If you get it right the rewards can be huge, says Richard Lago, director of recruitment at Pursuit NHA International. "People can make money for themselves rather than for a faceless corporation and setting up your own venture can make you a fortune."
But money is not the only motivation for many of those who leave for small companies  they yearn for greater responsibility and control. Some want, and get, total autonomy to run the company their way, or at least get closer to the business decisions.
"Many get frustrated with corporate bureaucracy and are unable to follow an idea so leave to pursue it on their own," says Martin Thorley, chief executive of food and drink recruitment specialist Merston Peters.
Often the crunch time is when they appear to have hit that glass ceiling where the likelihood of further promotion or a new challenge is low, according to Lago. Moving to a small company can be the only way to find a fresh challenge. "Corporate life can get Working at top level for a major multinational with big brands, huge budgets and cutting edge product devlopment facilities should be as good as it gets. Yet many senior managers and directors are ditching secure corporate lifestyles to start up their own business - despite the fact that the majority of such ventures fold within the first few years.
If you get it right the rewards can be huge, says Richard Lago, director of recruitment at Pursuit NHA International. "People can make money for themselves rather than for a faceless corporation and setting up your own venture can make you a fortune."
But money is not the only motivation for many of those who leave for small companies - they yearn for greater responsibility and control. Some want, and get, total autonomy to run the company their way, or at least get closer to the business decisions.
"Many get frustrated with corporate bureaucracy and are unable to follow an idea so leave to pursue it on their own", days Martin Thorley, chief executive of food and drink recruitment specialist Merston Peters.
Often the crunch time is when they appear to have hit that glass ceiling where the likelihoodof further promotion or a new challenge is low, according to Lago. Moving to a small companycan be the onlyway to find a fresh challenge. "Corporate life can get boring and after a time you can start to feel that you have done it all and got the T-shirt," says Lago.
The stagnant economy actually promotes this behaviour as the large corporations tighten their belts, go back to basics and become risk adverse. As a result innovation drops away so entrepreneurs step out of the closet to search for missed opportunities.
Thorley also believes that the food industry's consolidation is kicking in, which means there is "less space for the big fish which creates opportunities for smaller businesses".
But he reckons the transition would not suit most people who work for large corporations.
"Their mindset is not entrepreneurial, risk-taking or creative and they enjoy the security, structure and sense of belonging that goes with working for a multinational."
But if you are thinking of taking the plunge, it's worth remembering that if the worst happens and the new firm folds  your old job, or even a similar one, may not be waiting for you. "Don't expect to be able to walk back into corporate life," warns Lago. "They will be very suspicious of you and fear that you have entrepreneurial wanderlust' and that you will leave again.
"In addition, once your corporate blinkers are removed it is difficult to go back to the constraints of a large corporation," he says.
Happily, the three executives profiled here by The Grocer have no reason to move backwards. Their businesses are booming and each has achieved what they appeared to want most  autonomy.
{{ANALYSIS }}
But money is not the only motivation for many of those who leave for small companies  they yearn for greater responsibility and control. Some want, and get, total autonomy to run the company their way, or at least get closer to the business decisions.
"Many get frustrated with corporate bureaucracy and are unable to follow an idea so leave to pursue it on their own," says Martin Thorley, chief executive of food and drink recruitment specialist Merston Peters.
Often the crunch time is when they appear to have hit that glass ceiling where the likelihood of further promotion or a new challenge is low, according to Lago. Moving to a small company can be the only way to find a fresh challenge. "Corporate life can get Working at top level for a major multinational with big brands, huge budgets and cutting edge product devlopment facilities should be as good as it gets. Yet many senior managers and directors are ditching secure corporate lifestyles to start up their own business - despite the fact that the majority of such ventures fold within the first few years.
If you get it right the rewards can be huge, says Richard Lago, director of recruitment at Pursuit NHA International. "People can make money for themselves rather than for a faceless corporation and setting up your own venture can make you a fortune."
But money is not the only motivation for many of those who leave for small companies - they yearn for greater responsibility and control. Some want, and get, total autonomy to run the company their way, or at least get closer to the business decisions.
"Many get frustrated with corporate bureaucracy and are unable to follow an idea so leave to pursue it on their own", days Martin Thorley, chief executive of food and drink recruitment specialist Merston Peters.
Often the crunch time is when they appear to have hit that glass ceiling where the likelihoodof further promotion or a new challenge is low, according to Lago. Moving to a small companycan be the onlyway to find a fresh challenge. "Corporate life can get boring and after a time you can start to feel that you have done it all and got the T-shirt," says Lago.
The stagnant economy actually promotes this behaviour as the large corporations tighten their belts, go back to basics and become risk adverse. As a result innovation drops away so entrepreneurs step out of the closet to search for missed opportunities.
Thorley also believes that the food industry's consolidation is kicking in, which means there is "less space for the big fish which creates opportunities for smaller businesses".
But he reckons the transition would not suit most people who work for large corporations.
"Their mindset is not entrepreneurial, risk-taking or creative and they enjoy the security, structure and sense of belonging that goes with working for a multinational."
But if you are thinking of taking the plunge, it's worth remembering that if the worst happens and the new firm folds  your old job, or even a similar one, may not be waiting for you. "Don't expect to be able to walk back into corporate life," warns Lago. "They will be very suspicious of you and fear that you have entrepreneurial wanderlust' and that you will leave again.
"In addition, once your corporate blinkers are removed it is difficult to go back to the constraints of a large corporation," he says.
Happily, the three executives profiled here by The Grocer have no reason to move backwards. Their businesses are booming and each has achieved what they appeared to want most  autonomy.
{{ANALYSIS }}
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