Death of the Wantrepreneur

Being an entrepreneur is cool. It’s the career that many people want but lack the drive to actually have. These people are known as wantrepreneurs. They talk about what they’re going to do, they even put “entrepreneur” in their Instagram bio — but they’re not entrepreneurs. They work for someone else or they don’t work at all. I was one of those people.

I’ve always had a job — very good jobs where I developed really great skills, but those jobs never made me happy — at least not fully. I’ve always dreamed of something more, I even wrote about those dreams when I was laid off from Sony. I swore then that I was finished working for someone else and wanted to start my own business. Two years later — still no business. Sure I’ve had side hustles and short term projects to scratch my itch, but I never took that final leap. What was my reason for settling the last two years? Fear.

It has taken me two years to admit it, but the one thing that kept me from starting a business was fear. Fear of failing, fear of not having what it takes — the typical uncertainties that come with being an entrepreneur.

Recently I came across a video of Will Smith talking about fear and this quote stood out to me, “The best things in life are on the other side of fear.” I realized then that he was right. Of course my business could fail and not work out — but what if it didn’t? What if I end up happier and more fulfilled than I’ve ever been? What if I’m able to spend more time with my family? With those stakes, that’s a risk I’m willing to take.

So last month I started a business. A real business that has contracts and clients and isn’t just an idea or want. I stopped being a wantrepreneur and started being an entrepreneur. Am I still afraid? Of course — but not enough to hold me back anymore. I realized that I could have the greatest job in the world but at the end of the day it would be just that, a job. No matter the situation or circumstance, I’m always going to want more because I have that internal hunger to pave my own way — work hard with no ceilings and build something myself. Legacy.

Uncertainties aside, I can always find another job, but I can’t always start a business. Life is short and tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. If I left this planet tomorrow having never tried, I would be pretty pissed off. So two years later this is me trying — and I couldn’t be more excited.

If you’re curious about what I do or would like to learn more, check out my portfolio.