As the founder & CEO of Four Score Solutions, my brainchild and tech startup, I often find myself pondering this age-old question: Does being your own boss actually grant you greater independence than working for somebody else’s company? Today, as we celebrate Independence Day, these reflections feel even more appropriate as I work to meet the needs of my clients on what should be an unplugged day with my family. I’ve found that the journey of running your own company is filled with both freedoms and responsibilities. Recognizing these has been essential for me and has guided me to find an appropriate and rewarding balance between total freedom and total limitation.
One of the greatest aspects of being my own boss is the inherent autonomy in decision-making. I have the final say in all matters, from employee incentives to client selection and strategic direction. This freedom allows me to align the company's goals with my vision and values, ensuring that the company stays true to our mission. Equally as valuable, if not more, is the luxury of setting my own schedule and working from home. This aspect has been a blessing, as I am more present for my children's milestones and I can create a work-life balance that suits my family's needs…within reason. And that’s the challenge. The autonomy and flexibility is always constrained within reason. And the constraints seem to rise from the very things that bring me independence: My clients and my employees.
Independence as an entrepreneur comes at a price and with constant challenges. Being on call 24/7 to run the company can be draining. Ultimately, I’m the final stop for all problems and I’ll work to the early hours of the morning to appease a client. The financial burden of operating a tech consulting firm is significant. Employees are extremely valuable, they require costly benefits and generous salaries. The constant need to be available for emergency issues means I can never fully unplug or take a completely stress-free vacation with my family. The pressure of maintaining stability for my employees, quality for my clients, provisions for my family all while ensuring the company's growth adds to the weight of responsibility.
The great Abraham Lincoln once said, "Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves." This quote resonates deeply with me as I strive to provide my team with a supportive and empowering work environment. I recognize that the freedom I enjoy as an entrepreneur is intertwined with the well-being and freedom of those who work for me. I aim to value my employees and show appreciation for them in all that I do. By prioritizing my employees, they become happier and more willing to work towards client satisfaction. This becomes cyclical; without satisfied clients, I can’t fund my employees' salaries or their benefits. Without well-compensated employees, I can’t satisfy clients. Granting them independence is often a sacrifice of my own independence for today with the hope and promise that the future brings great success for all involved…and ultimately, great independence for myself and my family as I find key employees to ease my burdens.
As I sit here working in my office on this Independence day, listening to the sounds of my family playing outside in the sun, I find myself reflecting on Calvin Coolidge's words from his 150th Independence Day anniversary speech. His wise words remind us that the Declaration of Independence "laid down the precepts of philosophy, the rules of action which should guide a people in the establishment and maintenance of good government, the principles of governance which would secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity." I can’t help but feel a deep connection to this concept with my entrepreneurial journey. I realizeI must lay down the precepts and principles that guide my company towards sustainable freedom and success. Only then will I have the hope of finding the great independence of successful entrepreneurship that is so often romanticized.
Running a company like Four Score Solutions requires sacrifice in the immediate for the benefit of the future, and balancing the rewards of independence with the inherent risks and responsibilities. The journey is not easy, but the satisfaction of building something from the ground up and watching it grow is unparalleled. As we celebrate Independence Day, I am reminded of the value of freedom and the importance of cherishing and nurturing it in both personal and professional spheres.
In conclusion, while the path of entrepreneurship is fraught with challenges, the rewards of independence and the ability to shape your own destiny make it a journey worth undertaking. I don’t know that I can answer the question of where great independence is found. Is it in the power to manage your own company, or does it rest in the security of working under somebody who shoulders the risks and burdens and grants you guaranteed PTO? For me, I’ve determined that independence is something I can earn by putting in the work today to reap the rewards tomorrow. Here’s to all the entrepreneurs out there who embrace the risks for the chance to achieve their dreams. Happy Independence Day from all of us at Four Score Solutions to all of you!
