| Have you spent most of your time making someone | | | | example, let's say you are working for a consulting |
| else rich? You have mastered your job and you know | | | | firm. If you could produce some of your own clients |
| you provide value to the company you work for. Do | | | | without being in conflict with your current job, then you |
| you believe that the company you work for, has lost | | | | would be on the right track to get your business going. |
| touch with its original vision? Do you have a burning | | | | Forget about the fancy stationary and mahogany |
| desire to stake on your own and create your own | | | | desks, you need a web page and a brochure to get |
| company? Then maybe it is time to go for it. But, it is | | | | started. |
| not as easy as opening a business and then making | | | | There are of course situations where you need a retail |
| profits a day later. There is research, planning, licensing, | | | | presence in order for people to come to you. I am |
| and preparation that goes into starting your own | | | | currently in the process of opening a natural health |
| business. Even if it is a field that you know very well, it | | | | weight loss clinic. I need to have a clinic in order to bring |
| doesn't mean you will be an instant success. I watched | | | | people in, so I partnered up with someone who already |
| a friend of mine who was good at his consulting job, | | | | operates another type of clinic. I found other people |
| crash and burn when he tried to do it on his own. This | | | | who were interested in operating this type of clinic and |
| friend put more emphasis on appearing to be | | | | I got some much needed funding from them. I am |
| successful before he even had one client. He bought | | | | providing the "know how" and the enthusiasm. I was |
| fancy furniture, remodeled a high rent retail location, | | | | the spark that lit the fire, and I found a need and a |
| and hired a large staff. There was one key ingredient | | | | location. When you are starting your own business, |
| that he was missing and that was clients. He didn't | | | | and your funds are limited you have to be creative. |
| have a clue as to how to bring in clients to his firm. | | | | You might even have to bring in partners, or work out |
| This is often the biggest mistake that people make | | | | of your house at first. If your desire is there and you |
| when starting their own business. They want the | | | | work every day at necessary tasks, you will build your |
| fancy office and the prestige of owning their own | | | | business to be successful. It will be difficult at first and |
| business, and they want to fly before they crawl. This | | | | you will probably put in a lot of hours, but if you keep |
| is a sure fire prescription for disaster. | | | | your eye on the prize you can make it happen. |
| Don't Quit Your Day Job! To truly start your business | | | | Remember, to take small steps to get into the door. |
| and build it to last you must first test the waters. I had | | | | Your key is to take care of the people that are right in |
| the honor of once speaking to Ken Blanchard, who is | | | | front of you and treat them right so they come back |
| the best-selling author of the "One Minute Manager" | | | | and bring more people. |
| series and also the owner of the multinational | | | | If starting a business has always been a desire of |
| management firm "The Ken Blanchard Companies." | | | | yours, then I recommend you start reading some |
| Ken has always been a mentor of mine and I have | | | | books by entrepreneurs that you respect; Like Bill |
| read most of the books that he has written. I spoke to | | | | Gates, or Richard Branson. Get inside their mind from |
| him shortly after he wrote the book, "The One Minute | | | | their perspective and think about yourself from that |
| Entrepreneur". Ken says that you shouldn't quit your | | | | position. Talk to other entrepreneurs and observe |
| day job until you actually are making some income in | | | | some of the good things and the bad things that occur |
| your own business and you are getting busy enough | | | | at your current business. If you really believe that you |
| to drop your current job. He also said that if you are | | | | can provide something better and provide value, then |
| working on your own and you are not making any | | | | you are ready to begin your journey. |
| money then it is a hobby and not a business. As an | | | | |