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This could be the basic reasons why most of us still are not entrepreneurs, and like at the comforts of office, working for corporates

As a tech journalist, I have written about hundreds of startups and interviewed many entrepreneurs and VCs (small and big) over the last 4-5 years.

Most of the interviewees are the product of premier educational institutions, some come from moderate backgrounds and on the rare occasion I sit down with a teenager who has built a successful company (for instance, 19-year-old Ritesh Agarwal has built Oravel and then Oyo Rooms).

All the people I interviewed are extremely passionate about what they are doing, they constantly attend startup events, meet a ton of industry veterans and — with the hope of someday walking in their shoes — get inspired by them.

These people all have come to terms with the fact that an entrepreneur’s life is very very tough.

For some it is a roller-coaster ride, while for others it is just a downward journey.

People say those who swim against the tides will succeed. I don’t believe in this theory. I know of many people who have taken unconventional routes, but have failed miserably.

While the world has changed, a large part of the region is stuck in a mindset and is yet to see a drastic change.

In India, for example, until maybe three years ago, entrepreneurs did not have much dignity on the wedding market. Parents would look for grooms with a steady job and a decent salary in a multi-national company. These grooms could get millions in a dowry as well.

Also read: Why you should never intern at a startup (especially e27)

Today we are beginning to see change. Entrepreneurs with potential get millions of dollars in funding and while the initial years of entrepreneurship is difficult, the older generation is culturally understanding, and hoping, the person tastes success.

Moreover, governments have also started recognising entrepreneurs and are spending millions of dollars to encourage the startup economy.

But my case is different.

In fact, none of these positive trends will work on me. Nothing can inspire me to become an entrepreneur. I have my reasons and will lay them out below.

Here is why, as a tech journalist, I will never plunge into entrepreneurship.

Startups are for the strong

I may have positive qualities, but strength of mind and will is not one.

To be honest, I am fickle.

I change decisions like a chameleon changes skin colour. I can be easily influenced. If I start a venture, and someone tells me that this is idea is not going to work, I might give up.

I was a not-so-bad singer, and I used to sing lot when I was a child. But when one of my relatives told me that my voice didn’t suit a singer, I gave up. And I did not have the guts to follow my passion in the life. So, I settled and finally I ended up being a journalist.

These are not the traits that make for a multi-million dollar entrepreneur.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, I am shy, too.

Family comes first

For an entrepreneur, the startup is his/her first wife/husband, and family is something meant to be juggled with career goals.

One of my entrepreneur friends once told me that when he got married, he told his wife that most of the time he would be coding and meeting people. He could be coding late in nights and he would not get much time to spend with her.

It worked for him in large part because his wife was okay with the situation.

But I am different.

I can never tell my wife that she is my second wife. Hell, if I dove into entrepreneurship I think she would file a lawsuit against me for being ‘polygamous’.

Moreover, I have two kids. I don’t want to spoil their childhood by not spending time with them. I want to be a good father. I want to set an example for them. I want to inculcate good virtues in them.

If I start a business, I would end up spending most of my time on my venture and my kids are too important.

Yes, steady income is important

I earn a decent salary by Indian standards, but even so, almost half the salary is spent on my family. I don’t save much.

A few months ago, I was offered a job as a co-founder of a digital media venture started by one of my previous employers. I asked him to give me some time to think it over, but I never got back to him.

I knew if I joined his project, as a co-founder, I would make very little money for the first three to four years. Plus. it would be impossible to find the time to freelance to earn my bread. Even if I did freelance, I don’t think I will be able to continue it for long.

We often criticise stability as a tradition from older generations, but, especially with a wife and kids, it is very valuable indeed.

Digital media is an especially hard start

I started my career at a digital publication and I have spent most of my career at various digital publications.

So, digital media is the only startup option I could reasonably pursue. I do not know how code and neither do I have management skills — two things which are essential for an entrepreneur.

As per my understanding, starting and surviving a digital publication is harder compared to other domains. Revenue will not start flowing in the first 5-6 years, and even if it does it is paltry compared to fintech or e-commerce.

Also read: Find your niche in the future of the Internet

VCs are not generous towards media and they would rather spend their money on some app which has recently gotten a decent number of downloads.

I don’t want to be a millionaire

Last, but not the least, I don’t want to have a lots of money in my hands.

You may find this point a bit weird, but this is true. I don’t want to be a millionaire entrepreneur. I firmly believe money can make me arrogant and I am afraid it will spoil my personal and family life.

Money is an end to achieve a mean, but once it starts to become the mean, people begin to have problems.

Conclusion

While this is clearly a personal account, what I have mentioned above is true for many people in the world who don’t want to be an entrepreneur.

Startups are for those who take risks in life.

Here too, I am different. After all, if everyone becomes an entrepreneur, who will write about all their startups?

 

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