Why Millennials Are Shunning The 9-5 To Make Their Own Destiny
Corporate life is looking increasingly less attractive as a career path by Millennials who are turning to small business.
According to a new survey conducted by REST Industry Super, more than a third of Australians aged 18-34 can see themselves owning their own business.
The survey of 1000 young Aussies delved into their attitudes towards business, property ownership and retirement also found 59 percent are willing to take a pay cut to work in a field they're more passionate about.
Business owner Jessica Cameron, 27, says being young is absolutely the best time to stretch your entrepreneurial wings.
"If you are ever going to do it, you've got to do it while you're young, before you've got the commitments of a mortgage or children, before you need that solid income stream," she told The Huffington Post Australia.
Cameron gave up her career as an intellectual property lawyer to open an online luxury pet accessories store, Haus of Hund, and says despite the financial uncertainty that naturally comes with being a business owner and a large drop in her income, she has never been happier.
"I know some people are very money-driven and that's what makes them happy and to earn gives them satisfaction -- I've never really had that," she said.
"There have been massive changes in terms of income but I am happy and that's all that matters."
Cameron saved up and self-funded her venture, but Haus of Hund is growing so well that Cameron has now employed her sister Ebony to help manage the day-to-day operations.
And she's delighted to be making her startup dream a reality.
"Past me would have been surprised that this is something I could do," she said. "I probably didn't think I had the talent to do it. I didn't realise it is something that is achievable for everyone if they want it and if you have the time, commitment and all the startup capital to do it."