Last week’s discussion chart featured some data released by The Hartford from its third annual “Small Business Success Study.” The study provides some important topics and pertinent feedback from survey respondents related to the small business owner in the U.S. The results are based upon a total of 2,000 national interviews with small business owners.

Perhaps the most interesting and applicable results revolve around one key question: “If you knew you could be just as successful at a job working for someone else, would you take that job over running your own small business?” Overwhelmingly, the answer is “no.” Even among those individuals who don’t feel successful in their business, nearly half preferred working for themselves vs. working for someone else. That’s refreshing! The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in the U.S. 

That same question has great application to agriculture. Some years are favorable, and some very unfavorable, to those involved in agriculture. No doubt, all readers have experienced both the highs and lows of agriculture, as well as both the challenges and satisfaction of running their own businesses.

Where do you find yourself? Does your outlook match that of other small business owners in the U.S. as indicated by the chart below? Would you take a job working for someone else vs. running your own business?  

Leave your thoughts below.