There’s a new study out that suggests that fewer Americans are turning to entrepreneurship in 2010 than did in 2009. According to an article in Entrepreneur’s Daily Dose blog, the study by outsourcing firm Challenger, Gray, & Christmas* found that “just 3.7 percent of job-seekers ended up starting a business… For comparison, 8.6 percent of the unemployed became entrepreneurs in calendar [year] 2009.”
The article is titled Note to Entrepreneurs: Laid-Off Workers No Longer Want To Be You. Interesting, because I’d argue that they never did. Sure, lots of people hang out consulting shingles or think their employment gap is the perfect opportunity to test out that business venture they always said they wanted to start. But most people aren’t prepared for the long hours and the do-everything-yourself reality of starting up a business. Not to mention the lack of a steady paycheck, health care benefits, or a built-in pension plan.
What do you think? Surprised by the numbers or a reversion back toward the norm?
*Sorry that there’s no link to the original study, but I couldn’t find one. If you have one, please let me know and I’ll add it in.
Photo by Aaron Smith (Flickr).
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I agree with you. A lot of people like the idea of working at home in their pyjamas but discover that the reality is long hours and hard work. If you are passionate about your business and always coming up with new ideas, you’ll enjoy working for yourself as you can follow your dream without interference and will have the energy and commitment to carry you through. I could never go back to an office job, but being an entrepreneur is certainly not for everyone.
Thanks, Penny. Passion & commitment are critical.
I think the big mistake many people make is that their eyes are “wide shut” to the reality that entrepreneurship is far more about elbow grease than red carpets and IPOs. Or pajamas. (Though I must admit that part never gets old!)