I am in a privileged position. I have been allowed to pursue my professional dream. When I decided to start a business with my good friend Marika, I took a conscious risk. I did not see starting a business with a friend would be a risk, but giving up my status as an employee. I’ve always been filled with entrepreneur spirit, so now that I have been an entrepreneur for a while, doing the work itself hasn’t changed in any way. There is more freedom, but also financial responsibility for it. Everything must be profitable.
Our goal is to create a company where we can pay salaries for Marika and me. The cosmetologist whose services I use, is an entrepreneur and she has been able to create a productive business for herself. We discussed the profitability of the business and she said it took about two years for the revenue to stabilise. Although the sector is different, stabilising the revenue will not happen in any sector in one night. So there has to be patience and the funding needs to be in order.
In the beginning, Marika and I both invested money from our own savings in the initial capital of the company. We were also aware that we could not take any salary from the company for several months, so the personal finances also had to be in order.
Several people have inquired whether we have applied for governmental subsidies for our operations. In the beginning, we found out, with the help of a professional, about all possible ways to fund our company’s activities and also looked at support programs. The review revealed that it is not possible for a consultancy company like ours to receive subsidies and that most of the subsidies are granted to companies that have already overcome their difficulties in the beginning. The reality was that the only financial support that could be applied was the start-up money paid to entrepreneurs. However, I myself was not entitled to that money, but fortunately, it was granted to Marika. So the entrepreneurs really have to literally show what they are made of. Only then it is possible to apply for various governmental subsidies for the company. Subsidies are therefore available when they are no longer likely to be needed as much as they were in the beginning.
Although I was prepared for a change in my social status, some of the experiences changed how I see our society, especially how it treats entrepreneurs in the early stages of their business. However, I still feel privileged. I can work almost anywhere, anytime. Together with Marika, I can decide what kind of company we want to create. I have the opportunity to pursue my dream and I can do it without feeling anxious about the future. I still trust tomorrow and I see that my dream is on its way to come true.
