In recent years the remarkable success of Bermuda's international business sector has made starting a career in the insurance industry in particular a very hot prospect for many young Bermudians. It is undeniable that Bermuda's young people can take advantage of a myriad of career opportunities in the Island's booming international business sector and the professional services companies that support the industry. But not everyone wants to be an underwriter, accountant or banker of course, and even the prospect of working for someone else is not that appealing to some. There is a network of young Bermudians on the Island who have chosen an alternative path and run their own businesses - whether small 'cottage industry' type set ups or technology-oriented companies.

Whether they are furniture makers or graphic designers, homeopathy therapists or plumbers, they have found a niche and are happily making a living charting their own course. For Robert Beale, Craig Laws and Jennifer Phillips taking this path was a decision that has led to a great deal of personal satisfaction, as well as good business. "The greatest plus I would say in working for yourself is the passion and drive it ignites in on you," says Mr. Laws, 31.

Mr. Laws and his wife Darnell established electrical contracting company Brilliant Solutions Ltd. in 2003. "Every morning I get up happy, loving to go to work. The equity it builds isn't bad also!"

"The greatest benefits of working for yourself are being able to plan your own day and work your own hours," says marine mechanical technician Robert Beale. The 24-year-old started his own company, All Round Machining, in October last year, providing marine mechanical engine servicing and repair and metal working services in his Dockyard workshop or on site at customer premises. "This doesn't mean working less during a day," he adds. " (But) if I know that I have work to do I can start early and finish early or work into the night where there are less interruptions from customers and other distractions."

While also extolling the virtues of being your own boss, Jennifer Phillips speaks to the dedication needed to build up a business.

"It's very empowering to be your own boss. It's great to be able to set your own schedule, take vacation whenever you want," she says. " (But) by the same token, it is also a challenge to have the discipline needed. It requires patience and determination, but at the end of the day, I feel it's much more rewarding to be working to increase my own profits, rather than someone else's."

Miss Phillips, 30, is a certified massage therapist who began working for herself last year after an unexpected sojourn in the fashion buying side of Bermuda's retail sector.

"When I returned to Bermuda in 1997 with a degree in International Business Administration, I realised that the last thing I wanted to do was sit behind a desk Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.," she says. "So I ended up being a buyer for The English Sports Shop group, a stint that lasted six years. Just as I never expected to work in the fashion industry, I did not consciously make the decision to go out and start my own business. I guess this career change started with a vacation to New Mexico, which is where I ended up studying massage therapy. I have been interested in massage therapy for almost as long as I can remember, so it makes sense that if I were going to have my own business this would be it."

For Craig Laws the path to his own company was more direct as he was always in his chosen field: "I worked for a reputable electrical contracting business for 15 years, before starting my own business. As in many large corporate entities, there were upward mobility difficulties, environmental issues that helped me to see that my visions needed more freedom. So in May 2003, after returning from a trip to Switzerland where I thought about it, I handed in my resignation and one week later started my business. My wife and I made an initial investment of $400, to open a corporate checking and savings account - $200 each. I know, sounds unreal right? But we are people of faith."

He says the company now has eight employees, ranging in experience from one year to over 25 years, all of whom are Bermudian, and it has expanded to provide a comprehensive range of services for residential, commercial and industrial customers, "from replacing a simple outlet to building a 'Smart Home'; from changing a light bulb to energy management solutions or total building controls; from storage lighting to assembly line controls".

Both Mr. Laws and Mr. Beale began achieving their respective technical qualifications through the programmes run by the National Training Board via Bermuda College and subsequently continued their studies for internationally recognised accreditations overseas before returning to work in Bermuda. For Mr. Beale his preferences in terms of a career were clear quite early, but the decision to start his own business came while he was away.

"When I was younger I would always disassemble toys to find out how they worked to see if I could fix them," he says. "At a young age I realised that I wanted to pursue a career repairing or fixing things. During my studies at New England Institute of Technology we attended a small business management course. This inspired me to initiate my own business. There are many boats on the Island that require constant attention and I have realised the opportunity to provide this service."

