What do you love about being an entrepreneur?

Capital Ideas members share what makes their business hearts beat

Dennis Michael of Wake Creative (wakecreative.ca) says that the control entrepreneurship affords him is his biggest draw to the lifestyle. “Being an entrepreneur allows me to completely control my growth and success. Accountability is squarely on my shoulders — I love every minute of it.” “Being an entrepreneur has allowed me the delicious freedom to create my own vision and do what’s right for my customers, not just what’s profitable…My dream was to be able to work from anywhere,and my dream is coming true this year.” — Kimberly Allison, founder of Marketing Rx Inc. (marketingrx.ca) “I’m living my dream; since the age of eight, I dreamed of owning a business like my grandfather did. Creating something unique with really amazing people that solves a problem is a crazy ride and an enormous privilege. What I love most is the problem solving that’s required every day, and looking down the road to see what’s next. It’s not always easy, but it’s sure worth it.” — Angela Armstrong, president of Prime Capital Group (pcclease.com) “While there are the obvious perks of being an entrepreneur, like being in control of your own schedule and seeing the direct outcome of your efforts … it’s the interpersonal connections — both with my clients and other business owners — that turn the sometimes difficult feat of entrepreneurship into an enjoyable adventure.” — Nicole Beart, founder of Memory Catcher Personal and Corporate Video Biographies (memorycatcher.ca) “I’m able to significantly influence the goals Quercus strives for, the values we live by and the services we offer clients... As an entrepreneur, there is nothing better than the thank yous and the smiles we get after our engagements, ultimately helping each of our clients do their jobs better.” — Andrew Bryson, president of Quercus Solutions (quercussolutions.com) “I love the flexibility and the assortment of tasks done daily, as well as being able to grow your strengths and accept your shortcomings.” — Kelsey Bulmer, co-owner of Cerulean Boutique (ceruleanboutique.com) “I love the collaborative process that I get to experience when I work directly with my clients. The outcome is never predictable, but it is always tailor-made to suit the environment and community… Being an entrepreneur gives me the ability to take ownership and allows for that collaboration to flourish.” — Cynthia Dovell, director and architect at LGA West, LGA Architectural Partners (lga-ap.com) “I love the flexibility, new relationships and amazing experiences that being an entrepreneur has provided to me over the past few years, including the ability to volunteer within the community and get out of the business side of things from time to time.” — Bree Emmerson, owner of BE3Designs (be3designs.ca) “Being an entrepreneur is rewarding for many reasons, but what I love most is the constant learning associated with it... When the buck stops at you, you quickly realize the value of understanding every aspect of your business. They say that every seven years, everything you know will need to be replaced; I feel fortunate that as an entrepreneur, I get to learn and relearn every single day.” — Anuj Gupta, president of Anu Homes (anuhomes.ca) “The challenges keep me alive and the competition makes me improve… Meeting other entrepreneurs with different skill sets improves mine… and teaches me life lessons.” — Mariana Konsolos, owner of Princess Florence Handbags & More (princessflorence.ca) “I love the simple fact that as an entrepreneur, I am able to write my own financial success story.” — Chris Kourouniotis, principal at CKDESIGN Associates Inc. (ckdesignassociates.com) “I love the independence of being able to work on projects as I see [fit]. I also love the fact that I can pour my heart, soul and passion into something I love doing.” — Kevin MacDonald, sounding board at PU Technologies Inc. (putechnologies.tk) “I built a business around what I love to do, and I am grateful that I am suited for my business and profession. Making a difference with customers and having the responsibility and opportunity to do more and offer more than was expected is incredibly satisfying. I believe that it is shockingly rare to love what you do every day, and I am blessed to be one of the lucky ones.” — Mike Mack, CEO at X5 Management (x5management.com) “The ability to create something from nothing. Sure, it will take tackling your idea or business venture with zeal, focus, passion, fearlessness and unrelenting optimism, but every inspiring success story started with an idea and built from there.” — Ronda Nedelec, partner and director of business development at Zag Creative Group (zagcreativegroup.com) “I love having complete control over the products I sell and the way I interact with my customers… I can be completely honest about why my product will solve the customer’s problems because I truly believe in it. I can also take the time to build relationships and trust, knowing that customers respond to that much better than the hard sell.” — Tracey Nielsen, owner of Tiara Hair Extensions (tiarahairextensions.com) “What I love about being an entrepreneur is the freedom and autonomy, the freedom to make crucial decisions independently… and to take uninhibited, calculated risks.” — Mansoor Punja, general manager at Fast Track Signs and Printing (fasttracksignsandprinting.com) “The freedom to experiment and not get fired for it.” — Howard Suissa, founder of Suissa Design (suissa.ca) “It allows me to be responsible for my own destiny, and my social values are expressed by helping others be responsible for their destiny. It is freedom to express who I really am and what I value most.” — Connie Warner, president of National Quality Training Group Inc. (launchingleaders.ca) “I love the freedom of being able to set my own destiny, chart my own course and set my own paycheque.” — Marliss Weber, president of Parados (parodos.ca)