That Entrepreneurial Spirit

My parents' view of career is very traditional. It's simply about work and earning. They belong to those who think that the best way to be secured is to be confined in a stable office (preferably government) and stay there for years (even until retirement) to be able to get good retirement benefits. Both of them are government employees. (My mom is technically retired but got re-hired).

While Mama keeps a small business, it's something she does on sideline (additional income). For her, being employed is the most secured venture anyone can take. She has a point. But the thing is not everyone really can allow surrendering to a life forever spent in one office. Just the thought of spending 5 years in a company makes me shudder.

When they found out that I am again resigning from work (I'm a serial job quitter), of course they got worried. They began asking, "What do you really want in life", "what are your plans", "you're not getting any younger, you must get a stable job" and all those nags. While they try to understand my reason (which is: Being free-spirited, I can’t work full-time for someone for long years; I cannot work full-time unless I own the business. That’s entrepreneurial spirit, I say. ), they still don't get it.

When my Dad asked what am I going to do now, I told him I've a part time job in a PR agency, I'm contributing for a magazine, I've 'budding' rackets, I'm probably teaching again next semester, and I'm studying. Again, he's not convinced. “Ano’ng mangyayari sa’yo niyan?”

But really, if you're someone who wishes to build a business but you don't have much money to invest, the most that you can do is utilize your skills and your network. Then from there you can probably start building your credibility, get clients, and eventually establish your own business.

So now I'm starting on my own (not really a business but technically established rackets), with little savings (little enough to survive), some skills, pretty good network, and good friends. :)