When I launched Jorlee Holdings, my Toronto company that provides funding for construction and development projects for clients who don’t qualify for financing from banks and other traditional lending institutions, my primary objective was to help people, as well as the region, by supporting local business, along with their initiatives that help make our region a better place.
Since leaving the legal world behind and making the move into finance, my team and I have funded many projects, including View Point Estates in Bradford, Ontario. The entrepreneurial journey is a fun and interesting one. It’s not for everyone, of course, but if you’re a business-minded individual, consider these five benefits to starting your own business. The work. Most people who become entrepreneurs do so because there’s something they want to do. In some cases, they leave one industry or field and go into another. That’s essentially what I did, moving from law to the lending industry. And I can truly say that I love what I do. It’s personally satisfying and professionally gratifying to lead Jorlee Holdings, in part because no two days are ever exactly the same. As an added bonus, I get to see the projects on which my clients are working, and know that we’re making a difference at Jorlee Holdings. The people. In our company, we’re known for providing excellent customer service combined with high ethical standards and complete discretion. While our business has grown substantially over the years, our staff has remained small. They’re knowledgeable financial experts who provide clients with personal service, and they’re also terrific people. I consider myself fortunate to work on a daily basis with a team of people I really like. I respect them, provide them with the autonomy they need to do their jobs well and encourage them to talk to me anytime they need input or advice, or simply want to propose a new idea. My team and I spend a lot of time together and enjoy working in a collaborative environment. The clients. How fortunate are you when you know you’re making a profound difference in peoples’ lives? At our company, we make a difference on two fronts. The people and businesses who invest money with us enhance the quality of their lives, and the people to whom we lend or for whom we arrange financing also experience an improvement in the quality of theirs. Everyone who starts a company knows the value of providing excellent service to each and every client. It’s great when you have a portfolio of wonderful clients who enjoy working with you as much as you do with them. They not only keep our business running, but are also great people working on some remarkable projects. The freedom. Some people are workaholics, some aren’t. But what attracts many people to entrepreneurship is the personal freedom attached to it. When you own a company, you make your own hours, but even more important, you make your own decisions. You have the freedom to do so much more than you ever will working for an employer. Now don’t get me wrong. Over the course of my career I’ve worked for my share of exemplary supervisors and mentors, some of whom taught me a lot about business. The point is that when you’re in charge, you have the freedom to chart your own course. And as much as I genuinely love what I do and wouldn’t change anything, I love having the freedom to shut off my phone and spend time traveling and taking part in activities with my children. |