The "Spare Room Tycoon" As An Independent Entrepreneur
The "Spare Room Tycoon" As An Independent Entrepreneur
I enjoy what I do, and I do it well. My work engages and surprises me. I’m still learning about my business, just as I am learning new things about myself. Although my experience tells me what is likely to work in my business, I still feel free to experiment. It is, after all, my business.
My work is an act of imagination. I have created it as I have gone along. It is not surprising, then, that it fits me very well. I’m in business for myself so that I can be myself.
Years ago, at the supermarket, I encountered someone I met when I was first starting out. After he marvelled that I had survived all these years, he remarked, “You must be really rich.” When I told him I wasn’t, at least not by his Wharton School standards, he became almost contemptuous. “The only reason to be in business for yourself is to make lots and lots of money,” he said, pushing his cart rapidly toward the fancy crackers. I was left standing where I was, scrutinizing both the broccoli and the way I have lived my life.
No, I’m no software billionaire. I may never be listed in the Forbes 400. But I have a career that is far more interesting and satisfying than any I can imagine as an employee. Though there have been some rocky times since I went into business on my own more than 25 years ago, I am happy with the path I have taken.
How can I call myself a tycoon, you may wonder, if I’m not fabulously wealthy? In fact, the word tycoon comes, as I do, from China. It refers to one who rules, a sovereign. The word came into English, by way of Japanese, at a time when business was becoming bigger and bigger, and it referred to a powerful executive, a captain of industry. I’m actually a captain of industry myself, though my craft is more like a rowboat than an ocean liner. My empire is small, but I do rule it. And I’d rather be captain of my dinghy than a junior officer on the Titanic.
Every day, I meet more and more people who either aspire to be on their own, or are actually in business for themselves. Some 3.6 million jobs have been lost to the economic crisis since the beginning of 2008. Many of the people who find themselves in transition will no doubt think seriously about running a business of one’s own rather than looking for another corporate job. That was how I felt and that was what I did in May 1983.
The globalization of business seems to be producing a handful of transnational behemoths in every industry. But it is also giving individuals access to vast quantities of information and to communication technologies that allow a home office to be as well connected to the world as is a downtown office tower. It’s therefore no surprise that many people with imagination and nerve feel that they can make a bigger impact as individuals than as functionaries in vast, anonymous organizations.
Many of those contemplating independence are people who have worked for large corporations and either fear that they are going to be displaced or find that this is actually happening to them. Others are younger people who appear to be on a career fast track, but who understand that every organization is unstable, and loyalty is largely irrelevant. People just out of school are likewise seeking ways to invent themselves so that they can prosper amid tumult and retain a sense of personal integrity. Parents are looking for ways to find the time to be part of their children’s lives while they invent a business of their own. All sorts of people—women and men, old and young—are looking for ways to live while keeping soul and body together.
Some have dreams of making lots and lots of money—and none of them would mind if it happened. A few have dreams of creating large new companies, but many more don’t share the common assumption that one must grow large or die. The great majority of people I meet would be happy to be mildly prosperous. Their main payoff comes in personal satisfaction, in autonomy, in deliverance from office politics, in the freedom to make their own mistakes instead of being forced to execute the misjudgements of others. Living by your wits can be risky, but it also makes you feel more fully alive.
The Spare Room Tycoon As An Independent Entrepreneur - To learn more about this author, visit James Chan's Website.
Like this article? Share it with your friends
I use a staircase to commute to my second-floor office from my third-floor bedroom or my first-floor kitchen. My company, Asia Marketing and Management, has global ambitions but consists largely of me and the intelligence, experience, contacts, and personality I bring to my clients’ tasks.
I enjoy what I do, and I do it well. My work engages and surprises me. I’m still learning about my business, just as I am learning new things about myself. Although my experience tells me what is likely to work in my business, I still feel free to experiment. It is, after all, my business.
My work is an act of imagination. I have created it as I have gone along. It is not surprising, then, that it fits me very well. I’m in business for myself so that I can be myself.
Years ago, at the supermarket, I encountered someone I met when I was first starting out. After he marvelled that I had survived all these years, he remarked, “You must be really rich.” When I told him I wasn’t, at least not by his Wharton School standards, he became almost contemptuous. “The only reason to be in business for yourself is to make lots and lots of money,” he said, pushing his cart rapidly toward the fancy crackers. I was left standing where I was, scrutinizing both the broccoli and the way I have lived my life.
No, I’m no software billionaire. I may never be listed in the Forbes 400. But I have a career that is far more interesting and satisfying than any I can imagine as an employee. Though there have been some rocky times since I went into business on my own more than 25 years ago, I am happy with the path I have taken.
How can I call myself a tycoon, you may wonder, if I’m not fabulously wealthy? In fact, the word tycoon comes, as I do, from China. It refers to one who rules, a sovereign. The word came into English, by way of Japanese, at a time when business was becoming bigger and bigger, and it referred to a powerful executive, a captain of industry. I’m actually a captain of industry myself, though my craft is more like a rowboat than an ocean liner. My empire is small, but I do rule it. And I’d rather be captain of my dinghy than a junior officer on the Titanic.
Every day, I meet more and more people who either aspire to be on their own, or are actually in business for themselves. Some 3.6 million jobs have been lost to the economic crisis since the beginning of 2008. Many of the people who find themselves in transition will no doubt think seriously about running a business of one’s own rather than looking for another corporate job. That was how I felt and that was what I did in May 1983.
The globalization of business seems to be producing a handful of transnational behemoths in every industry. But it is also giving individuals access to vast quantities of information and to communication technologies that allow a home office to be as well connected to the world as is a downtown office tower. It’s therefore no surprise that many people with imagination and nerve feel that they can make a bigger impact as individuals than as functionaries in vast, anonymous organizations.
