Being Your Own Boss – And Other Perks

In 2005, Forbes Magazine listed Bill Gates’ net worth at $46.5 billion, and Oprah Winfrey’s as $1.3 billion. As you can see, there can be a pretty big “upside" to owning your own business, such as:

1. You will be your own boss.
2. Hard work and long hours directly benefit you, rather than an employer.
3. Earning and growth potential are far greater.
4. A new venture is risky, but it is also exciting.
5. Running a business provides endless challenge and opportunities for learning.

Of course, just as with anything else, where there’s an upside, there’s also a downside:

1. You could fail.
2. You will face obstacles along the way.
3. It can be lonely or even a little bit scary to be completely responsible for your company’s success or failure.
4. You are not guaranteed a set salary or benefits.
5. You will have to work long hours to get your business off the ground.

So, do you think you have what it takes to be your own boss? Are you persistent? Curious? Do you see problems as challenges? Follow this link to the website of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to read more about getting started in business. It will give you a better idea of whether you fit the bill as an entrepreneur:

http://www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/plan/getready/index.html*

As you read the section titled, Is Entrepreneurship For You?, you may want to take notes. Click the link below to download a worksheet based on this article. If you are taking this course for a grade or for credit, you will turn in this assignment to your advisor or teacher.

Download Worksheet 2: SBA Summary Form

This is a fill-in PDF form. You may either print the form and hand write the answers, or type your answers into the form and print. (Unless you have Adobe Acrobat on your machine, you will not be able to save your responses.)

After you have completed your form, click the race car to continue

©2007 Business Professionals of America. All rights reserved
*The SBA has periodically moved this document within its Web site. If the link is broken, a search for "Is Entrepreneurship for You" will find it.