Fulfill your dream – Even unimaginative people dream. What sets apart the independent, small-business owner is acting to make that dream come true. If you have always wanted to run your own bakery or automotive shop, starting your own business can make that happen. The fulfillment of achieving a lifelong dream is a powerful motivator, and one of the best arguments for going independent.

Capitalize on what you know – Hand-in-hand with fulfilling your dream is the common sense desire to do what it is you know best and to be paid for it. The working world is full of people laboring at tasks that all too often aren’t the best use of their personal skills and talents. When you start a new business, you have the opportunity to do what you know best and to get paid for it. Rather than laboring at what your boss wants you to do, going independent provides the opportunity for you to capitalize on what you know best.

Love what you do – A close cousin to doing what you know is loving what you do. Some fortunate people are capable of whistling while they work at nearly any assignment. Alas, most of us have preferences. Going independent is the chance to concentrate on your preference. There is no shortage of independent small-business owners who have willingly taken a cut in pay and reduced fringe benefits for the privilege of working long hours, six and seven days a week simply because they love what they are doing.

Be your own boss – Anyone who has taken directions from a less-than-accomplished boss has yearned to be the one calling the shots. If going independent is anything, it is the ability to be your own boss. An important caveat, however, is that it doesn’t take long to realize that while a small-business owner may be the boss, in reality he must serve many bosses – called customers and clients – or else fail.