I’ve been asked by several investors lately why I want to start my own company.  I originally answered with the benefits — I want to make an impact, I’d love to not have to worry about money, I want to be able to provide positive influence to both our customers and employees, etc.  But I think what’s at the core of all of this is creativity.

I’m not creative in a traditional sense.  I can’t draw or paint, I can’t write my own music, and I can’t write fiction.  In fact, this blog has been my most enjoyed creative outlet.  Although I’ve longed for something more.  I’ve longed to have creative control over a business.

Startups can be brought from nothing to something in so many different ways.  Some of them attack a large market, others create an entirely new market.  Some hire consultants, others hire full-time employees.  And some bootstrap while others take investment.  Entrepreneurship really is an art, fueled by a different type of creativity.  Instead of painting a canvas or writing a bridge, entrepreneurs express themselves by creating a business.  We see the world differently and address that difference with a product or service that changes things in the same way music or art does.

Decisions to raise money, build a new feature, hire a new employee, make a new partnership, or change our brand or messaging are all creative decisions under the umbrella of entrepreneurship.  These decisions, and ultimately our product or service, are our canvas to communicate with the rest of the world.

I’m doing my own company because it’s the most effective way for me to express myself, given my skills and interests.