Thinking about starting your own business? Intrigued by the idea of being your own boss?

Check out these common misconceptions about entrepreneurship, from young professionals who are living the build-your-own-business dream. Via the Young Entrepreneur Council:

1. You need to be niche



2. You have to be a certain age


- Ben Lang | Founder, EpicLaunch

3. You have unlimited confidence


- Kelly Azevedo | Founder, She’s Got Systems

4. You’re an overnight success

“A debilitating mindset I see is that overnight success is possible. These young entrepreneurs are inspired to start their own business by witnessing individuals that are currently successful. They study the success story instead of the origin of that success story, which often includes massive struggle prior to the breakthrough. Truth is, it takes ten years to become an overnight success.”

- Josh Shipp | TV Host & Bestselling Author,

5. It’s all about the idea

“I regularly receive calls from friends who have the next “big idea.” But they call it quits when it comes time to really start building something. The truth is that entrepreneurship is 10 percent idea and 90 percent execution. Most entrepreneurs’ ideas change and evolve over time, but their success comes from being able to execute on their vision and make adjustments as necessary.”

- Bhavin Parikh | CEO, Magoosh Test Prep

6. You make your own hours

I’ve lost count of the number of times people have told me how great it must be for me because, as the owner, I get to make my own hours. What they don’t realize is that since it’s your business, it’s incredibly difficult to ever turn it off—something I’m personally trying to work on. You are thinking about a thousand different things and are therefore always working.” - Justin Beegel | Founder, Infographic World, Inc.

 7. You’re sexy, rich and taking over the world

“Entrepreneurship is not always sexy, entrepreneurs aren’t instantly rich and they aren’t always in it to take over the world. Sometimes they go from meeting with a client to cleaning the bathroom because it’s ALL their responsibility. Sometimes they don’t take paychecks for years and sometimes, they don’t want to change the whole world—just improve their industry or make their mark.”

- Therese Kuster | Owner, TargetClick Marketing Solutions

8. You’ve gotta risk it all


- Andy Drish | Founder, Referral Squirrel

9. You work all the time

“There are two types of entrepreneurs. There are the hard-working founders that live to work and work to live. They are constantly at the office changing the world. That’s great, but it doesn’t apply to all entrepreneurs. Others start businesses to experience the opposite effect. They want more freedom and want to work less. This type of person has been called a “lifestyle entrepreneur.”"

- Logan Lenz | Founder / President, Endagon

10. You’re the next Zuckerberg


- Nathan Lustig | cofounder, Entrustet

11. Debt is absolutely necessary

“I’m tired of seeing entrepreneurs preach that you’re not passionate about your idea unless you’re willing to give up everything for it. Plenty of people start successful business without ever going into debt. We’ve always run our business as a blend between consulting and software. The consulting made us profitable from day one, which has given us the resources and time to build out the software.”

- Allie Siarto | Partner, Director of Analytics, Loudpixel

12. You’re gonna make it on your own

“Starting a business by yourself is a recipe for failure. Too many cooks in the kitchen is no good, but you have to find that a partner in whom you believe. Your partner will help you fight those inevitable fires, help you celebrate the little “wins” and generally keep you sane. A partner will also make sure that the company thrives if you ever need to take a day—or even just a few hours—off.”

- Aaron Schwartz | Founder and CEO, Modify Watches 

13. You can still separate personal from professional


- Eric Bahn | Founder, Beat The GMAT

14. You’re born with it

“Many people believe that you are a born entrepreneur, which is true for many people, but that does not discount those who were not born with the business skills or desires. Great entrepreneurs are made through nurture, not through nature. If you are passionate and have a great idea, you too can become an entrepreneur as long as you never quit and see your idea through to the end.”

- Louis Lautman | Founder, Supreme Outsourcing



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