Why are entrepreneurs such a minority in this society with massive layoff's and a struggling economy?

Question

I've been fiercely independent all my life, which has naturally evolved into a full blown part time business I run outside of my normal 40 hour per week position as a Compliance officer. I have the best of both worlds; a salary with excellent benefits as well as my own business venture in my complete control. When talks and external news of lay-offs surface, I quietly pat myself on the back for taking my own financial future in my hands. I'm validated and fairly secure and it is such a liberating feeling! Most of my colleagues though are completely dependent on being an employee of someone and it frightens me. Yet, they don't seem concerned. Why is this? Isn't the spirit of the entreprenuer what built American a great nation? Aren't we shown everyday examples of everyday folks that took the plunge and are successful and fulfilled. While my venture offers no guarantees, I wake up with passion and excitement. Why doesn't everyone want that? Why do so many leave their fate to chance?

Answer 1

"Taking the plunge" I like where you have landed. The encouragement to take the plunge has been so well received that even those without stable finance structures have ventured out into the unknown not knowing the strings to the parachute were entangled with all kinds of legalities that brought them from too far back and they landed face down on the spring board as the economy reflects this very true story.

Answer 2

Get over yourself.  Seriously, why did you put your life story in this question?  (Also, you don't seem like the type of person to "quietly" pat yourself on the back...)

I have no idea why people aren't more entrepreneurial.  Perhaps it's because so many businesses fail.  Perhaps it has to do with those massive layoffs and struggling economy, which maybe indicates it is not the best time to start up a business.  Perhaps not everyone wants to work 70 hour weeks.  Perhaps it is very difficult to build a startup that can compete with established corporate ventures brimming with capital. Perhaps people don't wake up with your passion or excitement.  Or maybe people are just risk averse, or they aren't all as "validated", "fiercly" independent, or modest as you are.

Answer 3

Because you can't entrepreneur jack squat without capital.

Answer 4

If theres a struggling economy than how will your buisness get going. Say if you want to open a hardware store, but the problem is in a struggling economy not many people are going to buy your goods