Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to all of the amazing fathers, grandfathers, and fatherly figures in our day-to-day lives—today is for you! To celebrate, we'd like to take a moment to spotlight one of our awesome members, Corey. Corey has been self-employed since 2014, and he recently began digital marketing. He lives in Walnut Creek, California.

Corey, what inspired you to be self-employed?

I was so tired of being over worked and feeling my efforts weren't being rewarded working for an employer. Plus I always had to ask my boss for time off and I just didn't have enough time left in the day to spend with my 4-year-old son.

How has being self-employed made a positive change in your life?

Now that I'm self-employed, I'm in a position where I'll be able to quit commuting, work from anywhere, spend more time with my dear son, and build the kind of life I've always wanted. It's so liberating to be working on something that belongs completely to me. There absolutely is more responsibility, but it's the kind that gives me more pride in my work and drives me to be a better, more capable person. I'm "at work" right now, sitting in a plush leather chair at a local coffee shop, just a 5 minute walk from my home. I get to attend events and seminars where I meet like-minded people and hear from highly successful speakers. It's definitely a permanent break from the 9-5 life and I welcome it with open arms.

What advice would you share with fathers to work for themselves?

If you want to work for yourself, or you already do but haven't found the right type of work... keep looking. Your future self will thank you for being relentless in the search to better yourself. The right opportunity will fulfill your needs as well as your ability to provide for your loved ones. Don't let those around you deter you from trying new ventures. Assess the risks, take on new entrepreneurial challenges, and you will surprise yourself by achieving more than you thought possible. There are people and resources that can help you no matter what type of work interests you. I'm grateful for all the new contacts and support groups I've found recently. Without them, I never would've had the courage to do what I do now. Cheers!