Full-time vs. Part-time entrepreneur

Is it a trend a coincidence?  Lately, we have seen several new ventures, in which the leading entrepreneurs are not committed to full-time employment. We’re usually talking about experienced individuals, some second-timers and others that have been involved in real-world businesses, and are now “porting” them to the world of the Internet.

OK granted, all of these very talented people work more than 8 hours/day anyhow.  Perhaps it is justified to allow part of that time to be targeted at different things.  You can argue that the 80/20 rule applies, or that including other things makes people more productive. To me, it just doesn’t feel right.

I am reminded about the difference between being involved and being committed.  Analogous to a breakfast of Bacon and Eggs; where the Chicken is involved, and the pig committed…

If you’re time isn’t 110% (or more) focused on your new venture, I have difficulties believing that you’re really committed.  Am I wrong?

technorati tags: full-time vs. part-time involved committed

Comments

[Stephen]

I know plenty of people that built their start-ups after hours, using their day job to put food on the table until the new venture could support them (others had the spouse work full time). But they did it all on their own, without outside capital.
Personally, I feel I need to be 110% committed to get any startup I am running off the ground. There is a lot to build, learn, do, change, and react to in the beginning and the best and only way to really learn your new business is to eat, drink, and breathe it as much as possible.

[Tali Aben]

Thanks Stephen. Many times, an entrepreneur keeps the day job, to get the new venture up and running. But as soon as possible, resulting from either revenue or outside capital, they quit the old job, to focus 110% on the new... What do you think about entrepreneurs that post venture capital, want to spend 80% in the new venture, and the rest elsewhere?

[Juicy Couture Outlet]

Hi, thank you so a great deal for these ideas!