Money Matters
DomerJenC
member
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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
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Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Would you start a business you weren't "passionate" about?
First of all, I don't think I'm a "passionate" person, per se. I like many things, but I don't have ONE thing I'm totally passionate about.
I've been thinking about a business opportunity that is compatible with mom-hood. Not sure if I'd get bored with it though. The capital outlay is very small, so if it failed (though I think it'd be a success) we wouldn't be out much.
Anyway, this might be more of a "do you think everyone has a passion - some just haven't found it" question, but would you consider starting a business that you weren't sure you wanted to do for a really long time (like more than 5-10 years)?
Re: Would you start a business you weren't "passionate" about?
No amount of education could convince Betty to be nice to possums
No, but I have zero desire to have my own business. I'm just not self-motivated enough.
I am not a very passionate person either.
There are just some people who aren't passionate. That's ok.
If you have the time to do this, will enjoy yourself at least a little and will like the extra income, go for it!
I'm similar to you - there are certainly things I enjoy doing, but I wouldn't categorize any of them as "passions".
I think if you're happy doing what you're doing, then it'd be worth it.
I don't necessarily think everyone has an easily articulated passion. But I also wouldn't recommend starting your own business if you weren't 100% passionate about it. I can't imagine putting that amount of work into something I didn't really care about.
I think everyone has a passion (or passions) but not necessarily one they can (or want to) make a living at. So, it follows that it's fine to have a job or a business that you're not passionate about. As long as I thought I'd enjoy myself some - as opposed to regular jobs - then I'd definitely consider it.
I'm curious what kind of business you're talking about.
From my own personal experience...
I started a business doing the thing I was probably MOST passionate about (though there are a few things I am passionate about, not just this one)--graphic design. I used to spend hours doing hobby design projects just for fun (like desktop wallpapers, etc.) before my husband suggested that I could actually go into business for myself doing this.
It's not that I am less passionate about design now or no longer passionate about it, but doing something as a career and ESPECIALLY having it as your own business is really difficult and draining in my experience. It's fun, but it's frustrating sometimes to me (dealing with difficult clients, having clients insist on an option that I know is not as good design-wise, just the day to day of running a business). The difficulties are enough that if I wasn't passionate about what I do I don't think I would have stuck with the business long enough to be successful.
Your business might be structured differently to present fewer challenges to you, but just in my experience if you aren't passionate about the business you start, you will find it difficult to stick with it.
Sure, I'd do it if I thought I would at least enjoy it and bring in some extra money.
Not everyone has passions that can make money. I think being your own boss is a nice bonus and working for yourself is probably more motivating than going into an office everyday. Since you said the start up costs are minimal, I don't see a problem with only wanting to do it short term.
If it involves sales, then no.
If it is something like medical transcription or consulting on projects, then yes.
What about finding something that you care about - that will also allow you to stay home?
Yes, I would. I think that there would be tons of perks to having a business that would let you have lots of time with J. If it goes well, who cares if it doesn't last 20-30 years!
I am not "passionate" either (except about travel, and my DH) but I would totally find it practical, wise, and fun to find something you enjoy enough and can do while being at home with baby.
I have plenty of passions, just none that would support me.
Yes, I'd do it. Just have an exit strategy (acquisition, liquidation, etc). If you put it in place after 5 years, so be it.
I don't think everyone has one passion. I have a million things that I love to do, and settling on one of them really wouldn't make me happy.
The most successful entrepreuners I know identified a way to be profitable at meeting a need vs. starting a business related to a personal interest/passion. For example, my aunt and uncle have a really successful printing company. I doubt either of them was super passionate about paper, kwim?
On the other hand, you see people investing in a personal passion (hello food businesses and restaurants!) and failing all of the time.
Yes, I would. Aren't you supposed to have an eventual exit strategy, anyways? I have yet to start a job somewhere that I thought I'd stay forever.
I am not a very passionate person either. I would do what you describe if it worked for me in that phase of my life, it was going to be worth my time in hard dollars, and/or if it was good for my resume.
A potential future teaching gig falls under this category for me.
Honestly, I probably wouldn't, but it sounds like there isn't much risk involved. It just depends on the amount of time and money you're talking about here.
Most startups require everything you have in both catagories, which is why you absolutely have to love what you do. If it doesn't require much of either, then it doesn't matter as much.
I say go for it, esp if it's compatible w/mommyhood and the capital outlay is small enough that you won't be upset if the business doesn't make a profit.
This. I own my own business, and have for the last two and a half years. It's my passion, and I love it, but it is very, very difficult at times. I don't think I would get through it if I didn't love it. And my business is doing well, and always has (thankfully). If we were struggling though, I think that passion is the only thing that would get me through.