An entrepreneur I know said something to me the other day that really stuck in my head.  She said “I just can’t justify getting a job, being paid by the hour, and dedicate that amount of time to someone else’s business”.  The comment grounded me at the time as I was in the midst of a resume writing frenzy and desperately trying to secure employment.

But is she right?  Can entrepreneurs justify working for someone else when they’ve demonstrated in the past that they can generate a decent income by starting their own venture?

Wracking my brain for some answers I came up with the following reasons based on my experience as to why an entrepreneurial-minded person would want to work for someone else.

Fixed hours and the ability to ‘switch off’ when you leave the office
While your friends are winding down on a Friday afternoon ready for the weekend you’re mentally running through a checklist of what needs to be done by Monday. Entrepreneurs often face sleepless nights fretting over wages, delinquent staff or how they are going to raise capital. Fixed hours may be an attractive alternative to the 24/7 life of an entrepreneur as it lets them enjoy a life outside of work.

Regular income and paid holidays
Did someone say “holiday pay”?  When I was running my own venture I didn’t take a holiday for three years, and when I finally did, I was answering calls and responding to customer emails whilst sipping coffee in Paris and trying to relax.  Holiday = epic fail. Holiday pay = attractive.

Learn new skills and/or explore new industry sectors
If you’re thinking about starting a new venture in an unfamiliar industry sector, or feel you’re lacking experience, one way to get the skills you need is to get a job in the industry you’re wishing to branch into.

You’re burnt out
If you’ve experienced burnout as a result of running an entrepreneurial venture, you may want to work for someone else as an income producing way of recharging your batteries.  Burnout is often specific to the situation that caused it (i.e. running the venture), and the symptoms of burnout may not necessarily follow you into your new job.

Yet the question remains… can entrepreneurs “justify” working for someone else?  Will they find it fulfilling or will the fixed pay, fixed hours, and acquisition of new skills soon lead to boredom and scribbles being made on paper napkins during scheduled lunch breaks mapping out ideas for new ventures?

What do you think? Why would entrepreneurs want to work for someone else?
Please post comments below.