In Tom Peters' book Re-Imagine he comments "All of our organizations will be reinvented - completely - in the next 25 years .... job security, as we have known it over the past three or four generations, is over. Over and gone."
Sounds mighty negative doesn't it? But remarkably it is neither negative nor a hindrance to thousands of entrepreneurs in our country.
As a home builder I am priveleged to take part, to watch, to assist, and to mentor perhaps a dozen start-ups a year. Frankly, its' my favorite thing in the world to do. These men and women are the life-blood of our "new" economy! They take that risk, they leave the protection of corporate and salary and benefits and go out there where it's all about "what have you done for me lately?"
It's a pretty amazing perch from which to watch our economy do what it does better than any place on this globe. 
From young to old, from handicapped to empowered we can all start our own businesses. Home building is blessed to be right smack in the middle of that phenomenom. So also is the real estate and mortgage professions. Most REALTORs and mortgage consultants are in effect self-employed entrepreneurs.
This morning I met with a young, probably 25 year old, potential framer. Now we use 2 or 3 companies each year to do our framing. After a year or two they typcially move on to home building or diversify into more than just framing. But for that first couple years they frame.
Here, just outside Chicago, framing isn't really all that fun. But .... no one in India can do their job ... come rain or snow or ice or wind, they build at a fantastic pace! They are the epitomy of entreprenuers. The young man I met this morning needed some "venture capital" to get rolling. So I gave him some pointers:
- When you borrow money, make sure you understand the price of that money, money like any other product can be purchased for a price and that price may be negotiated.
- When you start a company, right from the beginning, make sure you understand the distinct difference between capital and cash flow. You may have cash, that may not be money. You may have equity and you may need cash. They are not necessarily the same thing.
- Volume is important, which means speed is important, which means dramatically eliminating overhead is important. As a friend of mine says "to never confuse activity for achievement" (Thanks Bob)
- Lastly, what you don't discuss at the beginning of a relationship, no matter how touchy or difficult, will be what ruins it later.
I love those guys and gals that take the big step and risk it all to go it alone. Here's my toast to another great year of entrepreneurs and risk takers .... I sure love my perch!
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