Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I hope someone here can give me some help.  I`ve been thinking about owning my own business for awhile now, but I never get anywhere with what kind of business.

My day job is in IT, but I think I want out.  I enjoy reading, sewing, and exercising.  I have no idea what kind of business I could create with reading.  My sewing skills are in the very beginner level, and I don`t really have a "personal trainer" personality.  I`ve considered a no frills (no spa, sauna, pool, etc) lower cost gym, but don`t have the $$ for that or assets to get financing.

As for strengths, I`ve got a really strong work ethic, quick learner, good communication, and above average customer service skills (sounds like a cover letter LOL).  I can do so, but really don`t enjoy getting up and speaking in front of a group of people.  I loved retail/customer service, but didn`t enjoy managing "corporate" stores with their sales quotas and rules.  I have also been told I am an excellent manager, and am always getting promoted, whatever job I have.

To answer the million dollar question, if it didn`t matter if it failed or not, I`d either open up some type of retail establishment or gym.  I don`t think I have the stomach for the amount of risk a retail establishment would require, as I don`t think our economy is going up right now.  And I can`t afford to open a gym.

Am I missing something here?  Am I making excuses?  I think I`ve become so bogged down that I`m blind.  Please help!

Oh yeah - the passion question.  I`m scattered, nothing is a strong passion because I`m interested in EVERYTHING.  If I start researching one topic online, hours later I`m still sitting there, the first topic having let to 3 other interesting things.

I just read your post, the question I have for is are you ready to start a business and just want to know how to get started, or are you still just looking for general information?

 

If you are still looking for general business ideas please visit my information only website at www.tophomebusinessinformation.com.

 

However, if you truly want to start a business then the first question I have for you is what do you want to change in your life.  I know that is not the question you would expect.  However, when people really want to change their lives to help their family, really get out of dept, or to just stop the 9-5 rate race.  When you are really in a lot of pain, then you know you are ready to start a business.  You will have that burning desire to put in the long hours to get done which needs to get done.

 

If this is where you are now then here are some of the basics.  First, what do you really want to do?  Seriously, what would you be doing right now if you did not have to worry about money?  Seriously thinking about this and tell me.

 

Second, a C product with A marketing will do better then an A product with C marketing.  Once you know what you want to do then you need to create a marketing plan to get customers to contact you, when they are ready.  No, I am not talking about using Google Ad words, or other costly marketing.  I am talking about having other people constantly referring customers to you. 

 

If you are really ready to get started then please let me know and I will help you first formulate what you want to do, and second get the marketing right.  No, I am not selling anything; I was in a major car accident about a year ago and still recovering.  I am doing this to give back, I was in your shoes years ago, and would hope to have you avoid the mistakes I made when I got started.

 

Regards,

 

Russell

www.tophomebusinessinformation.com

Kristie... you are having the same kinds of concerns many of us have.  Taking the risk of building a business is not easy but that doesn`t mean it`s too hard to stop you.  Here are a couple of resources here on SuN to help you solve some of the questions you have.

First, check out this ongoing discussion on finding one`s passion.  When you have a lot of interests and one thing doesn`t obviously stand out, that doesn`t mean you aren`t passionate.  A lot of entrepreneurs believe that passion is a key element of building a business, especially for getting through the challenges.  There are a lot of great ideas in that topic to perhaps help you tap into something.

Also, check out the 10 steps to open for business but just focus on the first step right now - the `Life Plan`.  The reason I say this is that you are doing the right thing, asking questions about yourself.  You are at an introspective crossroads and the Life Plan will help you discover some things that may fit you for business.

One other thing I want to point out is that you mention you think you "want out".  That`s fine and feeling stagnant in your career is an acceptable motivator.  But don`t let that be your central driving force.  Russell above made similar comments about change but I want to make sure you don`t start a business to run FROM something.  Starting a business means working FOR something that you want in your life.  There`s a distinct difference in the mindset.

You`re asking the right questions and every answer you get can take you closer to a new dream!

Why not buy a franchise of what you love to do--read--that has a 100% money back guarantee?  Most entreprenuers will spend thousands of  of dollars and may never see a penny.  This is all set up and ready to go with business training from top business men like Robert G. Allen and Richard Paul Evans.  It`s so low risk and is growing at 15-20% a month.  If you want to know more, look up www.BookWisePro.com/LiveWiseNow   It is well worth your time! 

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Natalie Berrett
Part of the largest and fastest growing bookstore franchises in the world!
100% Money Back Satisfaction Guarantee!
www.MyBookWise.com/LiveWise
FREE Preferred Customer Membership.
Save up to 42% on books, CDs, DVDs, and college textbooks. Video games are coming soon.
A portion of the profits goes towards helping abused kids and fighting illiteracy.

