If You Want A More Stable Job, Start A Business

As so many companies scratch their heads trying to figure out how to attract more loyal customers, most are unable to solve an even bigger problem:  how to attract more loyal employees. 

There is no such thing as a loyal employee anymore.  Unlike the world in which our parents grew up, ours is one in which a corporate job no longer means 30+ years of service and a gold watch at the end.  Loyalty these days is a few good years.

But it cuts both ways.  Companies aren't so loyal to employees either.  We live in a day and age when companies use layoffs to balance the books.  I've been there - I was once laid off after only being with the company for 6 weeks.  It's a scene we've all seen many times over.  Someone goes to work thinking that all was well, then are sent home the same day without a job. No performance issues. No warning. One day you've got a job, the next day you don't. This is what it means to have a "stable job" these days.

The irony is that starting a business, something with over a 90% chance of failure, is actually more stable. Where you can lose your job from one day to the next in the corporate world, if you start a business, you'll know months ahead of time if the end is nigh. It doesn't happen over night. Yes, an entrepreneurial venture is definitely more stable; what's missing is regularity. 

When you have a job (stability aside), you can count on getting a paycheck on a regular basis for the same amount each time.  Regardless of how the company does, you get paid.  Nice and regular. If you decide to start a business, however, you will be giving up that regularity. Some months are flush and some months are lean. Sometimes you know where new business can come from and sometimes you don't. Feast or famine is the name of the game in the short run. 

The reason most people don't start businesses, even though they are more stable, is because of the irregularity. The devil you know is better than the devil you don't. Not knowing, for most people, is debilitating.  We can all deal with good news, we can even deal with bad news. But not knowing is the hardest thing to deal with of all. The best entrepreneurs don't have to be the smartest. They don't need to have the best ideas or  management skills - I know some very smart, inspiring, big idea types with great management skills who work for corporations. Entrepreneurs are simply more comfortable with the unknown.

If you don't know what you're doing and you don't know how to fix every problem; if you don't know what will work and what won't; if you don't know who will help you and who will ignore you; if you don't know if you'll get paid this month and if you don't know what the future holds, start a business; you're perfectly qualified. Everyone else should find a less stable job.

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Comments

[business consultant]

I totally agree with you. Starting a business is actually a better idea. If you want a stable job, you should definitely consider starting one. Thanks.

[Soren Duus]

Starting your own business is a viable option for you to sustain yourself for a very long time. And what you've said was right. If something goes wrong, you'll know it ahead of time. It'll be a bumpy road, but it'll pay off in due time if all goes well.

[Raela Drigger]

That is wonderful. Indeed, the best way to become rich is to engage in business. People tend to fear this because they think it lacks the security of a well-established company. But small businesses are actually safe investments in the long run. Ask an expert about it and they will tell you that what you planted will eventually grow and give you back something.

[Carlene Schnitzer]

Business is a gamble. There is a chance that you will lose. And even if you are already earning, you have to manage your finances well. But if you're willing to take the chance, entrepreneurship is the best way to be financially stable all your life. Know all the risks, and if you are decided that you can take it all, then go for it.

[interracial]

Last night I was talking about this. The unpredictability of entrepreneurship.

[texas oncologist]

That's more like it. Having your own is much stable.

[Staci Burruel]

You shouldn't let that 90% chance of failure scare you in starting your own local business. If you really want to start one, you have to take that risk. There are a lot of tools that can help you in promoting your business. There's always the internet. If you have a good marketing planned already outlined beforehand, then it's better. Use all of the possible resources you can have. Always keep in touch with your customers. Make your business interesting!

[utah merchant accounts]

The whole system is indeed functional for many.

[football customized jerseys]

Fear can definitely prevent us from moving forward. The trick is to show people how to convert the fear into motivation and action.

[Start a Franchise]

This is post i am defiantly going to think about doing the same. Only i would like to possibly start a franchise.

[Supra Shoes]

Good job.No matter where we are, we must study all the way. As the proverb says that: You are never too old to learn. Thank you for your blog.

[investment costa rica]

A good business provides stability to the home and family. To have a good business is necessary to work very hard, with great effort and sacrifice, but the results will always be very good

[Volker from Germany]

Hi,
I randomly came on this side and would like to leave nice greetings. I would be glad if you visit my homepage also! Maybe you want to visit Sylt Westerland in Germany http://www.MeerblickSylt.de or the Baltic Sea http://www.OstseeblickHolm.de for vacation?! We have there very nice flats with a nice view. Maybe we'll see soon!
Kind regards

[generic cialis]

I am 17 years old and for 3 consecutive summers I worked through an agency called Hanac Youth Services. My actual work place, though, was at a hospital. The Hanac agency was where I got paid from though. So how do I include them both on my resume, because I was never working AT Hanac, I worked at the hospital. This may sound confusing. If i see any confused answers, I'll try to add more.

[Dougmetzgar]

Well stated. Like other commenters, I was laid off three years ago. Looked around, interviewed, identified a need and gave up the search to start a marketing consulting firm (http://www.meshworkmarketing.com).

But the chord you struck for me was predictability. I've worked hard to build my business. It has its ups and downs (and rising healthcare costs are another story), but like other commenters, I have some warning of what's not coming in over a month or two. It hasn't been easy. But it's better than getting laid off abruptly at the mercy of other decision makers.

I'm graduating with an MBA in May and my network regularly asks, "What's next?" with the undertone of, "When are you getting a real job?" I choose the creative class, entrepreneurialism, owning my own business, etc.

[Bryan]

This article is by far the best article I have read in a long time. Inspiring and well written, I wish to stand in the light of this article. Long live the entrepreneurs!

[Maxine Thompson]

I've been self-employed for 12 years and I love it--insecurity and all. I started as a self-published writer, an editor, then I became a literary agent.

Maxine Thompson

[WendyRae]

23 years ago I was staying at an unsatisfying job because at least it was secure... and then I was laid off. I started my own writing business and never looked back. I did find ways to make myself feel more secure w/ the ups and downs, though. I deposited a third of every check into savings for taxes and other expenses and 2/3 into checking. Then I paid myself a set "salary" every month. That way I was able to look at my checking account and know how many months I was good for. I no longer feel the need, but it helped in the beginning.

[MikeTek]

Last night I was talking about this. The unpredictability of entrepreneurship.

I've been running my own small web marketing shop since Oct 2008. Feast or famine is just the right way to describe it. I'll be busy for three months and then totally dead. The money in the bank fluctuates like crazy.

On the plus side, I really do know if I'm going under ahead of time - and having taken absolutely zero outside capital into this endeavor I have some pride in having gotten this far on good old elbow grease.

There are times I'm envious of the people I know who have steady jobs - but then I remember what it was like working in one. I much prefer not knowing.

[Kat Fulton]

Couldn't agree more! More comfortable with the unknown... definitely resonates with me. Great post.

[Term Papers]

I'm very thankful to the author for posting such an amazing post...

[jerry]

Brilliant post...... The mistake of stability is never more true than now......

[Laura Lee Bloor]

I really like the line, "The devil you know is better than the devil you don't know."

Fear can definitely prevent us from moving forward. The trick is to show people how to convert the fear into motivation and action.