Gen Z Rejects Working For The Man

A calling

Contempt for the 9-to-5 job feels like a flimsy reason to embark on the perilous journey of starting a business.

Almost half, or 43% of Gen Zers, have no interest in working in a traditional job, according to a 2024 report from Credit Karma, with some looking to start their businesses. Frustration with salaries and less control over schedules are the common reasons behind this shift.

While it’s thrilling to see the entrepreneurial spirit well and alive, building a business rooted in hate for the corporate culture isn’t compelling enough. Entrepreneurship is a calling. What kicks off the business journey is an idea that is so infectious and resilient that the budding entrepreneur can’t resist but devote all their time, resources, and energy to make it come alive.

It reaches a point where every waking hour becomes a working hour dedicated to polishing the business plan. 9-to-5s become 5-to-9s — maybe even longer, and could extend over the weekends. Entrepreneurs lose sleep and money, especially in the initial phase of the business. They’re constantly thinking about what will set their business apart from the competition. 

They take risks, some calculated or done on a whim. Some hobbies take a back seat. And sometimes, their personal life takes a hit.

Perpetual to-do list

This is not to say young people should let go of their dream business. There are numerous underdeveloped ideas and untapped markets out there. But the younger generation must understand that being an entrepreneur does not always mean more freedom to pursue other things.

Owning a business could offer more control and autonomy, which does not necessarily mean working less. When an employee takes a leave of absence from a 9-to-5, someone will take over their tasks for the time being. Business owners do not have this privilege. There’s just so much to be done, be it in accounting, sales, marketing, and client negotiations.

Later on in the businessman’s life, they may have more control over their schedules, but the work will never stop. They will still be in charge of making high-value decisions, which means they must continually keep tabs on the market, the industry, their clients, and competitors. Taking a backseat for a minute could spell the death of the business. 

Nurturing the idea

For the younger generation itching to get out of their corporate jobs to start a business, maybe it’s best to wait it out. There’s much to be learned from the 9-to-5, especially from bosses and experienced colleagues.

Patience is a virtue, as they say. Gen Z workers must take their time to observe how things work, how the business machine operates, and how the higher-ups make decisions and respond to unforeseen circumstances. 

A 9-to-5 offers them a front-row seat to the business landscape — the current demands of the market, the segments that need to be improved, or areas that have massive gaps. Perhaps it is through these lived experiences that a golden nugget of a business idea drops right into the budding entrepreneur’s eager lap. 

The question for your business 

What inspired you to embark on your business venture?

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