| The focus of this article is to simplify the process of | | | | stop to check your assumptions and make sure they |
| what to look for in starting up your own business. | | | | based as much on reality as possible. |
| There is a great deal of information on what to look | | | | Whether you are in a good economy or a bad |
| for in starting your own business. | | | | economy makes no difference if you are lacking a |
| In fact, most people get bogged down by having too | | | | marketing business plan and the ability to carry it out. It |
| much information. In their quest for clarity and as they | | | | is at this point that you need to have a realistic |
| get more information things start to get less clear. | | | | assessment of your finances. Know what you will |
| When things get less clear, they get confusing. And | | | | need to bring your idea or product to market. Also, |
| when they get too confusing, nothing happens. | | | | know what you will need to live on. This may sound |
| In starting up your own business the first point is that | | | | elementary but it is critical. |
| you must be passionate not just about the idea for the | | | | I have watched too many small businesses fail |
| business, but passionate about the delivery of the | | | | because there was not the money available for |
| product or service. Enthusiasm will make things a 1,000 | | | | marketing and sales. After all, if you have a choice |
| percent better. Too often I see people who fell in love | | | | between taking care of your necessary needs or your |
| with a business idea but who do not love doing the | | | | business which will you choose? Obviously, your |
| actual business. | | | | primary need is to survive. As a result, if funds are too |
| Secondly, there must be a strong desire to succeed. | | | | limited, the business won't have the necessary dollars |
| Desire is the steam necessary to fuel the engine of | | | | to move forward. |
| business success. Small business growth must be | | | | To this point we have covered four areas to look for |
| planted in ground that is watered every day with of | | | | in starting up your own business. |
| enthusiasm and desire. You may have the best | | | | 1. Enthusiam and passion |
| marketing business plan in the world but it won't | | | | 2. Desire |
| happen without your desire and enthusiasm. | | | | 3. Marketing business plan |
| At this point check yourself on your enthusiasm and | | | | 4. Finances |
| desire. If these are in order then let's take a look at | | | | The last point to consider centers around "who" you |
| your reasons for owning your own business. Once | | | | are. If the business you are starting does not honor |
| again there are many reasons for wanting to own | | | | who you are then the preceding points are |
| your own business. Here are a few that I believe are | | | | meaningless. After all, if you aren't doing something that |
| important. | | | | honors you and your gifts and talents then you will be |
| First, in running your own business you want to make a | | | | unhappy. When you are unhappy, you are more likely |
| difference. This will keep your enthusiasm and desire | | | | to fail. |
| at a high level. And, when you want to make a | | | | Why? You won't have the enthusiasm, passion and |
| difference you must understand that different isn't | | | | desire to make the other things happen that you must |
| necessarily better but that better is always different. | | | | have to make your small business successful. Think |
| Understand how you are going to be better. That is | | | | about this. I have observed many businesses where |
| what will attract your clients or customers. Growing | | | | the money wasn't an issue. But, they end up being |
| small business is about who you will attract to use | | | | closed down because the enthusiasm, passion and |
| your products or services. People love something that | | | | desire were gone. |
| is better. | | | | Is money important? You bet it is. But without the |
| Another important aspect to having your small | | | | strong positive emotions to support the logic and |
| business successful is knowing how you are going to | | | | viability of your business on a daily basis the prospect |
| market and sell your product. A successful | | | | of small business failure increases. It increases |
| performance strategy must include a plan for | | | | regardless of the money. Do what you want to do. |
| marketing and sales. It is at this point that you need to | | | | That is where the true success is. |