I have often heard business owners say that they could never imagine working for someone else, because they love the freedom that business ownership offers. On the other hand, I have heard employees say that they would never want to have their own businesses. They believe that there are a lot of hassles associated with being a business owner.

I have been both an employee and a business owner, and have noticed that business owners and employees have two different ways of thinking. Some of these key differences are explained below, and may help you determine where you fit in.

BUSINESS-OWNER MENTALITY

1. Solve a problem for someone else and create business for yourself – For example, the person who created the automatic car starter that starts your vehicle without having to step outdoors, solved a problem for many people. It has allowed residents of cold climates to start up their vehicles from inside a building, thus allowing the interior of the vehicle to warm up before even getting into the vehicle.

2. Enjoy flexible hours – If you need to, you can adjust your work hours to attend your child's soccer game or school fieldtrip. You may also be able to decide what time of day you work. My girlfriend's husband has his own business from home, and chooses to work in the evenings. This allows him to be home with their children when she is at her job during the day.

3. Realize that retirement is not based on age – In his book entitled “Rich Dad Poor Dad,” Robert T. Kiyosaki explains that ability to retire is actually based on your financial situation. And if you have a business that brings in a lot of income, retirement at any age is a real option. So instead of waiting to win the lottery, there are other ways to bring you wealth.

4. View operating expenses as an investment in your future – It is important to remember that “you have to put wood in the stove to get heat.” So if you pay to take a course that will bring you more business, then you really cannot look at it as an expense.

5. Accept that income can vary from month to month – You realize that it is the total income at the end of the year that is most important.

EMPLOYEE MENTALITY

1. Less flexible work hours – You trade hours for dollars. You are also happy working from 8:00 until 4:00. Once 4:00 comes, you are on your own time. What did not get done today at work can wait until tomorrow or may be able to be passed on to the next shift.

2. Accept that you are paid what the employer has decided the job is worth – If the top of the pay scale is $30,000 per year, that is all that you can make with that job.

3. Accept that raises in your salary are not under your control – Therefore, you look forward to the next raise, even if you only get it once per year.

4. Only people ages 50-60 can retire – Some employers have retirement plans in place, but you can only get a full pension cheque when your age and years of service at that job equal a predetermined number.

5. You like to know what your cheque is every month – You are not comfortable with cheques that change.

In summary, there are differences in how business owners and employees think. Based on what I have just explained, it can help you decide which category you fall into – business owner or employee.