"...Any business is a good business..." a friend of mine told me once. This means that to be in business is already a great achievement. But why do people start multiple businesses? In my case, I own three other companies, related to the web/internet industry that are doing great. But, again, why would I start a separate operation, under a new brand and a completely different focus to business? Its hard to answer, and I guess no one knows exactly the actual reason. Some people are just like that, they need the adrenaline, the focus and the experience, that a new business brings to the table. Its stuff that you dont get to learn anywhere, you just have to do it, and to be great it is an iterative process.
If it makes sense, it depends on who you are and your life goals. Some people, are fine with one business where they do OK, which is valid, and some others (serial entrepreneurs) feel that building once, and doing it for a lifetime, is boring and doesn't bring any excitement after years doing the same job. With so much stuff going on for web people, to not build is to loose time, big time. Build, ship, build and ship. Thats a nice process. get feedback, and keep building until the market is there.
Once you ve been through this, it is addictive. And you need to do it again and again, focusing on different markets, different groups of people, different technologies, etc
Maybe you dont hit a home run, but you had fun, learned and created value for a lot of people. Also, the sum of all business may find you on an amazing position. That may be the reason and why it will always make sense to start a new business.
January 25, 2011 Posted by diego