The Corporate Enigma: Employee or Entrepreneur ?

Doha, October 21st 2015

As I sit across the screen penning my thoughts for the first time, I would like to thank all those who have stood by me and encouraged me to write a blog.

Just so that there’s got to be a beginning, I would like to address the question in the mind of any working individual ‘Should I work at a big firm or should I venture out on my own into the unknown?’

Its a blurry scene ahead, and they say, now that I have arrived at this T-Junction, it is time to choose the path which will define who I am.

Well, my decision didn’t need much thinking. It came to me almost instantly. The fear of uncertainty does not seem to deter me from deciding to tread out on my own.

Aristotle Onassis, the Shipping tycoon, once said: ‘Never start a business, a battle, a love relationship, if the fear of losing is greater than the belief of winning’.

The most important trait a successful entrepreneur must possess is lack of fear and the heart to venture into the uncertainty with his head held high. Richard Branson, Founder of Virgin group, points out, when he knew that an idea had a potential, he would never look back and most importantly, never doubt. He knew that if the idea failed, he just had to try harder with another.

As I see it, going to the scene of the disaster is essential. You need to take ownership of the situation. And, more importantly, you need to be on hand to demonstrate your support for everyone involved – Richard Branson

So what makes the entrepreneur so special ? While employees clock 48-hour weeks giving their best for a company’s growth, entrepreneurs go a number of sleepless days and nights in order to achieve what they want. There are no fixed working hours, 2 AM on a Saturday night is as important as 9 AM on a Monday morning. Abandoning a truckload of research work or a family dinner midway for a prospective not-so-interested-in your-idea investor or client is one impulse an entrepreneur must live off every day.

The flip-side: You do not need to answer anyone when you call in sick suddenly or just don’t feel like working on any particular day.

When my employed friends tell me they earn a 6 digit paycheck every year, I’m happy for them. Coming to the most important question of this debate, how much does an entrepreneur earn per month? Anything between 0 to hundreds of trillions, sky is the limit. Sometimes, the failure of a business venture can make deep inroads in your almost non-existent savings. The 1st of every month marks happiness on all of the employees faces, while it dawns a different mood for the entrepreneur: taxes, salaries, rents, supplies, etc. are the source of his worries.

Then again, its all worth it because nothing beats the satisfaction of seeing those contended customers and employees.

Satisfaction lies in the effort, not in the attainment, full effort is full victory – Mahatma Gandhi

While it is a good idea to be an entrepreneur, I feel it could help one start with a professional career and then turn towards pursuing their entrepreneurial dreams!