Several months ago I sat in a room with a group of small business folks who had congregated for a small business seminar. There was every type of entrepreneur imaginable in that room including the fifty something woman who seemed proud of the fact that she didn’t know how to use the internet and wasn’t much interested in learning. There was the young girl who was quite full of herself that would have taken over the room if the moderator had allowed it. There was a late 30’s something business man in an Italian suit and several others who make a habit of turning up at these seminars as they get ready to launch their new venture. As the interaction continued and everyone began to share their pain, it became apparent that nearly 90% of the people in the room were very busy getting ready to get ready to start their businesses.
I was intrigued by this but I also understood. Going into business is scary. There are so many pitfalls and potholes that we can very unceremoniously land in. And a myriad of personal insecurities will most assuredly crop up when starting any new business venture. What if I don’t have any money? What if I put my life savings into my venture and it doesn’t work out? I don’t know anything about hiring employees. How do I start? Who will do my books? Do I trust someone other than myself to do it? But I hate accounting. What if I succeed? How will I handle the money? What if I don’t have enough time in my day to do everything I need to do? Will my home life suffer? Should I continue working my 40 hour work week while I’m starting my business or should I quit and just jump in? I need funding. How will I find someone to help me figure out how to find it? My elderly mom needs help. I don’t think I’ll have enough time to take care of her and start a business.
Believe me when I say that I’ve been there and I have suffered through my own list of insecurities. It’s not easy. But dedication to your business really needs to be item number one on your to do list every day. And you need to think each step through, find qualified people to help, and trust your instincts. Most people go into business because they are passionate about what they are trying to. Or maybe you have a talent that you know can make you the cash you need to live a decent lifestyle and you’re just not feeling the love from your employer.
The bottom line here is simple. There are many reasons to get started with your own business. Whether it’s personal gain, a passion for what you’re trying to do or maybe you want to change the world. All of these are great reasons to get started. But the one thing I know for sure is that the only real way to get started is to START. Seminars are great. Books will give you the background you need. But it’s up to you to jump in and Just Do It!
