The Dream — by Dan Lynn

By Dan Lynn

Ever since I started working, I dreamt about having my own business. I'd actually lay awake at night trying to come up with the idea. I told everyone I met that some day I would have my own business. Every time I wrote down my goals (I'm a big believer in writing goals), owning my own business was my primary goal. I went into sales at AT&T because "some day I was going to have my own business and would need to understand sales." I went back and got my MBA because "some day I was going to have my own business and an MBA would be valuable." When I left AT&T to go to ADP's small business group it was to "be around small businesses and meet small business owners because some day I am going to have my own business."

Now, don't get me wrong, I liked working for big companies. At the end of the day, they spent a lot of money training me. And, I was actually good at working for big companies. My bosses seemed to like me, I always had an impact, and I was promoted at a fairly rapid pace. However, I'd lay awake almost every night in pain. I was a guy who wanted to have his own business so bad that it actually hurt.

Why?

I don't know. I was always fascinated with the idea. Not sure if it was because I hate to be told what to do. Not sure if it was because several distant members of my family were entrepreneurs - so I had it in my blood. Not sure if I just wanted to have control over my own destiny. Don't know. But what I do know is that I have always had an incredible burning desire to have my own business.

I was always amazed that other people didn't feel the same. However, now I know that there are actually 3 groups of people. First, those who have no desire to have their own business. This is actually a very large group. I'd guess about 35% of the population. Second, those who say they would love to have their own business but will never do it. This is actually the largest group. I'd estimate it is about 60% of the population. Then, finally, those who actually start their own businesses. That's about 5% of the population.

My goal was to not only to be a major force behind starting and building at least one great business but to motivate and help others to do the same.