Are lifestyle businesses (or roles, jobs, assignments…) enacted with passion, or are they just a fun, comfortable, enjoyable, interesting and casual pursuits to make some money. If so, can a life style business be entrepreneurial? Maybe not?
Entrepreneurial businesses, and people, invest money, take risk, create jobs (for others) and provides for progress and growth. A lifestyle business, or person, is not necessarily in it for any other reason than safety, security, passion, the fun of doing.
This is not to say pursuing a lifestyle career is bad. On the contrary. But I think most of us confuse the two, especially if we own a business. Recently I was with a web designer, small firm, 2 people, and he told me his business was an “entrepreneurial life-style business”. He has no intention on growing his company, expanding his client base, hiring anyone else, or creating change in his industry. He is using his industry, delivering a valuable service, but has no desire or capacity to grow.
I am writing this because I have realized that my firm is entrepreneurial. It began as a life style firm, boutique I called it, kept me busy and happy. I even went through two leadership programs and finished my Doctorate while running it. Seems I had a nice life-style. That has all changed. Revenues are up (and expenses), capacity is up, research being conducted, lots of speaking engagements, and many more moving parts, busy, sometimes tiered….life-style is definitely different.
I have made my lifestyle entrepreneurial. And I love it even more. But I am tired.