Are you an entrepreneur or do you prefer to be an employee? Not everyone has the traits to be an entrepreneur and some folks don’t make good employees.

In college a few of my friends had the idea that someday they would own their own business. I didn’t think I was the entrepreneur type. It was my goal to work for a company and move up the ladder into an executive position. One of my former bosses told me he expected me to take over his job (over another employee who was closer to that position than I was). I was elated. But life took a turn and I made the decision to start my own business, mainly so that I could have a flexible schedule. My goals are based on revenues as well as work/life balance. At this time in my life working as an employee wouldn’t allow me the flexibility I need in my personal life.

Yet some people prefer the security of a steady job. At one time Sally was the Office Manager of a small business. She seemed to love her job and she was good at it. The business owner decided to sell and Sally decided she didn’t want to work for the new owner. Sally took a job as a line level employee and worked that job for 10+ years (declining promotions along the way). Then Sally moved to be closer to her grandchildren. Good paying jobs were hard to find so Sally considered starting her own business. After many meetings with a coach, Sally seemed ready to become an entrepreneur. It was only a few months before Sally and her client realized that Sally wasn’t meant to be a business owner. Sally preferred knowing EXACTLY what her job responsibilities were each day. She didn’t enjoy networking or “thinking outside the box.” Time management proved to be challenging too. Recently Sally moved again and had to seek a new job. One company offered Sally a management position. She declined. Instead she accepted the position as a line level employee. She prefers not having any responsibility to any one other than herself. Fair enough.

Being an entrepreneur is not always the right choice. While being an employee isn’t either. With jobs difficult to find many people are turning to self employment opportunities. Many of them will thrive as business owners while others will jump at the chance to accept a job offer once one comes along. We need both types of workers in this and any economic climate. Which one are you?