr. on the phone time, whatever time I need, I want to be able to decide when the time is. I know how much to work to feed my family and, quite frankly, I don't like others telling me how to use the balance of my time.
    3. Leaving my home every day to go to a place of employment isn't enjoyable to me. I have to get up early, bear whatever weather might be outside, deal with traffic and deal with the employees might be in the office. All of this adds up to daily aggravation that I can do without. At my home, there is basically only the aggravation that I allow.
    Life obviously doesn't become perfect when you work totally work from home. But it surely can become more of what you want, and less than what you're forced to deal with.
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  • Profile picture of the author BloggerDeen
    Survey results are very much true.
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  • Profile picture of the author mookes
    Originally Posted by KaizenCoach View Post

    In a 1999 Lou Harris Survey, 9 out of 10 entrepreneurs said a desire for independence prompted them to become entrepreneurs. Money was the main driver for very few small entrepreneurs and self-employed people.

    A lifestyle entrepreneur has a fierce desire for independence.
    They desire to work for themselves and run a business that is aligned with their lifestyle. What's your story?

    Karen
    @KAIZENCoach
    desire for independence, highly motivated about money and huge ambitious is the key for successfull entrepreneurs
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  • Profile picture of the author DIGITALCHAMELEON
    Indeed in all aspect of entrepreneurship, money is the main driver.
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  • Profile picture of the author HaydenR
    Originally Posted by KaizenCoach View Post

    In a 1999 Lou Harris Survey, 9 out of 10 entrepreneurs said a desire for independence prompted them to become entrepreneurs. Money was the main driver for very few small entrepreneurs and self-employed people.

    A lifestyle entrepreneur has a fierce desire for independence.
    They desire to work for themselves and run a business that is aligned with their lifestyle. What's your story?

    Karen
    @KAIZENCoach
    Wow.. this is spot on. I know for a fact that money really is the secondary reason for doing all this.. it's my desire to be free that drives me not money.. glad to see there are many others who see it the same way.
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  • Profile picture of the author JustinDupre
    Nice post! Freedom and independence is huge for me. Definitely great mindset to become an entrepreneur.
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  • Profile picture of the author betandforget
    Having money allows us freedom, and thats what I am striving for.
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