Dadpreneurs, Here’s To You!

There are many reasons to work hard in your business, but for my money, the best, most rewarding reason is that it should allow you the freedom to be the kind of dad you want to be, however that looks, and it can look many different ways, that’s for sure:



For instance, I have an old friend who worked from home for many years. Why? Because he wanted to spend as much time as he could with his kids. That meant knocking off work at 3 p.m. so he could be there when they got home from school, and then starting to work again around 9 p.m. after they went to bed. He coached their sports teams and helped with homework. He worked only hard enough to make enough so they could all live comfortably, and any time beyond that was devoted to his kids. He was an entrepreneur second so he could be a father first. It was a good lesson.

Other fathers take a different, albeit no less idealistic, track. For these dads, quality, not quantity, is what is important. For them, working hard and making a lot of money is what counts because their priority is to secure a financial future for their family. No, they may not be around as much as my pal, but their love and devotion to their kids is no less, knowing that over the long term, creating a nest egg can make a big difference.

And what about those great dads who spend time creating a business of value, all the time dreaming that they will be able to not only pass it on to their children, but hopefully be able to bring them in when the time is right and thereby get to work with their kids? Creating a family business is a great way to say "I love you."

And what about those dads who work their tail off, putting in a lot of hours into their business or career, and still somehow find time to be a Cub Scout leader, or school volunteer, or basketball coach? It is no easy feat to work full-time, be the main bread winner, be the husband, and also be the dad you want to be.

And finally, there is the dad who works hard, builds a business, teaches his kids to be smart, loving, independent, kind, thoughtful people, instills a love of entrepreneurship and freedom in them, and had a great sense of fun, and humor. That was my dad.

To all of the dads out there, the men who love their children and show it in so many different ways, the guys who work hard to make a difference in the lives of those who depend upon them, and who also find time to have a career or build a business the family can be proud of, I say bravo. Congratulations. Good job. Thanks.
Tip: What is a dad but a great mentor? If you were not lucky enough to have a dad who mentored you in business, you can still find a business mentor by using these tips from SCORE.