Susan Baida at the Current Mom blog discusses her becoming an accidental entrepreneur.
I wasn’t someone who always dreamed of being an entrepreneur. I was content in corporate America, building upon a 17-year career in brand marketing. I had an impressive resume including world-renowned companies such as Avon, Estee Lauder and Starwood Hotels. I enjoyed rising the corporate ladder, jumping from director to executive director and finally to vice president, a career-long aspiration.
I was on a roll until it all came to a crashing halt when the economy took a nose dive in the third quarter of 2007. I was at Starwood Hotels, which happened to be in one of the hardest hit industries.
The light bulb finally went on. I needed to let go of the world I knew, leap forward into the uncharted world of entrepreneurship and join forces with John on this amazing business venture. I took the leap and have found unimaginable fulfillment.
What I have gained as a startup entrepreneur more than makes up for what I might have missed out on in corporate life.
If you are contemplating becoming an entrepreneur, my advice is to weigh the pros and cons, obtain feedback about your venture from friends and experts in the field. If it’s positive, then you might have a viable concept in hand; be in tune with the forces of nature. Don’t force a square peg into a round hole, like I did in pursuing my old career when a new one was obviously calling, and; timing is everything. You’ll know when to take the leap. Trust your gut.
Photo by CareDiary.