Let's compare how entrepreneurship stacks up to the boss where income is at least middle class levels or higher. In these scenarios no family or friends loan you money, wash your laundry, or do any other assistance in helping you succeed. You are on your own to figure it out, just like me.

Entrepreneur for Customer/Clients
1. Prepare by studying in college, or independently, all types of business information. Read about and take courses in business management, economics, and how industries change and grow.

2. Spend time studying every source on how to run a business, take care of taxes, basic financial and cost accounting, etc, etc, etc. Put aside LOTS of time to read, read, read, and read some more.

3. Read about all the online home-based businesses (do NOT join any of them) to learn how they advertise online, and at their respective state governments for licensing. Make notes to ignore them if they do not legally exist with any governmental agency. Look over how businesses online present themselves. Use common sense judgment as you read forums, blogs, etc. All home-based businesses, or any business or person, receiving income from selling products or services to customers must be registered with their state for tax purposes. Always remember that as you study all the various businesses that seem to pop up daily on the Internet. Learn how to navigate government websites in the small business section to learn more about business rules and licensing details.

4. All of your studying will reprogram the mind to think as a business owner, not just a consumer alone. It is important to understand the difference as the first key to success in entrepreneurship. Continue all levels of business education in some form everyday to continue your mindset as an entrepreneur.

5. Your goal as an entrepreneur is to provide the best service to please the customers, so they will come back and give you more money each month, refer their family and friends, and so on. After you own your own business you need to still spend time continuing education on changes in business economics, tax laws, local laws, and societal changes, to make sure your business keeps up with the times.

6. When researching what business venture you want, look for the highest return for the lowest investment. You may even just want to start with something small that will grow over time. Capital investment is not always necessary to own your first business. Be open-minded as you research ALL your options before choosing the business fitting your lifestyle best.

Whew! Okay now. So how long did that take so far? You did not even open for business yet! Which means you have not received a return yet for all that time spent studying. The bills are due "every thirty days" and it takes much longer than that to learn so much. That means keep flipping those burgers while in training to learn how to "own that burger shop" or at least run it first. Keep your mind focused on how to "own it" as you learn everything on the job. If focused that way, your mind will learn how to do just that. In fact, everyday your mind is thinking whatever you tell it to think.

Employee for Employer
1. Prepare by spending months studying in a trade/vocational school, or years in college. Setup student loan debt to pay for it that will have to be paid off later. Make sure to acquire references from school in your trade to apply on your resume'.

2. Spend time writing and rewriting your resume to please the interviewers, with the hopes of receiving that second interview a month later. It can take two or three months of interviewing different higher level managers for that "good" job, so beforehand, make sure to study many "interviewing techniques" for each level.

3. Spend lots of time at the thrift store (which is all you can afford right now) looking for the best interviewing clothes (several outfits). For females, make sure to buy proper fitting clothes, no bright colors, plus makeup and jewelry to look professional, but do not over due it. Cover your toes with proper shoes and wear a professional looking hair style. For males, make sure your shirt is tucked in, you paints fit your body properly, you have a tie and it is strait, your shoes are clean, your socks match, and your suit is cleaned. Shave right before the interview and make sure your hair is groomed nice. These sound simple and common sense, but still need mentioned.

4. When looking for a job, you take into account the amount of money you need for a certain lifestyle. Then you look for jobs that pay that amount, plus additional amount needed for Uncle Sam. You need to compete to fill those jobs; then compete to keep those jobs. Once working in a job there is no guarantee you will be working tomorrow, unless you have a contract setup before you started, which is rare in most cases. An employer's bottom line is not how high they can pay you, it is how low they can pay you to make the profit they need to stay in business. Many people everyday receive the pink slip out of the blue for no apparent reason.

5. As an employee, your goal is aim to please an employer who will hire you, and pay you the amount of money you need every month. Then after being hired, you need to continue learning more in seminars, meetings, continual education, etc., with the hopes that your trade will remain for years to come. It is very difficult to change a trade after years of time and money invested into focusing on one.

How are you going to pay for all this? Another reminder that bills are due "every thirty days" while you are spending time in school. Well keep flipping those burgers for MANY hours and do not even think about going out on the town. That party money has to be used for interview clothes and everything else you need to set them up. You seem to spend energy trying to spend as much time at work as they will allow, in order to increase your income as much as possible, to pay for everything you need to get that "good" job. Do not forget to spend proper time studying to get those good grades. You need those references from the instructors.

So you see that hard work, lots of time, continuing education, and more, are expected if you hope to always have the income level you desire. Not much difference in energy, money, and time to work toward entrepreneurship or to getting hired for that "good" job. The main difference is that entrepreneurship offers a chance for you to "run the business" as you see fit...as long as you are legal, moral, and ethical. Being an employee offers you chances to "please your boss" hoping for that promotion, bonus, or both...or maybe just to keep your job. Neither one has a guarantee of success in life.

Are you an entrepreneur or employee? Which one best suits your style? Don't be shy! Our society really does need a balance of both to be successful.