More Professionals Want to Be Their Own Boss — But Want Power Too

What the Data Reveals

The report highlights a key contrast: about 65% of self-employed professionals say they feel they have control over their careers, compared to only 45% of people working in more traditional jobs. That gap suggests that autonomy and influence over your day-to-day work are major reasons people consider branching out.

A few other findings stand out:

• Many professionals see the allure of being their own boss as not just financial — it’s about having a say in direction, flexibility, and agency.
• Some obstacles remain: uncertainty, lack of support systems, and the comfort or safety of steady employment hold people back.
• Even among those who already work for themselves, the desire to build scalability, pass on structures, or avoid burnout shows up often.

When Autonomy Becomes Ambition

Wanting control doesn’t always mean quitting your job — it means designing your work so it fits you. When professionals start treating autonomy as a strategic goal, you find the ones who don’t just survive in independence — they thrive.