My Reasons for Self-Employment (Part 1)

This will–obviously by the title–be a multi-part series. I haven’t pre-written, so I can’t yet say how many parts. Except to say more than one.

I have a lot of reasons why I went to work for myself.

Here’s one: to teach my kids that there is an alternative to what’s being presented “out there”.

Interestingly enough, it’s also a factor of why we homeschool, but let’s not stray too far here.

What I mean by this, is that if you take a closer look at society, it tells this storyline: you go to school, then college (maybe), then you get a job. In fact, it could be argued that one of the main reasons for school (in the general sense) is to prepare people for work.

But here’s one of the many problems: in this state–and likely everywhere in this country–the employment laws and standards are all geared to the employers. For example, take non-compete/non-solicit agreements that many employers have employees sign: it limits what the employee can do after employment. Limits on the employer? No, don’t be silly. But that’s just one little example.

How about being a salaried employee? The expectation is that you are available 24/7 (if you look at your employment contract), with no additional pay. So while that salary might looks good at 40hrs…how does it look when you’re working 60 or 80hrs?

Think about the unwritten rules (ok, some companies have actual policies now) about leaving the company: you, as the peon worker, are expected to give 2 weeks’ notice, or sometimes more. The company, however, can fire you at will. Or lay you off at will. Or find ways of cheating you out of that commission or bonus.

Sure, there is a chance you could find and work for a great company where these aren’t issues. They do exist…some are my clients. If so, that’s awesome. The other option is to just bypass that altogether, and become the boss. That is what I want my kids to grow up knowing.

Just don’t use the word entrepreneur.  That’ll be another post…hate that word.

This will–obviously by the title–be a multi-part series. I haven’t pre-written, so I can’t yet say how many parts. Except to say more than one. I have a lot of reasons why I went to work for myself. Here’s one: to teach my kids that there is an alternative to what’s being presented “out there”.…