About two weeks ago I went to Wisconsin to help my oldest get situated in starting his first "real" job. Moving a considerable distance from home, renting and furnishing an apartment and working to launch him off with everything he needs is just what this old man needed.
There was something cathartic being with him and witness him taking an opportunity that was totally unknown for him. For him, landing the role took a year. The ironic thing was he originally applied with the company while a senior in college. He thinks he may have missed (or does he know he missed?) communications from the company to move forward in his initial application process. At any rate, he was offered the position. And we drove cross country with his clothes, his computer gear and a few essential items... and spent a little over a week traveling, scouring the facebook marketplace and creating his living environment.
He concluded one chapter of his life and started the next chapter of his life where his life and story launches independently built on the foundation of his education and upbringing. He has been raised well. He has a good head on his shoulders. He is charting his own path and he started on Monday.
In a way helping him with his transition energized my transition to right my ship and course correct. Since leaving previous employer, I have become increasingly frustrated in the re-employment process. The scouring of job postings. The submission of resumes and applications. One glimmer of hope quickly fades to nothing. Interviews leading to ghosting. Unable to leverage a 20 year career into something of value for next opportunity in the same industry. Unable to do it for a different industry. Too old? Too qualified? Too experienced? No experience? Poor economy? Saturated labor market? Employer prioritizing youth over seasoned professional? Stale. Stagnant. Risk averse? Comfort over courage? It's been a slog and a complete and total waste of time and energy.
While going as a support to my son, the thought emerged that the chapter of being an employee or leader in a large corporation has closed. I turn the page to something new. Being in Wisconsin made it okay to pursue something new, something unknown. Something a little intimidating. An alternate path to leveraging skills I possess others either don't see value in or are unwilling to pay for.
I learned there is a term for the transition: necessity entrepreneurs. Defined as those in engage in entrepreneurship because of a belief that decent or desirable livelihood alternatives do not exist for them. The starting or acquisition of a business because they have been unable to secure viable employment options or sources of income. Driven by survival these entrepreneurs are often formerly unemployed, displaced workers or individuals facing economic uncertainty acting as a push to self-employment.
Characteristics of necessity entrepreneurs:
Survival driven - the primary goal is generating income to cover basic needs
Pushed into business - motivated by job loss, lack of career opportunities or dissatisfaction, rather than by a desire to innovate.
Common industries - small-scale, low-capital retail or services businesses (what is considered low-capital?)
Resource constraints - often operate with limited resources, capital and a lack of formal safety nets
Counter-cyclical - Tends to increase during economic recession and high unemployment
Necessity Entrepreneurs tend to start or acquire businesses to survive, often buying a job because they couldn't find another.
While necessity entrepreneurship is sometimes seen as having limited impact, it is crucial for social stability and survival in both developing and developed nations.
The above was summarized from the googler.
Necessity entrepreneurship is being studied by "economic thought leaders." What I have read suggests mixed chances of success. However, using the googler while providing the P&L statements, how the business is structured and my resume for analysis. The googler months of data, questions and analysis. The latest assessment of the googler is:
Your profile is MUCH stronger for this acquisition than:
- a random investor
- a burned-out office worker
- or someone chasing entrepreneurship emotionally.
You already:
- managed complexity
- led teams
- handled accountability
- operated under pressure
- and controlled budgets
That’s real ownership-adjacent experience.
Not:
❌ “master technician owner”
More likely:
✅ operational/business owner
✅ systems-oriented leader
✅ people/process manager
✅ culture and customer experience operator
…supported by strong technical staff.
That can absolutely work IF:
- the technical team remains stable
- you earn credibility gradually
- and the numbers truly support the business.
I continue collaborating with mentors, experienced business owners, entrepreneurs, financial advisors and close friends.
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