Entrepreneur

What do you think of when someone says they are an entrepreneur?

Well, I can answer that for you. However, my answer is probably different than yours. The first time I heard the expression, I was a little confused. I thought entrepreneurs went around setting up businesses and would want something in return. A little like shark tank, I assumed.

I ever thought I’d be an entrepreneur one day. It was the farthest from my mind. I figured you needed lots of money to invest in a business to become one.

Now, back in the days when I worked for a company, I thought I had it made. Paycheck every week health-care and paid vacations. I had to be up by 5:00 am six days a week. Go to a large factory with loud machines running. Few had good heat or air conditioning. One didn’t even have any windows. I started at dark and ended my shift at dark. I made a reasonable living.

However, things changed for me in 2006 . I won’t get into the details, but we had kids, and I needed a different lifestyle to care for them. What would I do? What could I do?

I knew that if I wanted to have a flexible schedule, I couldn’t work full time. I put in hundreds of resumes, but nobody wanted to hire me.

I decided that going back to school was a solution, at least temporarily. Student loans made it possible to pay for daycare and get me through until my children could attend school. There are student grants for single parents to return to school that cut my loans in half.

I choose computer science as my field of study. Basically, because it was my hobby and my entry test pointed me in that direction. I wasn’t sure I could balance school and my children, but I went in both feet.

I started my classes in January of 2009 part-time. I found that I wasn’t the only older adult enrolled in the technology program. This gave me relief that I wasn’t the only one making a life change. Although I was attending a local community college, I found the class information challenging.

I excelled at all my computer classes. However,French was a different story. No matter, I wasn’t there to learn French anyway. I made the presidents honor list every semester. That gave me a feeling I haven’t felt in years, pride.

I graduated with my class in 2012. About this time, I was looking for a job in my new field. Another student joined a franchise out of London Canada. I noticed that he wore their brand during class, and it drew a lot of attention.

Red, white, and black ! I asked many questions about who this Canada 🇨🇦 brand was and why they are in the USA 🇺🇸. I knew that this would be just what I needed to break into the computer repair services. I paid my fee, and the brand package 📦 arrived a few weeks later. I had to attend a training session before I could be considered a Nerd. The community of Nerds was a good thing for a new guy. Most were very helpful and friendly.

I continued to learn on the job and from continuing my education towards a Batchelors degree. I found many training classes online also. I think I’ll never stop learning because I’m hooked on knowledge.

Back on topic, if you want to start a business, check out what other entrepreneurs have to say. They are usually more than willing to help. I’ve been doing this for over 10 years now and love my life now. I’m my own boss and can take time off whenever I want.

I wear 10 hats because I’m the marketer, accountant, CEO, CFO, server, appointment setter, and whole boat load of other jobs I do. However, I have no one to complain to but myself. My only regret is that I didn’t find my calling sooner. So don’t put off your dreams, go for it!