The thing that drives us

[StephenG]

I have quite a few friends and family members who either are or have been entrapanuers durring periods of their life. I am facinated most by the differences in what drives us to succeed and then what drives us to fail. I have seen both more than my share of times. Money has never been the driver for me. Building a well oiled money machine would be a better way to put it. I have always been facinated by the dynamics of a smooth running company. The dynamics that allow it to run at idol, and then the dynamics that allow it accelerate just as an engine can accelerate. I see building a business as a creative strategic and even artistic endeavor.
I like the way a business can make me feel about myself when things are going like they should be going. I like the feeling of having a positive impact on the lives of those around me wether it be customers or employees. I also like the way it feels when an idea or theory proves itself to be true often against the advice of well respected experts. I enjoy how business allows me to study human nature and conduct tiny social experiements as I go about my dailey life without anyone even being aware I am doing anything. I enjoy the confidence of knowing that I can make a business out of mosy anything I choose regardless if I know anything about it or not.
Most of all I think I enjoy the eccentric aspects of searching the world for that new undiscovered product, or that new market that know one has recognised yet. The nice thing about a business is that once you have taken it to a place where it know longer excites you and you find you are ready to move on you can simply sell it and use the money to finance your next venture. I just wish I could lean to appreciate money! Isn't money what this is really all about? Steve

[creditnet]

It's not always about the money. Most of the time, for me, it's about the ride. Money, if/when it comes, is just what enables you to live the dream!

[Encrypted]

It's not always about the money. Most of the time, for me, it's about the ride. Money, if/when it comes, is just what enables you to live the dream!

I agree. I'd take a successful/popular venture that doesn't make me anything, any day.

[SCJeff]

I don't want to own a business for the money, I only need enough money to live a comfortable life and support a family eventually, and if that comes from the business... great.

I kind of see business, or at least for me, as a child. I want to create it, nurture it, see it grow and prosper and eventually support itself. Its more the accomplishment of seeing that you've made something thats your own and seeing it running, as you said "like a well oiled machine" than any money that you might gain from a business...thats just a bonus

Jeff-

[JRRoss]

Personally I like to keep everything balanced and on the same level when it comes to what drives me. I'm talking about passion, money, the journey, goals, etc. That way I feel completely comfortable while paving my way to success.

[mtnjkwe]

You go for passion, money will follow later.

[StephenG]

Ballance is important and one area I have had to struggle with. I have always done a fairly good job of keeping it in check but I don't like to. I have often had to compensate for this by deligating things I should really be doing myself. I tend to think associates and employees should be as flexable and adapatable as I am and this has cost me a few times. Being a product of large corporate structures I have always had the attidude that if anyone including myself dies tomorrow the company should not miss a beat. Being expendable gives me the luxury of staying more in the passion, creative sales mode but also tends to let employees start thinking they are too important at times and in extreme cases has led to theft that I should have probably got on to sooner. Ballance is important no doubt. Steve

[Frosty]

hello everyone my names Alex age 15.

when it comes to business i am really crazy about retail. I just love selling. I remember once i bought a ten pack or some cables and sold them online the feeling was great , i was serving customers making sure the were happy 100% of the time i was packaging , dispatching and keeping track from the beginning to the end of every single deal. I enjoyed it so much i bought another 10 pack and successfully moved that on as well and wasn't even making much of a profit now realize the money which came with it a bonus.

im sure u guys can understand me right?

al

[allrelative]

i think it is the other way around for me.

I know the typ

[Frosty]

what do you mean by its the other way around is it mainly the money which motivates u/ after reading J Rs comment i think i can relate a lot to what he said as well.

[Kiwigirl]

What drives me, is the dream of not working for anyone. I hate working for people, flat-out hate it. If I can avoid it, I'll be happy, even if I'm not rich!

The satisfaction gained from creating money myself from my own ideas and work is so rewarding. It is actually extremely addictive. I will probably never feel satisfied working for someone, unfortunately. I also like the idea of a well-oiled machine, but I don't need to create it. I'd be happy to go out and buy a business thats already running great. The point for me, is I must OWN that well-oiled-money-machine.

[James D]

Steve

Thank you for a very insightful post

I have to agree that for me too, creating a well oiled machine is what I enjoy about business. My biggest reward comes from knowing that my well oiled machine is the source of income for many families.

I have started and owned several companies that employed numerous people and at night I felt good going to bed knowing I was helping others earn a decent honest living.

I sold several successful companies and learned that often times the people behind buying them would run them into the ground only a few short years later. They often did this by chasing money rather than simply keeping the gears properly oiled.