There are many misconceptions about self-employment, mostly rooted in unfounded stories about what it takes to be successful. These include:

• Being a type A personality (impatient, competitive, and work-obsessed).
• Working 24/7 on your business, including nights, weekends, and vacations.
• Taking huge risks and obsessively looking for the next big opportunity.
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The list could be longer, but the three common assumptions listed above are the ones that bug me the most because, simply put, I can’t relate to them. I have been self-employed for over twenty-five years. None of these traits have propelled me forward or been necessary to achieve my goals. In fact, they would have taken me out of business long ago.

The number one reason I quit my full-time job in 1997 was a desire for autonomy. I wanted to manage my time, implement my ideas when and how I wanted, and manifest my potential without limitations. I was willing to accept a certain level of instability and uncertainty in return for self-determination.

I share this with you to support readers who dream of self-employment but don’t think they have what it takes to be successful. Take it from me, the self-proclaimed unlikely entrepreneur, you can do it.

Here are the characteristics I rely on to sustain and grow my small business. Check out this list of qualities and see how many you can relate to:

• Self-awareness: Knowing what you stand for, your natural strengths, and things that drain you.
• Belief in Abundance: A deep-rooted understanding that there is enough—enough work, money, and opportunity. I don’t need to be stingy or undercut other people.
• Communication Skills: The ability to connect, listen and compromise. A bonus is the ability to write (even with the advent of AI, I believe your ability to write is invaluable).
• Willingness to Learn Anything: This is your secret weapon. Your competition gets stuck because they are unwilling to learn. You will be a success if you are a thirsty learner.
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So, are you an unlikely entrepreneur? If the answer is yes, you have my full support in pursuing your dreams and contributing your gifts. You will enjoy massive autonomy in return for the inevitable ups and downs of self-employment.