A couple of years ago, I made one of the most important decisions of my professional life. I decided to leave a comfortable job that paid well and strike it out on my own. I opened up a small professional services firm that focused (at first) on market research and strategic consulting in the healthcare industry. My company, Cadence Research & Consulting, is still around and growing. Ever since I opened my doors, it's been quite a ride and filled with subtle and not-so-subtle lessons that ultimately is assisting my success.
Its only been a few years so its hardly a finished story of success. In fact, we are hardly out of the woods but there is already much to share and discuss with other entrepreneurs (aspiring, newbies and veterans). I hope others will jump in and share their experience and engage in a discussion of what it means to be an entrepreneur in the crazy marketplace we have now.
The reason I am calling it 'Starting in the Deep End' is because that is what it felt like to me...being thrown into the deep end of the pool. Its exhilarating, insanely scary and if you can survive long enough, ultimately rewarding. Right now I am feeling all three emotions and I can't imagine doing anything else.
Before I started it, I wasn't sure what to expect and that unknown made me nervous to even think about it. It was a lot like when my wife and I decided to start our family....it was something that I knew I wanted but just wasn't sure when the right time would be. Being a DINK (dual income no kids) was very comfortable, much like having a good paying job in corporate America. In fact, if I thought about it long enough, I could easily convince myself that the whole notion (having babies or starting a business) was crazy. However, in the end, I knew it was a place where I was headed. Now, I am the father of three girls ages 12, 10 and 8, and a business that is still a baby.
For those of you who have opened up your own shop how did you feel? Was your experience different or similar? I would love to hear it. For those of you who have yet to start, what do you picture it being like and what shapes that view?
- S.
I really like you analogy. Starting a business really is like jumping into the deep end of a pool. You either learn to swim fast, or you sink. There is always a struggle, and at times you are desperately gasping for air, but it makes you stronger. It has been very cool watching your business grow over the last few years. You are doing a wonderful job!
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