The 9 to 5 grind isn't for everyone but how do you know if you're ready bust out of working for someone else and become your own boss? Start by asking yourself these questions:
Do you wake up Monday morning and wish it were Friday already?
Do you feel unsatisfied with your current job or wish you had more flexibility?
Are you tired of getting a paycheck for doing something you hate?
Are you antsy to finally do something for yourself?
Are you a professional who is looking to change career paths entirely?
Are you burning out in the corporate world?
Have you ever thought of turning your hobby into a career?
Whether you're a younger or older woman, a stay-at-home mom or a career woman, if you answered yes to any of these questions, you just may be ready to get off the fence and START YOUR OWN BUSINESS. And while this path may not be for everyone, I will tell you with great certainty, that each one of you, with the willpower and proper guidance, can do it!
You should know that very few things in life will bring you more self confidence, more gratification, or more financial gain than being your own boss. It's time to awaken the sleepy or perhaps complacent side of yourself, shake things up a little, and show you that it’s not that difficult to get moving.
Here are a few tips from my upcoming book The 99 Things Women Wish They Knew Before… Starting Their Own Business to get you moving. This is not a crash course on Women’s Entrepreneurship 101 and writing business plans, motivating employees or finding investors. It's about getting off the fence and deciding that now could be the time. Your time. That starting your own business, be it a small home-based business or something larger, could be your calling, as it was mine.
Here are a few quick tips to get you on your way…
You Don’t Need Money to Start a Business… You Need Heart.
A bank or a family member could hand you a check for $50,000 to start your own endeavour, but if you don’t have the fire, the passion, and the heart as well as the business idea, you might as well throw that check right into a burning fire. Think about all the successful people you know… Richard Branson, Steve Jobs, Oprah Winfrey… Don’t they make it all seem so easy and effortless? Can’t you just see the sparkle in their eyes, and feel the fire in their soul? It’s infectious. But your heart has to be in it.
Love the Work You Do, and Your Road to Success Will Be a Lot Quicker
There is a quote that I love. It goes… “Find a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.” – Confucius. If you find something you love to do, it will never feel like “work.” This is so true. So, before taking the plunge, think: “Am I going to love this in 5 years? In 10 years? In 20 years?” I know that may be hard to imagine, but you have to envision yourself doing it day in and day out for a very long time. If you can’t, you haven’t unlocked your passion.
Think Big. Start Small
Ok, so you’re thinking about it, so why not make it the best it can be and aim for the stars? But before you go quitting your day job, you can still plan the dream and move with caution. In fact, most successful businesses today, such as Microsoft, started with this motto… “Think Big, Start Small.” There is a tremendous amount of commitment required on your end to make it successful, and there is no shame in starting small.
Think of some of the most beautiful trees or flowers you’ve planted. The earth is laid, the seed is planted, and with the right amount of light and water, slowly, you start to grow a big, beautiful plant. Your business will need the same kind of nurturing. Plant the seed, give it the love and attention it needs, and slowly you will watch it grow.
So if you’ve got the itch, I say scratch it! Now is a great time to grab a pen and paper, or your computer, head to Starbucks, and start mapping out your plan.
I wish you all the success in the world in starting your new venture. What an incredible opportunity! What an incredible journey it will be. You will be embraced into a huge club of MOMPreneurs, Entrepreneurs, and risk-takers. It’s a fun club to be in! Are you ready? If you are, buckle up, and get ready for the ride of your life.
Tell us, have you been thinking about starting your own business? Have you always wanted to be an entrepreneur? In what field? What’s your dream? What does your vision board look like? What are you doing to make it a reality? We’d love to hear!
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