It is sad and upsetting to know that even after serving time in a correctional facility or community services for your crimes, your criminal record can still affect your life. One aspect of your life that a criminal record can affect is the professional one. An ex-con or felon who wants to start earning an income for his living or maybe even his family might experience rejections and failures when applying for employment.
This is because many companies and businesses do not like to hire ex-cons and felons. This is due to several reasons:
- Felon’s charges (sexual, theft, etc.)
- Trust issues
- Public image
- Brand reputation
- Thinking about a potential crime at workplaces
Nevertheless, certain laws in place prevent businesses from discriminating against people with minor criminal records when conducting job interviews. In addition, people with criminal records can opt to start their own businesses. There are many benefits of starting your personal business.
Benefits of Having a Personal Business
Flexibility and Decision Making
The foremost benefit of having your own business is the flexibility that comes with it. If the business you are working for is your own, then it is totally up to you how you run it. Hence, having total control over the business decisions and operations gives you the power to avoid any conflicts you might have had in any normal employment.
You decide on your working hours. This way, you can create a favorable work and life balance for yourself.
Being the Boss
You are your own boss. This allows relaxation and relief from any workplace pressure. Of course, this may not be the case initially when you encounter complications while starting a business.
Regardless, you do enjoy certain privileges when running your own business. You decide who to work with and have core decision-making power. Without the hassle of a bureaucracy, you can make faster decisions.
Pride, Encouragement, and Motivation
You are bound to feel proud when your business accomplishes a spectacular milestone. This means that the accomplishment sticks with you. This leads to an increase in the motivation to work and make the business grow.
Thus, there are various benefits of starting your own business. However, what is the key limitations for the people who want to start a business with a previous criminal record?
Difficulties of Starting a Business with a Criminal Record
Starting a business might entail some lifestyle-changing benefits. But starting the business with a criminal record hanging over your head is no easy task. Below are some difficulties that an ex-con may experience when trying to start his/ her business.
Partnering Up in Business
It is not easy to find someone with an open mind who is keen to share his own business with an ex-con or willing to start a business venture with a person with a criminal record. Nonetheless, with the right search, you can find someone who might be willing to do just that. Because some people believe in giving others second chances, and that might be all you need if you have the determination.
Work Posts
Certain professions, such as legal or medical fields, are strictly exclusive in terms of who can represent them. They only prefer professionals with the best track record of obedience and law-abiding citizenship.
Traveling
A business that involves traveling a lot can create hurdles in the start-up. This is because of Visa rejections and other complications due to criminal records.
Licensing and Funding
Many authorities perform background checks before giving a permit for a business start-up. This can create difficulties for those with a criminal record. Moreover, individuals and institutions are slightly reluctant to fund the business from an entrepreneur with a criminal record.
Conclusion
As an aspiring entrepreneur, it doesn’t matter if people are hesitant to trust you due to your criminal record. What takes you further is your will and curiosity for success and excellence. To make your journey easier, opt for Austin, TX bail bonds. Furthermore, find a good Austin criminal lawyer that can provide services for people struggling to start their own business because of a felony charge (criminal record).
