I can certainly relate to this post. I think I am a hopper and maybe even a two-timer.

Steve
Steve Rucinski | Email | Homepage | 04.07.05 - 12:21 pm | Link to this comment

I'm currently waiting for my corporate job to start...

Aaaargghh!
TM Lutas | Email | Homepage | 04.07.05 - 4:28 pm | Link to this comment

I run into this phenomenon so often!

I'll also be writing about the flip side of this (Corporate employees forced into periods of entrepreneurship due to lack of options).
Anita Campbell | Email | Homepage | 04.08.05 - 10:31 am | Link to this comment

The OAOAE (onagainoffagainentrapreneur) is I. As a teacher who onced owned a retail store, now working on etov.com on the side, and soon to be opening several other smaller ideas, the oaoae can not be smothered by the 9-5 life. The 9-5 is needed to live, but it is not what our lives are about. We leave our "jobs" weary, then our life begins.
Frank Geiger | Email | Homepage | 04.08.05 - 11:31 am | Link to this comment

I know you said that you will talk about other reasons for being on-again off-again, but the biggest has to be medical insurance. I started a business and lived the good life of being my own boss. Went corporate to get top of the line health insurance [read maternity insurance]for the wife and I. Had two kids. Now am on my own. My second business ownership venture is making enough money to "buy" the next kid, so I'm not going to have to go back.
Hospice Guy | Email | Homepage | 04.08.05 - 3:46 pm | Link to this comment

yes, i know a couple of people as you described...
wilson ng | Email | Homepage | 04.11.05 - 1:14 am | Link to this comment

Entrepreneurs? Sounds to me more like these are folks who just aren't happy with their jobs, but aren't prepared for what it means to start a business.
Mark | Email | Homepage | 04.12.05 - 7:45 am | Link to this comment

This is a very very usual situation in Spain (Europe). Nowadays Spain is passing through an important crossroad. Big foreign corporations are leaving the country in order to decrease labor costs. There are many professionals with 2 careers and 3 languages that post for the same vacancy (400-500 people for the same position, really!). It's just for the money, but my mind keeps thinking and working for a freelance activity.

Your posts are very useful Anita. Thanks a lot.

David
David | Email | Homepage | 04.16.05 - 2:31 pm | Link to this comment

David, thanks for letting us know the situation in Spain. It is always good to learn about what is happening elsewhere.

Best,
Anita
Anita Campbell | Email | Homepage | 04.17.05 - 8:45 am | Link to this comment

I agree with Mark above. Many self employed collegues are tempted to return to the corporate world primarily because of the salary. But to to me, being an entrepreneur means you have to stick with it through the tough times financially. We're still not in the black, have mortgaged everything we made in corporate america, and wouldn't go back. What? To be laid off again???
Paula
Paula Chapman | Email | Homepage | 05.02.05 - 5:38 pm | Link to this comment

As for me, I can't imagine anyone (except the lucky few who are fabulously successful their first time) _not_ being an OAOAE. After all, if you come out of a failed venture with enough money to start another business, then frankly you didn't really commit to the first one.

For me, anyway, the business isn't irretrievably dead until I'm so broke that paying business expenses would mean going hungry or risking eviction. Which means that once it _is_ dead, I don't have the option of immediately starting over with another business.

So far this has happened to me three times. I'm currently in the "day job" phase, but seeing as how I won't be 30 until September, I'm not yet worried about running out of chances.
Matt | Email | Homepage | 05.21.05 - 5:32 am | Link to this comment

Thanks for your insights, Matt!

Very interesting perspective.
Anita Campbell | Email | Homepage | 05.21.05 - 8:58 am | Link to this comment