Articles → What do musicians and entrepreneurs have in common?
2009-06-01
I decided at 14 I was going to be a full-time musician.
Because of this, I knew:
- I'd never have a job
- I'd never have a salary
- I'd never have insurance
- I'd never have a boss
- I'd have no security - no guarantees
- Nobody would help me - I'd have to bootstrap everything myself
- Fighting against apathy and gatekeepers would be a constant struggle
- I'd have to be one-in-a-million brilliant to achieve this incredibly difficult goal
But I was psyched about this! This was my dream-come-true scenario. I told everyone I was going to be a successful musician.
And I did. I worked nonstop. I started touring profitably when I was 18. Moved to New York City. Did whatever it takes to make a living as a musician. When I was 27, I bought a house in Woodstock with the money I made touring. I was living the dream.
Today, the amazing Carla Lynne Hall asked me why I chose the entrepreneur path instead of the 9-5 job mindset.
But look at that list, up top, again. It all applies to entrepreneurs, as well.
If you decide to start your own company, you're not going to have a job, boss, or guaranteed income. It'll be a constant uphill struggle, without help from anyone.
No wonder I fell into being an entrepreneur so naturally.
All those negatives are my dream-come-true scenario.
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