He must have had a subconscious desire to work for himself however: "My business started in October but I have spent many years obtaining tooling and equipment. All the start up funds are my savings that I have earned from working during the summer breaks during high school."

As well as enjoying the benefits of self-employment each of these young entrepreneurs has, of course, experienced challenges as they established their operations.

"I would have to say establishing confidence in clients, contractors, architect firms, and financial institutions that we are a competent entity (was the greatest challenge)," says Mr. Laws. "People, though they know your capabilities when serving in other companies, demand persuasion that you can deliver and are worthy of opportunities, and rightfully so.

"Also collecting payments, though most of my clients are reliable," he adds. "There are a few who want the work done immediately but want to pay when they feel like it. That may be OK for a large business but for a small business it can be a crushing blow for its cash flow."

They all talk about the danger of overworking as part of the effort to build up the business.

"A year ago my focus was to build up my clientele, so I would work whenever I got called, including evenings and weekends," says Miss Phillips. "I soon realised that if I didn't set aside time for myself I would probably get burnt out. Now I have a set day off."

She also cites all the necessary administration related to running a business as being quite a reality check.

"It was a bit frustrating having to figure out things like payroll tax when all I wanted to do was give massages! " she says. "The Bermuda Small Business Development Corporation was a great help in that aspect. I was actually surprised at how much I was required to pay out as a newly self-employed individual. That was definitely something that made me have second thoughts about going into this venture."

However, one year later she has no regrets about moving forward with her business plan: "It was daunting to leave the security of a guaranteed salary, and it would have been very easy to go back to my old job. But I'm glad I took the risk. It's such a good feeling to have a client tell me, 'That was the best massage I've ever had!'"

Having seized the moment and launched their own operations, and each expressing appreciation to their supportive families and friends, they each feel that there is a great deal of opportunity for young Bermudians in the local economy - whether in terms of being an employee or self-employed - as long as they prepare themselves adequately.

"There are infinite opportunities for locals here," says Miss Phillips. "I think it is important to be thinking about what profession you would like to work in when you are in high school, even middle school, and take advantage of the summer employment programmes that most business have to get your foot in the door and make business contacts early."

"I do see lots of opportunity for Bermudians in the local economy, especially in the technology, service, and hospitality sectors," says Mr. Laws, who also stresses the need for young people to be proactive in 'creating their destiny' in addition to getting qualified. "The best way to take advantage of it is to be properly educated and certified, and then just roll up your sleeves and get the jobs done, always delivering your best. Don't wait for opportunities to fall in your lap, create them!"

And according to Mr. Beale the emphasis should be on being adequately prepared and sufficiently qualified as an investment for the future rather than simply making quick money, as early mistakes can ultimately affect long-term success for your business.

"There are opportunities for young individuals to make money while performing various skilled trades," he says. "Unfortunately if you're unprepared due to lack of training or necessary tools you can quickly ruin your reputation."

The issue of fostering a good reputation is particularly important since these small businesses do not typically have advertising budgets of any size and tend to rely a great deal on word of mouth referrals. Therefore the need to build good relationships with customers and suppliers is something that all three of these active entrepreneurs emphasise, together with conducting solid preparatory research, having a good business plan and being prepared to make sacrifices to support your business.

"During the start up of a business you must spend money and not expect to see it again while the business is growing," says Mr. Beale.

Above all, however, they feel that anyone thinking about starting their own operation must be passionate about what they are offering.

"You should study market trends and the economy, understand that existing companies have their purpose and place which could be of great value to your career path and the development thereof. But most of all make sure you truly love what you do," says Mr. Laws.

"Make sure the profession you choose is something you are passionate about," Miss Phillips adds. "You have to have that drive in order to persevere through the early stages of setting up the business and eventually be successful."