Is starting/owning a busienss anything like driving a racecar?

**jb15** · 09-21-2011 03:47 PM

My first career aspiration was to be a racecar driver. I know realize I need to do something else, but as I look into other options I try understand how close that career is to racecar driving.

This is what (I think) I like about racecar driving:

Competition--Victory is my #1 motivation
Speed--I love speed--faster, faster, faster!
High-stake and high-pressure decision making, at lightspeed

Entrepreneurship and racecar driving--I think they're similar--but I've never ever heard the two related to one another. And I've read a ton about business!
A TON.

My question to you all: Is starting/owning a business anything like driving a racecar? If so, in what ways?

**Mega B** · 09-21-2011 05:24 PM

As i have never driven a racing car i cannot commrnt really.

**CGM** · 09-21-2011 08:05 PM

Is an apple like an orange? Is a cat like a toaster? While there may be similar qualities neither is ever truly like the other.

You're competitive, that's good. But you shouldn't always try to compete with industry leaders, sometimes thats a recipe for failure as they offer their product and service in a way that is sustainable for them, but it may not be sustainable for you. And while speed and fast growth is great, you don't want too much speed or growth because you'll wake up one morning and think, "Oh god, i've created a monster. I can't sleep, I can't eat, it's work work work". I prefer steady and predictable growth, it's easier to plan for. In regards to fast decision making, you'll likely find that come into play with most businesses. Maybe not on a day to day, but when things go wrong (And they will at some point, I don't think any business has operated without atleast one 'oh sh*t!' moment) you'll be better off if you can react to the situation fast and intuitively.

What sort of business are you interested in?

Oh, and welcome to YE!

**jb15** · 09-22-2011 07:47 AM

Thanks. Those are some really good thoughts CGM.

I'm not interested in one specific business--I'm planning on making entrepreneurship my career, so I expect I'll have many, many businesses over the course of my lifetime. I've done some buying, repairing and reselling ipods and laptops on ebay--as well as selling custom LEGO minifigures. Recently I bought a mac mini and I'm working on making iOS apps. No money yet (worth speaking of) but maybe someday.

**jb15** · 09-22-2011 07:54 AM

Oh--and Mega B, I've actually never driven a racecar myself. In fact, I just barely started driving with my learners permit!

I'm interested in assumptions too--what I mean is, I'm trying to figure why I think I would like racecar driving, and why I think entrepreneurship is similar.

**VastyleProductions** · 09-22-2011 12:03 PM

Originally Posted by jb15

Competition--Victory is my #1 motivation
Speed--I love speed--faster, faster, faster!
High-stake and high-pressure decision making, at lightspeed

Entrepreneurship and racecar driving--I think they're similar--but I've never ever heard the two related to one another. And I've read a ton about business!
A TON.

My question to you all: Is starting/owning a business anything like driving a racecar? If so, in what ways?

That's a pretty good way of thinking about it! I am sure everyone wants to be number one, but as for the speed part...slow and steady wins the race....gotta take your time and have patience, thats the only difference