Damon Dash made quite a buzz on the Breakfast Club when he challenged everyone to be their own boss. Most of what he said was on point but it deeper than just, “not wanting to call another man boss.”
There are 3 big things I would like everyone to think about here.
1. Don’t’ feel “guilty” if you aren’t the type to start and run your own business. It doesn’t make you less of a man or a bad example for your children. Millions of people have the mental stamina to push themselves through undergrad, post grad, and PHD programs just to make sure they can reach the highest levels in their preferred careers. That’s something to be proud of. What you can do is make sure you “invest smartly” in local/national businesses and real-estate. “Smart investing” can lead to assets that can be passed down to your children and your children’s children.
2. You really have to “know your personality” before you just jump out there into entrepreneur land. For example: I learned very early that I was the kind of person that couldn’t just do things for money not matter how much money it was.
I started a photography biz because I was passionate about photography. I Kickstarted a t-shirt line because I was passionate about the message I was trying to convey. However- we are all not the same. I know folks who will take on any business opportunity as long as the profit margin is there. On the other hand I’ve known a few men who’ve started landscaping businesses only to find out they hate landscaping; thus the business failed. You have to know yourself.
3. You can do both! I know some super successful entrepreneurs that still contract themselves out to various firms. I know mildly successful entrepreneurs that hold on to part-time jobs and I know full time folks who make more from the business than the day job. It’s “your world” and you can structure in how you want it. Hec; Magic Johnson has millions and millions but still takes time to be a commentator on TNT.
4. Lastly- it’s not a damn thing wrong with being a blue collar man/woman. I come from a city (Detroit) where our parents and grandparents worked 30 plus years for the auto motive manufactures. They bought cars, houses, stocks, paid for weddings, college tuitions, and family vacations with their earnings and savings. Some folks started side businesses or jump started businesses for their children. There is still, and will always be a lot of “pride” in that. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.