Ownership (rather than “sense of ownership”) and total freedom to wear shorts when you feel like it are more than offset by the many duties of a company owner, including the arduous task of going on business to fancy locations.

Sounds like a lot of fuss. Why not procuring a sinecure at an established international company, and confidently making oneself look important until it’s time to retire? Why risk and bother? What are the real motivators?

First off, a new challenge. Have been to academia, public service, a small company, a big corporation, in this order, and done some freelance projects in between, all profitable. Life’s short, and still no start-up? Unbearable.

Second, common sense. Under capitalism, you’re either а capitalist or else. Indeed, if an hour of your time brings you, say, $100 and costs company customers $250, someone must be skimming off the top, right?

Third, an opportunity. A fabulous combination of tax incentives, low interest rates, and state sponsorship makes this year the best time ever for starting a new company.

If not now, then when?

(to be continued)