Own Your Own Business

Owning your own business is the new American Dream. Think about it... Doesn't everyone want to control both their time and their income? The business owner typically makes the most money, not the employee. Which one of them is in control? Is it the one who has ownership, or the one who simply shows up, follows the rules, and performs? Americans want to be in control, that’s why our great grandparents came to this country... for Freedom! Most Americans want their own business, they just need the right vehicle, coaching, and encouragement to build it.

To be successful as an entrepreneur, the correct mindset is required, however it is not taught in our current educational system. Our schools were designed to churn out good employees, who follow the rules and memorize temporary information to pass a test. Our children are not taught that it’s ok to fail in order to learn a lesson. The school system is teaching children to avoid failure at all costs, and they’ll get a good job and everything will be alright in the world. The problem is that this thinking will not build a successful company. If you want to build assets, you have to readjust your thinking and perspective. Entrepreneurs need to know that you must pass through failure, lots of times, to reach success. Failure is simply part of the process, and the most successful business owners welcome failure, because they know that success is right around the corner.

Throughout our lives we are bombarded with the concept of “go to school, get good grades and you’ll get a great job, and all of your dreams will come true.” Does that still work? Are people really accomplishing their dreams through their 9 to 5? Or are they just getting by, paying the bills, and living scared because they are one illness, accident, or company downsizing away from being in a financial mess. Go to school, work hard and you’ll make it, however the writing is on the wall, the system that worked for our parents is broken.

We are also told to not “put all of our eggs in one basket”. We are told at a young age to diversify and create another basket of income, outside of our job. So why do friends and family members give their "loved one" a hard time about stepping out, having a dream, and pursuing a business of their own to make it happen? I’ve seen it time and time again, that at first the entrepreneur is laughed at, then watched from afar, then finally admired when they succeed. Hey friends and family... wouldn’t it be best to encourage entrepreneurship from the start, especially if it’s someone close to you chasing their dream? Especially if you love them? But stepping out of the crowd and rising up takes away the excuses from those who are too fearful. Attacking your dream shines a light on the mediocre future most people have. If you want to win in life, you need to find winners who will lift you up, encourage you, and believe in you. When you find a group who will do that for you, lock hands and run with them!

Robert Kiyosaki has written many bestselling books. He is the ultimate entrepreneur, making his millions through various startups, real estate companies, oil companies, success books and lectures. He describes big business owners as those who leverage their time and income through multiple outlets. Creating multiple streams of income creates time, money and lifestyle for the owner. The main drawback to traditional business is that there is a huge capital investment. The overhead alone stops would be entrepreneurs in their tracks. But what if there was a way to leverage the internet, social media, and start a business with limited investment and overhead. What if you could take advantage of the information age, and capitalize on the level playing field that the internet has created. Would you take advantage of that sort of business? Even if your friends or family weren’t supportive? Because successful entrepreneurs have a vision, something that will carry them through challenges, and lift them to victory.

We are seeing wealth created at a staggering pace. Companies we grew up loving being totally wiped out because of not keeping up with the times. Do you remember Friday nights, going to Blockbuster for an hour, picking out a movie with your significant other, going home and watching it? Picking out the movie was half the fun. But what happened to Blockbuster? That brick and mortar staple found in every American town was wiped off the map by an informational business. Netflix is now the new king of Friday nights #NetflixAndChill ;-)

How does the biggest transportation company in the world not own any vehicles? Because Uber is comprised of thousands of entrepreneur drivers. The geniuses who started Uber compounded their income through other entrepreneurs. How does the largest hospitality company in the world not own any properties? Because airbnb is built upon the entreprenur spirit of thousands of property owners. These businesses are disrupting industries, and taking over, but how? Because when you’re working in collaboration with other business owners, people who have skin in the game, they work harder, more efficiently, and we get more accomplished. If you've ever taken an Uber ride, or stayed at an airbnb location, those entrepreneurs take pride in their small business, and make sure you have the best experience possible. I’d much rather own a business that is comprised of entrepreneurs than employees, because business owners take more pride in what they do, and have a vested interest in success.

Wouldn't it be great to double your income in half the time it took to earn it? What if you could take an extended vacation and still earn income while you were away? That's lifestyle...that's living life, that's the new American Dream. Make it your mission to define what you want your life to look like, then find a coach who can walk you through the mine field to get there.

When I first met my mentor, he changed my thought process, and my future. He taught me about how to get started in business, and leverage these trends. Its time to get off the couch, and stop wondering "what if". Darren Hardy once said, "If you dont achieve your goals and dreams, its your own damn fault." Making the decision to take responsibility of your life, and pursuing your dreams, will make all the difference.