Founding your own business is an exciting step into controlling your own destiny. It may sound like an intimidating venture, but nothing beats the feeling of taking a leap of faith and succeeding. After all, there must be some reason why over half a million new businesses get started every month. Whether you want to gain more independence or pursue your passion, there are many advantages of owning a business.

Why start your own company?

1. You’re in control

You’re the one sitting in the driver’s seat now. Not only are you your own boss, but the advantages of owning a business also extend to setting your own hours and deadlines, making the decisions, and controlling the company culture. You have unlimited freedom to create your business’ path.

2. Building something of your own

By opening a small business, you get to shape your own dreams and future. Nothing beats the sense of pride you feel in building something that is completely yours. Moreover, you may start a business that will outlive you and you can pass on to future generations.

3. Following your passion

Many of the advantages of owning a business aren’t necessarily money related, it’s the art of creating something that you truly own and love that makes it worth it. When you follow your passion, you’ll wake up every single day motivated to go to work. The long hours you invest in the company won’t even feel like work, because you’re actually doing what you want to do.

4. Helping people

96 percent of business owners say that their ability to help their clients was one of the top advantages of owning a business. Additionally, small business owners are not only developing people skills, but are also creating jobs within the local community. After all, the best form of charity is giving someone a job.

5. Creating your own work/life balance

Another perk of small business ownership is that it provides the lifestyle flexibility necessary to raise a family and still have a successful career. You get to set priorities in scheduling your days. When you’re the boss, you don’t have to justify taking a day off if your kid is having a sick day. This flexibility is hard to find in any other job.

6. Choosing the people you work with

When you work for someone else, you rarely get to choose your co-workers. If you don’t like the people you work with, then you better start sending out your resume for a new job. This issue, however, is almost completely eliminated by owning your own business. You’re the one deciding who to hire (and fire).

7. Making more money

Some businesses make a lot of money, while others don’t. Although most successful small businesses provide their owners with a living salary, small business ownership still opens up the possibility of making more money than you could possibly make as an employee.

Moreover, even if you aren’t earning a fortune, you’re still gaining financial independence. However you define this independence – unlimited cash potential, retirement stockpile, or having the money to buy whatever you want – it’s up to you. Money doesn’t buy happiness, but it remains a great reason to start a business.

8. Challenging yourself

One of the benefits of running your own business is that it doesn’t provide you with a routine job. Most business owners aren’t performing the same tasks day after day. The life of an entrepreneur is filled with new opportunities to challenge yourself, be creative, and learn something new every single day.

9. Becoming an expert

No matter what business you’re in as an entrepreneur, if you stick with it, you’ll probably become very good at it. You’ll also get to mentor individuals who are trying to get into the same business and develop strong relationships. Further advantages of owning a business extend to having the chance to be interviewed for your expertise, writing about it, and spreading your message.

10. Gaining a wide skill set

Business ownership forces you to learn new skills in order to survive in the business. Your knowledge will extend from marketing techniques to accounting, operations, and finance. You’ll learn everything under the sun from SEO to building a spreadsheet, and social media to balancing a budget. You’ll also have to stay up-to-date on the latest technology, tools, consumer trends, and industry news.

It may be tough and take a little bit of time to polish these skills, but it will pay off big time in the long run. These skills are invaluable throughout your life, and you would’ve never learned them if you didn’t open a small business.

11. Deleting the “what-ifs” in your life

Most of us are passionate about something, so why not turn it into a career? A 9 to 5 job may provide you with a sense of security, but may not fulfill you. The many advantages of owning a business include looking forward to doing something you’re passionate about and having freedom with your own time.

Starting a business might sound scary, but you’ll never know what it’s like until you try it. Even if your company fails, you’ll never have to ask yourself “what-if?”

The advantages of owning a business are endless. Are you ready to get started, but lack the necessary funds? Then invoice factoring might be perfect for you. A factoring company will provide you with the funds necessary to grow your business almost immediately. Why wait?