Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Hello Everyone,

 

I’m so glad I found this site today!!   All of the information is phenomenal and helpful (I know that’s generic, but I don’t know how else to describe it).  The site is very user friendly also, which is a plus for me, because the SBA site is to congested and has such a “Big Government” feel to it  ~smile~ .  

 

Well let me start out by letting everyone know that I might be the odd woman out on this site, but if there are others like me please reach out.  My DESIRE is to open my own children’s clothing consignment shop (upscale).   I’m so passionate about my shop that I dream, think and research about it consistently; especially on those stressed out days at work episodes (I would rather be stressed out working for myself).  But I’m holding myself back because of FEAR, which hasn’t gotten me far at all in my future endeavor.      

 

I truly feel FEAR is the very first hurdle I need to get over and I need help.  There’s plenty of help out there on writing a biz plan, finances, etc, but nothing on helping w/ getting over the FEAR of becoming a small business owner. 

 

Any suggestions or ideas are GREATLY needed and appreciated. 

Welcome to SuN (Startup Nation)!  We`re glad to have you as part of the community.

Believe me, you are not alone in feeling fear about starting a business.  I think most of us go through that at one time or another.

For me, I felt fear because of a lot of unknowns.  I knew little about business and what it would be like to run one.  Not to mention the fears of not having all the skills I might need.  But I found the more I learned, the more I became at ease about the whole endeavor.  I`m constantly pushing myself to learn more about entrepreneurship and what I`m getting myself into.  And I don`t mean just the nitty-gritty details but also what it takes emotionally to achieve success.  From this, I grow as an individual and a leader.

You`ll find all sorts of resources here at SuN for learning more and growing into the fear-tackling person you want to be.  Make sure to check out the first step in the 10 Steps to Open for Business which is `Creating a Life Plan`.  The life plan will help you evaluate your personal goals in starting your biz.


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Steve Lowtwa

Hi SolosMa :-) Welcome to SuN.

You might do a general search of the forums, for the word "fear." I think you`ll find you`re definitely not the odd woman. :-)

One thing to consider is that you`re ahead of the game in that you have a passion. Consider how few people really have a passion, wish they could find one, and wish they could open a business based on that passion. You`re part way there now, having that passion.

What you could do to move to the next step, is begin writing your business plan. Instead of just pondering the clothing store when you`re stressed, open up a spreadsheet, and start listing your assumptions, filling in some numbers.

You can do some research to find out what numbers you`ll want, which ones are out there, and what you can use. For example, you know you`re going to want some hanging racks. How many of them, what would they look like, and how much does each one cost? Same with shelves, display cases, cash registers, desks, office furniture, and so forth.

That`ll start to make it real, and you`ll have a sense of accomplishing something. Any new business needs some sort of plan, and you can certainly work on that while you`re working your other job. :-)

Hi SolosMa,

I believe the vast majority of us who start their own business have degrees of fear. I started off my own business while I was employed by someone else. It did mean long hours - working for someone else and starting my own business; but it helped reduce my fear (failure - if it didn`t work out I still had a job and could pay the bills). What is your fear?

Have you read `feel the fear` - it`s a great little book and I read it every few months just to give myself a bit of a confidence boost.


Andrew

 I`m still in FEAR! lol - take one step at time - and Make it Happen!

"There is nothing to FEAR except FEAR itself"

Good Luck to you!

PS

In time, my birth announcement line will be available... KIT and maybe we can cross wires online or offline with products- I look forward to learning more about you and your new and upcoming business!

Hi Greatmanagement! 

Thanks for the reply!!!   I think my fear is coming from failure; I basically don`t want my business to fail, but who really does.  I understand that`s why majority of people work really hard while managing their own business, but the possibility of the business failing is always there. 

I also think the fear is coming from not having much support from family or friends, not to say their being negative but there’s no one saying “You can do it!”.  I know this is just something I truly need to get over soon if I want the success and freedom that comes along with being a entrepreneur.

I plan to pick up or order Feel the Fear this weekend.  Thanks again and I’ll keep you posted.

 

 

Hi-

I wouldn`t worry too much about failure. I`ve fallen flat on my face lots of times (so have a great many others) but have always got back on my feet again. Don`t let the fear of failure hold you back. I`m not say just plunge headfirst into anything--just that failing at something does not make you a failure and it`s not the end of the world.

Good luck,
RF

Somebody once said "you can`t fail if you never give up" and quoting Edison along those lines "I have not failed. I`ve just found 10,000 ways that won`t work." keep that in mind until you succeed. 

Fear is good sometimes. It is all about the what if`s. The what if`s in business, you can find the answers to. The "what if" if you don`t do what you are truley passionate about could be a what if that would of never been answered. A childrens upscale consignment boutique is soo exciting! We have one in town and i wish we had more. The one a near me is http://www.happilyeverafterinfo.com/index.php. The website seems to be undergoing an overhaul but the store itself is really awesome!! I love buying second hand, especially quality stuff. Gosh i also have piles of upscale clothing from my 4 year old I need to give away. I should go down there, but that women who owns that store is so busy, there is a waiting list to bring in clothes. Her shop is nothing fancy but clean, cute, an area for kids to play while you shop and it is not cramped or unkept. It FEELS like an upscale store at great resale prices. She has about 1000 sq feet showroom then a backroom to go with it. She started a few years ago and is doinf REALLY well. She is also a photographer and advertises those services to Moms. She also has local artists sell there unique items for kids and moms too! She is just a regular lady who started small...a storefront a bit out of the way fro the large shopping district so rent was affordable and she remains there b/c she does not need to move, she is the only one in town and everyone goes there. You can do this too. What you may not know, just ask and you will find answers and support. Look for stores that are selling there displays, shelves etc.... start looking into local newspaper ad pricing in classifieds , find all the moms groups in your area...let them know you are looking for clothing, shoes etc.. I bet if you call the store owner of my local shop and ask her to be a mentor for you...she would be more than willing to help. Or look for someone closer but not too close, folks don`t share when they feel they may be a competitor....they should share though...it is actually good for their business. You could even start smaller to build funds, start an online shop, go from their. Look for a good spot and get what you need to display. YOU CAN DO THIS!!!

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Chances make Champions 

 

Failure is just a perception on your way to success.  For example, I know it looks like I have failed   to a lot of people in my family and circle of friends because I haven’t gotten a client in a very complex and closed knit market after 1 ½ yr.   Nevertheless, I know that I am progressing closer and closer to my dream, which never really leaves me.  There’s  a knowing  in my gut that what I feel inside… I will live outside, so onward and upward I go.  Nothing keeps me down long and nothing discourages me very long, and I have had some rocky and very tough to deal with challenges, as we all do.  In addition, at times, more than not, I am afraid…

 

What I have noticed and now embraced during this journey of pursuing my dream is that the universal is ready to assist you, on time & at all times. I was in a discourage state when I found SuN, momentarily thinking about giving up.  But, look what happen, SuN appeared and has rejuvenated me right back in the driver seat.  Since joining SuN on May 27, 2007, I have built my website, reinvented a marketing campaign strategy, started my own blog, got a first page, first position  (for medical billing) banner ad  in yellowpages.com for my local area, and have use the resources in “Search Engine Optimization & Advertising” forum to  achieve 3^rd page presence in Google  and listed number 34 on Yahoo(4^th page). And I am just getting started!!!

 

We live in a country where dreams can come true and the universal is full with resources and opportunities,  that`s what keeps me going.   Feel the fear and do it anyway. 

 

Jackie

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