Kristie,

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Mr. Ric Willmot
Professional Speaker | Consultant | Mentor | Author
Executive Wisdom Consulting Group
W: http://ExecutiveWisdom.com
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Blog: http://ricwillmot.com

Founder of the Society for Executive Wisdom

The Law Firm Marketing Masters podcast rated Ric Willmot as “Au stralia's leading law firm management and marketing consultant” and “One of the Top 10 Law Firm Marketing Experts in the World” for 2012.

Thanks everyone for your insight and links so far!

I really do want to get started, but I don`t think I can because I don`t yet have a solid choice of what business, and a lack of $ and assets (and a small amount of debt truthfully).  What do I want to change in my life?  I am a very hard worker, as I would guess most entrepreneurs are.  I am tired of putting so much time, effort, and honestly, so much of myself into someone else`s bottom line, someone who doesn`t even know me.  I am tired of watching mismanagement, loss of employee morale, and I have no desire to suffer climbing the corporate ladder to try and fix things.  I want to do things and make decisions because it`s my company and its success or demise rests on me, not because someone says `this is how we do it`.  I want a business that sustains me and my family.  Something that I enjoy, but that I can take off a day to spend with the kids if I want.  

What would I do if I didn`t worry about money?  Open a physical retail store or a gym.  I did read the finding passion thread, that`s how I`ve come to the answers I`ve come to so far.  Retail, gym, customer service.  I will start looking at the life plan tonight, and also spend some time thinking about if I am running from or to something.  I think it is to, not from, but since part of my misery is this and the last corporate job, I will make sure.

Sidenote - my parents think this last year or so of me thinking about my own business is really interesting.  From the time that I was in middle school through high school they had their own very successful marketing business.  Unfortunately, a not-so-honest partner was taken on and my family lost everything.  I swore I never wanted to have to worry about things like that and I`d always work for someone else who could worry about it instead.  I`d just go to work, do my job, and go home.  My parents laughed.  Now I find out they always knew that with my personality I`d never be able to just do my job and go home.  I care too much and, as everyone keeps telling me, apparently I`m a leader.  Whatever that means ;)

Wow, Kristie, you sound just like me.  It sounds like I could have written much of your sidenote. 

I have started my own business as a personal and business coach and business consultant.  I also have to keep my "day job" until I get enough exposure and a big enough customer base that will allow me to work my business exclusively.  My frustration with working hard for others remains but it is tempered by the fact that I have another focus which is my primary focus....getting my business up and running.

For my business, I don`t need much startup capital....it sounds like you are targeting a business that may need some.  Remember, though, that there are small business loans that may help get you started. 

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Michelle
President, Arrington Management Services
www.arringtonmanagementservices.com

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http://www.christian-business-opportunities.org

There is an under-served market for a specific type of gym in my area.  And health and fitness is something I care deeply about.  As for a retail establishment, I was thinking a physical store (though I`m reconsidering as my ideas evolve).  However, it wouldn`t be gym related.  Another idea that has been tossed around between my partner and I is a bar/club/music type of establishment.  That`s something he does have experience with, though not owning one.  And something that appeals to me, though it has TONS of other considerations.  Maybe once my finances are in order I could go work in one to see how it runs ;)

In regards to a previous question, I think I may be running both to and from my corporate life.  I hate my job, for many, many reasons.  That is something I AM passionate about; it`s horrible.  The only good thing about it is a paycheck, even the benefits are sorely lacking.  However, I DO want my own business.  So, do I see a business as an escape from this particular job?  Or am I using these feelings as my `kick in the butt` to get moving on something I`ve wanted to do anyway?  Again, both.  So here is something I`ve decided during my overtime hours the last few days ;)  I will keep looking for a different corporate job, one that alleviates some of the worst parts of my current job but still pays the bills.  Once I make that switch and am not so completely overwhelmed and exhausted by my day job I can start actually MOVING FORWARD with solid plans and decisions for my own business.  At the same time I can get those stupid credit cards payed off (which will only take a couple months if I follow my plan).  While this plan keeps me in corporate, I think I can survive a year or two of that to make everything else stable first.  Of course, the hard part is finding that new job.  A very tough thing in this economy.

In the meantime, I will keep reading and learning from this site and its members.  And I WILL do that life plan this weekend!

THANK YOU everyone for your comments and advice.  I`ll still be reading if you have more!

~Kris

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http://www.christian-business-opportunities.org