Navigating the Thrills and Challenges of Business
It might seem odd to place entrepreneurship and BDSM in the same sentence, but hear me out.
Entrepreneurship is often considered a journey of passion, resilience, and relentless pursuit. So in this sense, it shares an intriguing parallel with the world of BDSM – a realm that embodies control, surrender, and exploring one’s limits. Recently, I attended a seminar where the speaker intriguingly compared entrepreneurs to masochists or sadists. He spoke about business being a game of adversity so by choosing it, we’re actively choosing some level of torment. This metaphor struck a chord with me, especially as someone who personally leans towards being submissive in BDSM practices like shibari, candle wax, and more intense experiences.
It led me to ponder: Is entrepreneurship, in its essence, a form of BDSM? This post delves into this unconventional comparison, exploring the nature of entrepreneurship and its surprising similarities to BDSM dynamics.
CTRL ME PLS. 🧙♀️🤖
This was a post I shared on Instagram a while back.
Finally, a meme that’s perfect for a Tech Witch.
One of my favourite aspects of working as a Tech Witch is that I didn’t have all the responsibility of a CEO.
I could contribute creative ideas and bring my own flair to projects, but at the end of the day it was never up to me to figure out where revenue was going to be coming from, or have the full responsibility of product creation, marketing campaigns, delivery, team leadership etc.
Sometimes it’s nice to be behind the scenes… knowing your role is just as important but not having to hold so much responsibility.
It’s also nice to be told what to do.. to have a clear set of tasks, projects, goals and deadlines to meet. And then get rewarded for a job well done. 😜
Can you relate?
Also, the kinda businesses you tend to support as a tech witch are in the spiritual, embodiment, sexuality fields so it ends up being kinda fun to play with these kinks.
Instagram post by me: January 3, 2023
Is Entrepreneurship a Form of BDSM?
At first glance, entrepreneurship and BDSM seem worlds apart. However, the metaphor holds a deeper truth. Both realms involve a degree of risk-taking, pushing boundaries, and, most importantly, a consensual agreement to the challenges and rewards they present. Entrepreneurs, much like participants in BDSM, often find themselves in a dance of control and surrender – they take control of their business ventures, yet must surrender to the unpredictable nature of the market and the inherent risks of their endeavours.
What is Entrepreneurship?
Entrepreneurship is widely regarded as the act of creating and managing a new business venture, with the aim of profit and growth. It’s a path of innovation, risk-taking, and overcoming challenges. In many ways, it’s an adventure, a test of one’s limits and capabilities.
Entrepreneurship falls under the broader category of business and economics. It’s a key driver of economic growth, innovation, and job creation. Entrepreneurs are often seen as vital contributors to the economic and social fabric of society.
The 4 Main Types of Entrepreneurship:
- Small Business Entrepreneurship: This involves small businesses and solo ventures, focusing on a local market.
- Scalable Startup Entrepreneurship: These are businesses that start small but aim for significant growth and global reach.
- Large Company Entrepreneurship: This type involves innovation within existing large companies.
- Social Entrepreneurship: Here, the focus is on solving social problems and creating social change.
What Does Entrepreneurship Involve?
Entrepreneurship involves a multitude of aspects:
- Innovation: Developing new ideas, products, or services.
- Risk-taking: Venturing into the unknown and making decisions with uncertain outcomes.
- Management: Overseeing operations, finances, and strategy.
- Resilience: Facing and overcoming challenges and failures.
The Entrepreneurship and BDSM Connection
In BDSM, the concepts of trust, communication, and setting boundaries are paramount. Similarly, in entrepreneurship, trust in one’s team, clear communication, and understanding one’s limits are crucial for success. Both domains require a deep understanding of oneself and others, and the courage to explore uncharted territories.
Moreover, just as a submissive in BDSM might find fulfilment in surrendering control within agreed boundaries, entrepreneurs often experience a similar thrill in navigating the uncertainties of their ventures. The adrenaline rush, the highs and lows, and the sense of accomplishment in overcoming challenges are common threads linking these seemingly disparate worlds.
My Personal Experiences with Entrepreneurship and BDSM
Reflecting on my personal experiences with entrepreneurship and BDSM, I recognise a pattern of seeking out and thriving in situations that test my limits. The exhilaration of successfully navigating a difficult business scenario mirrors the satisfaction found in a BDSM scene well-played. Both require a keen sense of awareness, an understanding of risks, and a willingness to push oneself in pursuit of a greater goal.
Ever since reading Existential Kink by Carolyn Elliott, I started to apply those practices to scenarios within my business. In doing so it has helped me to understand where my blocks are and how I can move through them in a more pleasurable and easeful way. I turned business into a kink.
Tell me what to do
This is another post I wrote on Instagram when I first started promoting Tech Witch School.
My kink is that I actually like being told what to do.
For all my talk of being a rebel and wanting to go against the rules. And no one can tell me what to do…
Well the truth is, I have just as much desire for someone to just tell me, “this is what you neeed to do, now do it.”
Spell it out for me so I don’t get caught up in decision fatigue.
And if I do it wrong, oooh even better, cos then I can get told off and have to go away and fix it, aka prove I can do it.
So later when I get it right I can be told “good girl” or “I’m proud of you.”
Oh that pesky archetype. Every time I think I’ve gotten away from her, I notice how she’s still playing out in many ways.
I used to hate her. Now I’m aware of her, I can see her as kind of cute. She’s not as loud as she used to be, but every now and then I realise she’s there.
It’s why the Tech Witch path has been so well suited to me. I get the freedom of being able to set my own hours, choose who I work with, and live on my terms.
But I also get to work in teams where I have tasks delegated to me and don’t have to be the one leading.
It feels way more easeful for me to follow a set of directions than try to come up with all the ideas myself.
And even as I build Tech Witch School I’ve ended up with mentors all around me who are far more dominant. I need that, cos if I was left to my own devices I’d take so much longer to get anything done.
This way I’m not allowed to sit in my stories and things actually progress.
Instagram post by me: October 5, 2022
Final words on entrepreneurship and BDSM
While entrepreneurship might not conventionally be classified as a form of BDSM, the parallels are striking. Both are journeys of self-discovery, pushing boundaries, and embracing the challenges that come with them. As an entrepreneur and a BDSM enthusiast, I find these comparisons not just fascinating but also enlightening in understanding my motivations and approach to both business and personal life. Whether in the boardroom or the playroom, the elements of control, risk, and pushing limits are ever-present, making both paths uniquely exhilarating and rewarding.
