Why employees become entrepreneurs

Every entrepreneur has a story to tell. More often than not, behind every successful entrepreneur is a story of toxic workplace experiences, and horrible contortions needed to fit a lone wolf into sheep’s clothing. Others have dipped and swerved their way through a variety of university degrees and radically different variety of jobs until they found their own way.

Organizational psychologists report these as the 12 factors of personal satisfaction in a workplace:

1. Opportunity for personal control or latitude in decision making
2. Opportunity for skill use acquisition and development
3. Clear goals
4. Variety in job content and location
5. Role clarity and feedback
6. Positive contact with others
7. Good pay
8. Physical security
9. Valued social position
10. Supportive supervision
11. Career outlook
12. Equity (justice for both the individual and the community)

Self employment is not for everyone. For some people, the perceived loss of security and fear of the unknown is enough to keep even highly dissatisfied people in a paid employment situation. And some are wildly happy with their chosen careers. But for the restless souls who get a rush out of creating and building something conceived in “the workshop of their own mind” venturing out into a self-made world is the only way.