Clearsite Multimedia

Deciding to start your own business is often thought up right after you fight with your boss, you get fired, or you are exhausted or unhappy with your career. Just as in any whirlwind rebound relationship, this is not a good time to make a decision to get married—a marriage to your career that can alter your life more than you could ever imagine. Sure, the rewards are awesome—just pick the 70 hours you want to work. Think of all the money you’ll save from eating at your desk… and you were never really fond of sleep anyway.

Even when the time is perfect, creative people seem to hesitate on this move; they don’t think of themselves as business-savvy, equipment and software are an astronomical expense, and the thought of having to don a suit and pitch to creative directors, art buyers and those nasty marketing people makes your existing job still attractive. Business is the “art” of making money and you must remember that is why you are working. Do not confuse working with creating. Yes, high-end business can be creative and creative can be incredible business but earning a living and getting paid is the reason why we work.

That thought, right there, often gets lost in the daydream of business owning. It’s so romantic to think you can use that font you’ve always wanted, you can watch SpongeBob all day and start work at 2:00 p.m. and you can wear that comfy t-shirt 3-days in a row. Wake up! There are so many decisions to make; clients, jobs, employees, freelancers, equipment, software, technology, office space, insurance… Remember the most important reason for going into business for yourself is to earn a living. As you go forth and ponder that question during Monday morning meetings and stuffy marketing sessions, you must weigh your decision on a simple question, “Will I make money?”

I know I’m sounding shallow and materialistic but the truth is that if you can’t earn a living by going into business for yourself than you either have a trust fund or a good relationship with your wealthy parents. I’ll keep bringing the money issue up over and over. After awhile, it will make sense; it will help make decisions easier to make just by having that thought always in the forefront.