Many of those contemplating independence are people who have worked for large corporations and either fear that they are going to be displaced or find that this is actually happening to them. Others are younger people who appear to be on a career fast track, but who understand that every organization is unstable, and loyalty is largely irrelevant. People just out of school are likewise seeking ways to invent themselves so that they can prosper amid tumult and retain a sense of personal integrity. Parents are looking for ways to find the time to be part of their children’s lives while they invent a business of their own. All sorts of people—women and men, old and young—are looking for ways to live while keeping soul and body together.
Some have dreams of making lots and lots of money—and none of them would mind if it happened. A few have dreams of creating large new companies, but many more don’t share the common assumption that one must grow large or die. The great majority of people I meet would be happy to be mildly prosperous. Their main payoff comes in personal satisfaction, in autonomy, in deliverance from office politics, in the freedom to make their own mistakes instead of being forced to execute the misjudgements of others. Living by your wits can be risky, but it also makes you feel more fully alive.
The Spare Room Tycoon As An Independent Entrepreneur - To learn more about this author, visit James Chan's Website.
Like this article? Share it with your friends
 | |
 |
No article feedback found. |
| |
Leave Your Feedback |
 | |
| |||
Jay Kubassek(Jay's Full Bio: EvanCarmichael.com/jaykubassek) In five years, Canadian-born entrepreneur Jay Kubassek went from selling mufflers at a Midas franchise to revolutionizing Internet marketing with the 2004 launch of CarbonCopyPRO, a online marketing education company, now worth over $20 million with customers in over 160 countries.
As an independent film producer, his upstart film fund Aliquot Films is currently producing a films with Spike Lee and Abel Fererra (starring Ethan Hawke and Dennis Hopper.)
Jay's entrepreneurial spirit is irrepressible. He’s the owner of five companies, a professional speaker and trainer, international real estate developer/investor, extreme sport enthusiast and emerging philanthropist. Jay resides in NYC with his wife Jamie, son Milo and dog Cooper. Visit Jay's official website: www.JayKubassek.com - Visit Jay Kubassek's Website |
|||
Cheryl MatthynssensCheryl is a life skills coach, licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor and a 20 year entrepreneur. Cheryl's dedication to achieving a life of balance led to her expanding her teaching from the simple managing of life's daily challenges to adding financial well being as well. A direct marketer with DrinkACT, she is gaining ground in the online community with her concepts of making sure business owners, entreprenuers and employees have well rounded life styles. She opened up a small affiliate site - The Balance Guide- to help others find resources for mental and emotional well being. Visit Cheryl's blog to see more of the diversity beyond business she has began offering online at www.thebalanceguide.blogspot.com - Visit Cheryl Matthynssens's Website |
|||
Stephanie RobeyStephanie Robey is President and CoFounder of Pivot Positive, LLC - an Internet marketing business focused on helping people start work at home ventures. Previously, she was employed at The Search Agency with over 20 years experience in graphic design and 10 years experience in online marketing. She was responsible for launching the Conversion Path Optimization (CPO) unit where she and her team have conducted hundreds of optimization tests for online companies across multiple verticals. She is a successful entrepreneur having started and sold 2 companies and remains on the board of directors of the third, PhotoSpin.com Stephanie began her career in the direct marketing realm creating and producing direct mail for many of the major cable television companies and directly attributes her understanding of Internet marketing to those early offline experiences. Stephanie is a graduate of San Diego State University with a BFA in Graphic Arts and also holds an Executive MBA from the Graziadio School of Business and Management at Pepperdine University. Read Steph's Blog Meet Steph and Dave Sign up for our Free 7-Day BootCamp: Self Employed & Rich - Visit Stephanie Robey's Website |
|||
|
To learn more about the Evan Elite Author Program please contact us. | |||
 | |
|  |
Subscribe to James's articles
 | |
|
|  |
 |
|
James Chan Video - James Chan, Ph.D., created the phrase "The China Formula" to help Americans understand China in one word.
Dr. Chan is President of the Philadelphia-based, independent consultancy, Asia Marketing and Management (AMM). AMM specializes in advising U.S. manufacturers, trade associations, and information companies in building business relationships in China and in exporting American-made products and services in China and Asia. To view AMM's detailed profile online, go to: www.AsiaMarketingManagement.com.
|
|
|
 | |||||||
|
 | ||
 |
||
 |
||
 |
||
|
| ||
 |
| Have you written articles that would be of value to entrepreneurs? Become an expert on our site by publishing them! Expose yourself to a wide audience, drive more traffic to your website and get more sales! Click Here for details. |
|
|
 |
| Modeling the Masters: Learn the true secrets behind Walt Disney's business success factors & grow your company! Video produced by Phanta Media |
|
|
 |
"Learn straight from Evan how you can Make a Full Time Income (And More) from a Website"
Click Here To Learn More |
|
|
|
|
Get advice & tips from famous business owners, new articles by entrepreneur experts, my latest website updates, & special sneak peaks at what's to come!
|
|
|
 Attract Desired Careers Marketing Effectiveness Optimus Performance Making It Happen Why New Businesses Fail |
|
 | ||
 |
Top 50 Blogs For Startups
Top Blogs To Watch In 2008 | |
 |
Top 50 Geek Business Blogs
Top 50 Geek Business Blogs | |
| ||
 | ||||
| ||||
|
| ||||
| ||||
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
|
Email us your ideas on how to make our website more valuable! Thank you Sharon from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for your suggestions to make the newsletter look like the website and profile younger entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez and Sean Combs!
|
|
|
| ||||||||||
|
| ||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||