| Valid reasons to not start your own business do exist, | | | | Not Knowing the Requirements |
| however, many commonly used reasons have simple | | | | This problem is easily solved by asking questions. Start |
| solutions. Not knowing what business to start, not | | | | with your local Chamber of Commerce. Oftentimes, |
| having the money, not knowing the requirements for | | | | they will have a packet of information already made |
| starting a business, not having a support system or the | | | | up for would be entrepreneurs. Talk with a tax advisor. |
| time are five of the top reasons preventing people | | | | Consider talking with an attorney about legal matters, |
| from taking charge of their lives. Herein are some | | | | copyrights, licensing, contracts and your business |
| solutions to these problems. | | | | structure. |
| Not Knowing What Business to Start | | | | Not Having a Support System |
| The surest way to success is to find something you | | | | Great support systems do not just happen, they are |
| are passionate about, then find a way to make money | | | | created. You can find a mentor through SCORE, a |
| doing it. This should be your first step to starting your | | | | nonprofit organization dedicated to counseling small |
| own business. First, find something you would enjoy | | | | business owners. The Small Business Association also |
| doing for many hours a day, at least five days a | | | | has a free program, the Small Business Development |
| week, even if you made no money. Second, look into | | | | Center, that offers support to current and prospective |
| your choice to find a specialty area. Don't settle for | | | | small business owners. You can find both of these |
| "making furniture" when "making colonial style furniture | | | | organizations on the internet. |
| for children's playhouses" would be much easier to | | | | Join an online forum for people with similar goals. |
| market because it very quickly determines your target | | | | Create a local support group, meet once a month to |
| market. | | | | discuss your goals, challenges and generally encourage |
| Don't have a passion? Try picking up a few business | | | | each other. Contact the Small Business Association. |
| magazines to see some trends and possibly find the | | | | Search the web for other small business resources. |
| spark to inspire you to start your own business. | | | | A great support system starts with you. If you don't |
| Not Having Any or Enough Money | | | | believe in yourself, it will be hard to convince others to |
| If you need to borrow money, do a lot of research. | | | | believe in you, especially customers. Take the |
| There are many options. It is not recommended to use | | | | necessary steps to build your self-confidence. Any |
| credit cards to finance your business. Other options | | | | costs will be offset by the impact a positive attitude |
| include small business or home equity loans through | | | | will have on your business. |
| local or large chain banks, the small business | | | | Not Having the Time |
| association, Prosper.com, and venture capitalists. | | | | You have no less time than anyone else. Everyone |
| Borrowing from friends and family may be a viable | | | | has 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If something is |
| option for you. | | | | important to you, you will find the time. We all prioritize |
| By far, the best way to purchase anything is to save | | | | our lives, either consciously or subconsciously. Become |
| the needed money and pay cash. This is true for | | | | a conscious prioritizer. Eliminate time wasters, |
| business. Set up a monthly budget for your current | | | | streamline necessary chores and delegate |
| income and allot as much money as you can afford | | | | responsibilities where possible. If you want to run a |
| into your business start-up fund. Focus your time on | | | | successful business, these are tasks you need to |
| laying the foundation for your business. This includes | | | | master anyways. Start the habit now. |
| writing a business plan, doing market research, reading | | | | There will always be stumbling blocks on the path to |
| books to hone or acquire business skills, learning about | | | | success when you decide to start your own business. |
| laws and regulations in your area, etc. | | | | The key is to not stay down when you fall. Look at |
| It may take a lot of time, but it will be worth it. If you | | | | each one as a challenge to be creative. Creativity is, |
| start your business debt free, you will be miles ahead | | | | by necessity, the very core of running a successful |
| of the competition. You will be able to take bigger, | | | | business. |
| calculated risks and see profits faster. | | | | |