Why are you building your business?

For me, this time it's personal......

AND it's the first time I wanted to do it alone and not with a business partner initially! That thought process has and is changing a little for varying reasons eg going faster, sharing the love, the ability to get in great talent when bootstrapped and being convincing that I can offer Shareholders/Partners something semi concrete and life changing in way of a 'number' for a 5 year+ commitment is becoming more compelling etc, etc however 13 months in I'm still flying solo as 100% shareholder today :)

I'm building again this time as I definitely still have a ridiculous amount of drive, energy and I want to put that to good use and I think the learning I have from large corporates, countless acquisitions and integrations (when I worked at larger businesses) and the experience of growing, scaling and selling a couple of businesses can help others, and I do like helping and see businesses and people grow & develop.

I was crystal clear at the outset with building The Grafter that this was going to be a remote first business for a couple of key reasons;

1) Despite the promises of global warming (without the climate crew shooting me down in flames) I prefer to live and operate with a pair of shorts on as much of the year as possible and that just isn't looking likely in the UK. I want to flex to be 75% of the time working from a warmer climate (commutable distance thou whilst the business is young)

2) I also want to be able to harness talent UK wide and globally. Having the best people for the job is key for me. Not having to hire locally, even grow talent through at this early stage purely accessing the 'creme de la creme' and the reality is a lot of people have changed how and where they work over the last few years and I want to acknowledge that.

So why are you building your business? Is it to scratch an itch? Are you looking to achieve that massive Exit? Something to prove to yourself or someone else? A first timer who has bags of energy and drive and everything to play for?