 |
Quote source : USAToday
Image source : Business Centre
If you've been thinking about starting a business, perhaps you're waiting for "just the right time." But is there ever such a thing as just the right time to go into business for yourself? Sometimes it's the right time, and you're not even aware of it.
When I launched my own company, it wasn't a result of great planning. Like many others, I was stuck in a job I didn't like, burned out. But I didn't know what to do instead. And I had been taught, "Never leave a job until you get another one."
So I kept going to work – dreading every Sunday night because it meant another long work week of drudgery. I was young but felt old. I didn't want another job in my same field. I didn't want to go back to school. I had reached a dead end.
I'd dare say 9 out of 10 reading this can understand that feeling of drudgery every Sunday night. In my case, during the last 2 years of my salaried existence, I dreaded Monday nights because Tuesdays were "department heads meetings" where the boss would shred us to bits, call us unspeakable names and then leave us to meet his expectations with no budget and no support. It was a terrible cycle and ALL of us felt miserable. All we knew was that we wanted out. We would talk of starting our own business, but we kept waiting :
- for money to drop from the sky
- for the "perfect" opportunity to arrive
- for the time when we had "more" experience
- for a "divine signal from above"
Then something unexpected happened: while walking my dog, I met a man who needed help with a project completely unrelated to anything I'd ever done before – developing a business plan.
I had found my calling! As it turns out, I love helping entrepreneurs build companies. It's been my passion ever since. Without planning for it myself, I was in business!
Lots of people find their calling by accident. It's as though a higher power "arranged" the sequence of events to enable them to "stumble" upon this calling.
MOST people find their calling in two old fashioned ways - by hard work or by trial and error. It's easy to read about how people "accidentally found" their niche and expect that the same ought to happen to us. So we wait for some divine intervention and when it doesn't come, we find solace in thinking that "well, it isn't meant to be".
So many of you are thinking to yourself now... "Yeah, that's right... I've got to be bold, be daring... I'm gonna quit my job and BE MY OWN BOSS!".
Before you do that, read on :
What are the indicators that it's time to hang up your own shingle, become your own boss?
- Your skills are in great demand. When your boss can't afford to lose you is when you can most afford to lose your boss. If a lot of companies need people with your abilities, it may be an ideal time to start your own consulting or service company.
- You've developed new skills, interests, or contacts. Perhaps you've gone back to school or finished a training program. Perhaps you've pursued a hobby or been exposed to a new part of the business world that interests you.
- The economy is hot. It's great starting a business in a booming economy: investors have more money, customers have more money, and you probably have more money. That makes it easier to get financing, to secure sales, and to stay optimistic.
- The economy is cold. If you've been downsized – or your employer is in trouble – you've probably got a lot less to lose by starting your own business.
- You're going through life changes. Sometimes the best time to start something new is at a turning point.
- You can't take it anymore. Can't stand your job? Some of the most successful entrepreneurs I know are people who can't stand working for other people.
- You just can't stop thinking about starting your own business.
In the end, despite whatever you've read, heard or seen, one question remains :
Life is short; what are you waiting for?
Hi, your website it very inspiring. I'm 31 and my life is like the scenario you have described above-hate Sunday evenings, Tuesday morning meetings, bosses who are rude and get away with it, etc.
I would like to start something on the side, but I have no idea what, I just know I have to.
hi there, oh what i got from your website was really great. at least it gave me very reasons to belief that i am not yet a failure, that is when i put into practice what i have read. my only problem is, what do i start! it seem all the opportunities have people already working in, and the capital issue as well. give a hand here. thanks for your wonderful work.
Wilfred, many, many people feel like you do. To answer your questions :
Q - what do I start?
A- I know you've heard it too many times to remember, but it's really true - opportunities exist EVERYWHERE. You just need to first believe that you CAN and WILL find an opportunity. How you go about it can be as simple as taking a walk down your local market place or as difficult as taking a degree course in business. I prefer the first method. Most business-minded people I know have a sort of sixth-sense about where to make money. They seem to be able to sniff out money making opportunities anywhere they go. Others (probably like you and me) may need to practise opening our eyes and ears to see what's happening all around us. Here's how you can start getting ideas.
Whenever you see someone doing something or selling something, ask yourself if you could do the same, or if you could provide a service that complements it. If you can, then imagine yourself actually doing it. What would you need to begin? What tools would you need to buy? What are the costs involved.
Now go do your homework. Find the answers to your questions. Look for suppliers and find out the cost of the materials you would need to start up your business. Find out where the suppliers are located.
Q - it seems all the opportunities have people already working in it.
A - Don't be afraid of competition! In fact, don't sell yourself short and start believing (even before you start) that you can't succeed. I assure you most of the people you see working their businesses had to start somewhere! You might be surprised to find that they started off just like you!
Q - and the capital issue as well.
A - My friend, there is no short cuts in life. However, we are fortunate because there are many, many ways to find help. Most countries have special agencies that have been set up to either provide training or funds (or both) to small start up entrepreneurs. Go to your local marketplace. Strike up a conversation with one of the traders. Ask them questions - especially like "Do you need a license to do this business?". If they answer "Yes", then ask them where they got their license from. Then go to the place they mention and ask questions again. If you have an Internet connection available, then Google phrases like "small business training in [your country name]" or "small business loans in [your country name]". The point here is to ask questions and then follow up.
What's happening as you do all that I've mentioned is this - you are actively behaving LIKE an entrepreneur learning how to start his first business. And as you do, you will begin to build confidence in yourself that you CAN do it. At the very least, you will increase your knowledge about what you CAN'T do and that's important as well.
I've learnt that the secret to successful entrepreneurs is this - to NEVER give up and to ALWAYS believe that it's POSSIBLE!
Andrew for PositiveMoneyIdeas.com