Once again the economy has shown why starting your own business is a sound financial decision.

I was watching the local St. Louis, Missouri newscast. It was reported that Chrysler, a major employer in this region, will be cutting the workforce by nearly 2,400 employees.

Another major employer in this region is Anheuser-Busch. The news from that company was not to good either. They will be cutting back on pension payouts and also requiring employees to pay for a larger portion of their own health insurance benefits.

The Chrysler employees that poured all their time & effort into these jobs are wondering what they are going to do for employment now. The Ford plant already closed its doors some time ago leaving even more workers out in the cold.

Pensions And Benefits: Gone In A Blink Of The Eye

People working for big corporations like Anheuser-Busch thought that they had a good job with a guaranteed pension and benefits. Now they are finding out that these pensions and benefits can be “adjusted” according to what the management decides is good for the company or more specifically the stockholders.

It's not about the dedicated people who show up everyday and put all their energy into producing a product. It's about profit and keeping the stockholders happy.

Working for any company, no matter how good management treats the employees, always means that you will be working for the benefit of someone else. Yes, you get compensated for your time but unlike the old days, where the investment an employee put into a company in time and effort paid off in a good retirement pension, now an employee is more likely to be faced with loosing their job to downsizing or face relocation to stay employed. If they make it to retirement with the same company there is no longer any guarantee that the pension they worked hard for will still be there when they need it the most.

Do You Have A Backup Plan?

Wouldn't it be nice to have a backup plan? Robert Kiyosaki, famous for his Rich Dad, Poor Dad book, stated, “Many people fail to become rich because they value a steady paycheck rather than going through the learning process of becoming financially smarter. The No.1 thing people can do to increase their wealth is to start a part-time business.” Donald Trump put it this way, “Don't depend on anyone but yourself for providing financial security.” These days even that steady paycheck is no longer something that the average worker can count on.

I guess I was pretty good at “reading the writing on the wall”. Before I heard this advice from Kiyosaki & Trump I knew that starting my own home-based business was the only way that I could be sure of a good, steady income.

Having my own business means that the amount of work I put into making a profit comes directly back to me instead of going to stockholders. I can decide how much to put into a retirement fund and when I do retire it is mine and not doled out on the whims of accountants trying to keep the stockholders happy with their return on investment. I will not be downsized and if I relocate it is because I decide to and not as a desperate move to keep my job.

Start Growing Your Own Business On A Part Time Basis

I am not telling anyone that they should quit their “day job” and work on starting a business. But, what I do recommend is, while you are still employed and bringing in a regular paycheck, look into starting your own business on a part-time basis. Grow that business slowly in your spare time away from your “day job”.

If you should suddenly find yourself, like the Chrysler workers, without a steady paycheck then you can fall back on the business you've been building part-time. Once you can devote all your efforts to building on the foundation you started, your business will grow to create full time financial security.

Network Marketing Or MLM: The Best Opportunity

Network Marketing provides one of the best opportunities for someone with limited business experience to get started as a business owner. Even Robert Kiyosaki recommended Network Marketing as a good place for someone to get started with their own business. This is the path I have taken.

Not too long ago I would never have considered starting my own business and would never have considered Network Marketing. I now fully understand the advantages of joining a Network Marketing Company.

Now that I have got my “entrepreneurial feet” under me I am watching my business grow. I have also grown in my knowledge and confidence as a business owner. I know that no matter what happens in the corporate world I will be writing my own paychecks and never have to rely on anyone but myself to insure a successful financial future.

Check out my Squidoo Lens reviewing an article from Success Magazine, “Network Marketing Equals Flexibility & Financial Freedom: Advice From Success Magazine”.

To learn more about my own personal journey with building a business visit my blog, Marketing Success Journal.

Sandy Kern is an internet marketing coach using Renegade University to help others to get started and achieve success with their own Network Marketing or MLM business. Click here to learn more about Sandy & Renegade University.