Who Owns You?

"So free we seem, so fettered we are."

Robert Browning

19th century British poet

How true whether you work for yourself or someone else.

We all owe someone something.

Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Funding

"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both."

Ben Franklin

18th century American statesman, inventor, philosopher

This seemed appropriate as we enter our nation's 235th year, while at the same time relating to business.

Be careful when seeking funding for your company, the cost may be much greater than you think.

Delusional Security

"The people never give up their liberties but under some delusion."

Edmund Burke

18th century British political writer

What "liberties" do we give up in our business lives, and for what "delusion"?

No matter if we work for someone else or ourselves, we trade absolute freedom, whatever that may be, for the promise of financial security (the money we receive for what we do.)

If Burke agreed with my interpretation he might also point out that it is delusional to believe that you ever have certain financial security, or that it can even be defined.

Will whatever it is today, be so tomorrow?

Start-Ups: Free At Last!

"Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose."

Kris Kristofferson

While "freedom" is high on the agenda of most entrepreneurs just starting out, few understand how much this great song lyric also applies to them.

And when you add to it, "Busted flat in Baton Rouge (substitute the name of whatever town you're starting your business in) from the same song, well . . .

In business, value freedom but fear and respect it as well.

The Cost of Freedom

"Everything that is great and inspiring is created by the individual who can labor in freedom."

Albert Einstein

Being on your own may be the ultimate freedom but it also may be prison due to a lack of funding.

On the other hand, working for someone else usually (but not always) means money is not an issue whereas the freedom to do what you want may not be what you need.

Which is it for you?