Would you give up 10 years of your life to start a successful business?

Yes...been there done that, but not quite as dire as the hypothetical. In my twenties and early thirties I put everything I had into learning my profession and investing in the future. But it did involve lots of hours and full dedication and the ****ty car and house etc. I didn't have a child until my mid 30's by choice.

I never missed any of my sons activities, have a great relationship with him today as a 21yo and today at 54, while I still work hard and have the occasional sleepless night that comes with running a business, I ski over 40 days a year, hunt as much as I want, along with travel with the wife.

It is called delayed gratification.
It is called passion.
Never did it with a goal of money...did it for a sense of accomplishment.
I believe we are designed for success, but I also understand we all have our own definition of success.

 

That's the current plan. Mainly for the vacation time and job availability where I want to live (Alaska and nearly every western state). Find out in February where I'll be headed.

I envy others being their own boss but the sacrifice on the front end was too much for me. I'd rather travel and meet people at 25 rather than 65.

 

Not a chance. I work less than 80 hrs every two weeks now and can't stand it. I have a sweet gig but would rather be doing something with my family or hunting.

 

I gave up hunting for 10 years to coach football, I coached and was involved in the youth football board. I don't regret my involvement but I sure don't miss it either. I travel for work now a lot but I get to schedule the times I am home. It all depends on where you are in life if you have young kids they need a parent more than "things" that money can buy

 

Yep. My job isn't the best in the world, but I only work half of the year, have good benefits, and even get snow days . While I haven't been lucky enough to travel the hunting destinations you have, I've already been to 6 countries (7 if you want to count our northern neighbors, lol) in our 5 years of marriage (8 since I've been working). I don't want to live to work. Hats off to those that can, because the benefits can be great.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S4.

 

Owning your own business doesn't mean you value work differently or that you have to work non stop. It's hard, not for everyone but the rewards, freedom, etc far outweighs the alternative for me. My walk with Christ, time with my family and the outdoors mean more to me than any job or business however I have to have a way to support all of that.

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk

 

The real benifit I feel now in sacrificing those years of my life is what I've been able to do for others, not just myself. I'm the second youngest of 8 kids in my family and I'm the one now that's there for the others on rainy days. When one brother came down with terminal cancer, I was able to show up with a check to make sure all his bills were paid while his wife and 3 kids grieved and got theirs lives pack together. When the government tried to take my other brothers warehouse fror back taxes I was able to pay them off for him. I've paid off my Mother in laws home and bought her nice reliable SUV and I give generously to my church and missionaries. These are thing I couldn't do if I'd planned on just make enough for yourself to get by. You never know what tomorrow may bring so make hay while the sun is shining.

 

Owning a business isn't a requirement for financial stability later in life. Proper saving and investing is. Owning a business can help facilitate these, but they certainly don't always go hand in hand.

You seem to have done very well for yourself and your generosity towards family is honorable...

 

Very true and thank you.

My point was more about how people can make it seem greedy to want to make a better living for yourself. Like you just want a better car or stuff for yourself. I was just saying making a great living for yourself can be beneficial for you and everyone you love and care for.


Kilboars Hunt Club

 

I appreciate these last comments. I'll ad that our reasoning behind being a business owner is for both time and opportunity to control it and my income. I voluteer, spend times with my kids, help other entrepreneurs, etc. That I wouldn't have traditionally had the opportunity doing other wise

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk

 

Would I do it today at 46 years old, with a wife and 3 kids and adopting a 4th....???? No way.

Would it have been worth it to start this at 20 years old and be stable from 30 years old on? Yes

For a single 20-30 year old man to do it is one thing, for a man with a family? No way