The Unconventional Roads to Entrepreneurial Success

I used to think I was special. I never felt a call towards marketing, copywriting, or writing at all, really. I never got a degree. My story is honestly kind of boring and slow. It felt that way at the time, I should say. However, looking back on my life, I know now that I was born to work.

As an avid gamer, I built my own computers. I mowed grass to buy games and PC parts. It never occurred to me, at least at the time, that I didn’t view it as work because it didn’t really feel like work. It felt like I was always working towards something.

That’s something that I think most entrepreneurs have, if nothing else. That drive. An undying curiosity to find out just how much they can do with their life.

As I got more into copywriting, building out the business, and eventually building out my own company, I found myself constantly running into people with stories more interesting or unique than mine. So I don’t really think I’m special anymore. Luckily, my drive and infinite curiosity to push myself and my team are still alive. And what have I learned from other entrepreneurs? There’s no such thing as a straight line in this journey.

Traditional Paths to Entrepreneurship

The classic routes to entrepreneurship have been well-trodden by many successful business leaders. These conventional paths often involve starting a business from scratch, franchising, or inheriting a family business.

Starting a business from the ground up requires a clear vision, a sound business plan, and a willingness to take risks. Franchising offers a different approach, providing entrepreneurs with a proven business model and brand recognition, though it comes with its own set of rules and fees.

Meanwhile, inheriting a family business can provide a head start, but it also involves navigating family dynamics and evolving the business for modern markets.

While the internet has changed a lot of these dynamics, many people are still stuck coming up with ideas. I think there are two main reasons for this.

They usually revert to the traditional formula for inspiration

They are too focused on “being an entrepreneur” and not what it is that they’ll actually be doing every day

Non-Traditional Paths to Entrepreneurship

Less conventional paths to entrepreneurship have emerged, reflecting changes in technology, society, and business. Social entrepreneurship combines a passion for societal change with business acumen, focusing on creating solutions for social issues.

Intrapreneurship allows individuals to innovate within existing organizations, contributing to the company's growth while enjoying employment security.

The gig economy, driven by platforms like Uber, Doordash, and Fiverr, offers flexible, freelance opportunities that empower individuals to act as their bosses without the overhead of a traditional business.

There’s almost a neverending list at this point. Start a dog walking business. Be a handyman. Wait tables on the weekend.

But yet, the problem still remains. It’s still more about making more money and less about following passions, delivering a solution to a problem people have, and enjoying the ups and downs that come with this journey.

Julia’s Story

I recently met someone whose story meanders just as much as my own. And as she told me about points A, B, and the road between, it reminded me of my path and how the vision for where I am was never part of the plan. It also reminds me that it’s hard to tell where the road will take me tomorrow, though I look forward to seeing where my journey takes me next.

Julia’s career trajectory is a testament to the flexibility and potential of modern entrepreneurship. Having led engineering teams and held executive roles, Julia easily transitioned into entrepreneurship, leveraging her tech skills to build websites and manage data assets.

In 2016, she started investing in cryptocurrency and really loved everything about it. Then in 2019 her brother lost access to his Dogecoin and asked if she could help. It was stuck in an old wallet that would no longer sync.

Julia helped him recover it, and he was so happy that he gave her a thousand bucks. That experience made her think that others probably needed help with similar situations. She started learning everything she could about crypto recovery and launched Professional Crypto Recovery the following year.

According to her, it’s the most rewarding thing she’s ever participated in. And as you can tell from the story, it was all an accident. She never had any intention of getting into this business, just like I never intended on getting into marketing.

Challenges and Opportunities in Entrepreneurship

Each entrepreneurial path presents its own set of challenges and opportunities. Financial risks are a common concern, as is achieving a work-life balance, particularly for those with families.

I love my downtime, but one of the members of my team is so grateful for his job. He’s been a freelancer for years, but no other agency would give him a shot at full-time work. I brought him on after working for me as an IC for a year and a half. Now, I have to beg him to stop working.

He loves what he does. And he’d rather be grinding than sitting on the couch watching TV.

Everyone’s different. So are the journeys and the reasons behind them.

I Don’t Have All the Answers

So why did I write this piece if I don’t have all the answers to get you started on your own path to entrepreneurship? Because no one has your answers. They can only tell you what they did or didn’t do.

Anyone who tells you they do have the answers is a scammer or just a plain old liar.

But I can tell you this: Once you figure it out. Once you find that thing that you’re meant to do. You’ll sleep a lot better at night. You’ll wake up ready to face the day. You’ll look forward to the grind. And then, one day, you’ll wake up and be where you need to be. But that won’t necessarily be where you thought you would end up. Enjoy the drive.