Notorious R.O.B.

There is a viral YouTube video going around right now, a “parody/spoof” of Jay-Z’s “Empire State of Mind” with Alicia Keys.  Here it is, in case you haven’t seen it:

I understand that the people behind the video, one Pantless Knights, were making a parody.  I hope to God that they’re ridiculing the people being held up as examples of successful entrepreneurs by the media.  The intro in the sidebar hints that may be the case:

This is a Pantless Knights tribute to our favorite entrepreneurs (who are all “new dorks”). It’s a spoof of Jay-Z and Alicia Keys’ “Empire State of Mind,” from the guys behind Grasshopper.com (thank you!). We made it because there’s a new type of dork that is cooler than ever. Look at tech entrepreneurs, hipsters, Computer Science Barbie – they’re all super popular new dorks! Don’t forget to rate, comment and subscribe!

Trouble is, even if Pantless Knights were ridiculing the hipsters and Computer Science Barbies who flock to the latest get-rich-quick schemes that make up so much of the “Web 2.0/social media” world, there are entirely too many slackoisies in that industry making fools of themselves and cheapening the word “entrepreneur”.

Let me rage properly at these fools.

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when you told them that you were going to pursue being a real estate agent?

I’ve never been one, but I have started my own company, and this post really resonated with me.

But the most interesting thing that came out of our conversation that day was this…my friend said that a co-worker former co-worker asked him, “Do you think you be able to find another job like this one.” To which my friend said, “A job like this one…where I am underpaid and there’s no chance for advancement…yeah I can find “that” job. Those are everywhere.”

Working for myself has opened my eyes to a lot of things. Mainly, I could have been a better employee to former employers and living below your means allows you to do “stupid” things like quit your job and start your own business. It’s an adventure and trying at times, but most things worth doing aren’t easy.

Thing is, I figure, real estate agents are all independent contractors who don’t get paid, don’t get health insurance, etc.  They eat what they kill, as far as I know.  It’s sorta like starting your own business.

What sort of responses did y’all get when you told your friends and family you were going to do real estate?  Horror? That look of pity? Congratulations?

-rsh