December 20, 2011

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9. To have an impact.

To have the biggest impact on the world possible. We only live one life and as an entrepreneur, you can literally change the lives of millions of people by introducing products that they use daily. I can’t think of anything else I could do with my skill set that could have the same affect.

Immad Akhund, Co-Founder & CEO at Heyzap: @Immad

10. To grow.

For several years, I felt like I was working harder, smarter and with more passion than any of the people employing me. Rather than helping me grow, my bosses were diluting my work and holding me back from realizing my fullest potential.

Melissa Dowler, Co-Founder at Long Haul Films: @LongHaulProject

11. To spend time with family.

I set up my own company to be able to spend the hours I want to spend with my children, but it turns out that having control over every aspect of my company is something that I really enjoy. That, and bossing myself around.

Jill Salzman, Founding Mom at The Founding Moms: @FoundingMom

12. To never regret.

My idea for my product/business was so simple, that I was afraid that in a few years I would see my idea on store shelves and that I would never be able to live with the regret I would feel knowing it was my idea first and someone else was making money from it.  The fear of regret was so much stronger than the fear of failure, that I didn’t feel like I had a choice.

Leslie Haywood, Founder & President at Grilled Charms by Charmed Life Products: @GrillCharmer

13. To stay engaged.

Working in big corporate settings as engineers wasn’t challenging and left us in a drone of boredom. Through Listia, we were able to create a product we wanted to use while also building a company and work culture that kept us engaged and driven.

Gee-Hwan Chuang and James Fong, Co- Founders at Listia, Inc.: @Listia

14. To answer to myself.

I wanted to hold myself fully accountable for the triumphs, disappointments and everything else in between which I would inevitably encounter in building my own sports agency. In order for me to have implemented my vision for success in this field, I needed total control over every element of the creative process. My fear of failure was easily outweighed by my hope and expectation for success.

Eugene T. Lee, President & CEO at ETL Associates, Inc.: @EugeneTLee

15. To control my paycheck.

I wanted to be in control of my own paycheck. I was laid off in 2008 and had no idea how I would maintain my household.  I started a small consulting business in 2006 and decided to step out on faith and make this business my full time job.

Vanessa Parker, Owner at PinkBoss Inc.: @ThePinkBoss

16. To be flexible.

I decided to leave a full-time publishing job I loved so that I could work from home when my sons were born and so that I could have many clients, not just one employer, which offers greater flexibility and less risk.

Jennifer Bright Reich, Co-Founder and Editorial Director at Momosa Publishing LLC: @MommyMDGuides

17. To love my work.

My #1 reason for becoming an entrepreneur is to blur the lines between my personal passions, talents, work and educational experiences. In essence, I want to be able to say that I really enjoy my work.

Alison C. Price, Owner at Organic Glow: @OrganicGlow

What motivated you to become an entrepreneur? Let us know in the comments section below. Did you enjoy this article? If so, subscribe to YFS Magazine and never miss an update. Don’t forget to make our friendship official and join Young, Fabulous & Self-Employed entrepreneurs on Facebook, Twitter and Google+.

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