16 Surprising Responses I Encountered When I Became an Entrepreneur
Launching a business is an exciting adventure full of challenges, wins, and surprising reactions from those closest to you. It is an adventure of excitement and relentless work while chasing your dreams. I was expecting some responses, but even so, many were dramatic enough that I felt caught off guard. Here are some of the most surprising responses I got after leaping into entrepreneurship.
“You’re So Brave”
When I announced my new business, one of the first responses I heard was, “You’re so brave.” At first, this comment made me feel proud of my lifestyle change, but I soon realized that a deep sense of worry was beneath the praise. Many people consider entrepreneurship a sort of risk that fits perfectly with the feeling of fear or uncertainty in not having that steady job. It made me think about how others view this notion of risk in achieving business ownership, even when I was thoroughly convinced.
“Are You Sure?”
A simple “Are you sure?” I used to get this question from family and friends who were concerned about the risk of entrepreneurship. As grateful as I was for their thoughtfulness, it challenged my convictions and had me even more convinced than before—not just in them but also in myself. This statement showed me how you can be doubtful from within your head and by those around you.
“Must Be Nice”
A few reactions were related to my business, and some were more about making assumptions about what life may be like for me. “Oh, that must be great,” they would say—it sounded as if I now had all the time in the world to do whatever work whenever it suited me. Entrepreneurship is liberating but offers many challenges and responsibilities that most people never realize. It reinforced the mistaken belief that running a business is more effortless or more glamorous than it is.
“How’s It Going?”
One question I continued to get throughout the weeks that turned into months was simply: “How’s it?” It seems like an innocent, polite inquiry, but I always felt that people were asking because they secretly wanted to know if my startup was going down or up. It reminded me of the expectations from entrepreneurs showing instant success, which is usually a prolonged and twisted journey. And it also made me more thoughtful about how I represented my progress to others.
“I Could Never Do That”
Another reply that surprised me was, “I could never do that,” a mystic admiration blended in with disbelief. Even if it was said jokingly, it re-established the separation between those considered ‘business people’ and those stuck behind a desk for a nine-to-five job. This response helped me comprehend so much about how people view business ownership as something they could never do in a lifetime, yet it is as simple as taking risks and having the right attitude.
“You Must Be Rich”
When I told people I was starting my own business, a lot of them jumped to the same conclusion: “You must be rich.” It was like they thought having a pile of money was the only way to become an entrepreneur. In reality, I wasn’t sitting on a fortune — I was putting everything I had into making my dream happen. Hearing this made me realize how many people don’t see the late nights, sacrifices, and risks that go into starting a business.
“What About Security?”
Financial security was a common thread running through the responses. “What about security?” What about the income certainty that goes with a regular pay cheque? That response enlightened me about how the world perceives security over possibly profitable heights when self-employed. It was also a reminder that a person must have sound finances, be prepared if something terrible happens, and not give up on working towards a better tomorrow.
“Can I Join You?”
To my disbelief, some people got so inspired by my dive into entrepreneurship that they asked, “Can I be a part of this with you?”. Curiosity or wish for change, the fact makes me assume that a significant number of people want more than what their current job offers them. It was an ego booster and a gentle reminder that entrepreneurship can be contagious, if not inspiring, to those who see it as another emancipatory path toward finding meaning in their work.
“Are You Making Money Yet?”
One of the many questions I kept hearing was, “Are you making money yet?” It felt like everyone was just waiting to see if I’d make it or not. Maybe they were thinking, “I’m making a lot of money.” It made me realize that people often focus on quick results rather than the long journey. This helped me stay grounded and reminded me to be patient as I worked to grow my business.
“You’re Going To Be So Busy”
Another reaction I encountered was, “You’re going to be so busy,” and I smiled a little knowingly. Running a business takes forever and requires all your efforts, but this comment reinforces the idea that you should kill yourself by hustling. That caused me to question the importance of disconnecting and setting boundaries to balance work and life — something that becomes increasingly difficult when you work seven days a week as an entrepreneur.
“Why Didn’t You Do This Sooner?”
Interestingly, at the same time, many people were surprised that I had taken so long to start my business. “Why not sooner?” they would inquire as if the ‘when’ was more relevant than the ‘what’ I was up to. I say so because it got me musing about what we are conditioned to expect: straight career paths and the notion that one has a limited time to make or break one’s life, etc. It was also a reminder that everyone is on their path — there’s no “right” time to pursue your dreams.
“What If You Fail?”
The most recurrent reaction I got was related to the fear of failure. “What if you fail?” was a question people would ask, and they would sound concerned. This question made me face my fears and have a new perspective on failure; instead of being regarded as a failure, it becomes a learning process. It also reminded me that the fear of failure is very much a part of our society and that one has to have the ability to get back up and face it.
“You’re So Lucky”
One that I did not expect was the “You are so lucky” when people seem to think that I just woke up one day and decided to start a business. This remark minimizes the effort, time, and commitment involved in business, given that it is also a form of risk-taking. It made me conclude that most people depend on external elements when it comes to success instead of working hard for it.
“How Will You Compete?”
When I quit my job, I was almost immediately asked, “How will you compete?” This made me think that people consider business to be an uphill battle. Or I must say, I even thought of it as demotivating for some time since it kept me thinking, what if they are right? While establishing a business amidst cutthroat competition isn’t easy, it is surely rewarding, and nothing can stop you as long as you know what you are doing and are doing it well.
“You’re Going Against the Grain”
Many people told me that I was going against the grain or that leaving a job to start a business was risky. It reminded me how people view conventional jobs as more stable than business but forget to consider that they also happen to work for a company that does some sort of business. This phrase only pushed me to work even harder for my own venture rather than working the same hours for someone else.
“I Wish I Could Do That”
Last but not least, the kind of reaction I often heard was the people saying, “I wish I could do that.” The people say it not only with admiration but with particular envy and the wish to be free from the conventional nine-to-five routine. It inspired me to understand that it takes a lot of courage to start a venture and the satisfaction of following your heart. It also strengthens the notion that anyone can do it if they are willing to take risks and commit time and effort.
I have found that starting a business is one of the most fulfilling things one can do, and at the same time, it has made me realize that people’s reactions to it can be pretty mixed. These have ranged from admiration and envy to concern and skepticism, and I have understood a lot about the perceptions and misconceptions of venturing into a business. This journey has proved that the journey to business ownership is not without its challenges and hitches, but it’s a course that involves learning, growing, and being prepared for the surprises that come your way.
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This article was first published at Rbitaliablog.
