6 Questions To Ask Yourself Before Starting a Business - The Small Business Playbook | Small business news; tips; networking

Posted by GaryShouldis under Startups
From http://www.thesmallbusinessplaybook.com 4048 days ago
Made Hot by: PMVirtual on October 27, 2013 1:09 pm

Starting your own business is like having children, you may think you know what it’s like, but you really have no idea what it’s like until you actually do it. The excitement and energy you feel as you get closer to making the leap is incredible, you’re like a kid on Christmas Eve, nothing but possibilities await you.

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Comments

Written by lyceum
4044 days ago

Gary: I will send you an email during this week! Thanks for being a sport! :)

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Written by lyceum
4046 days ago

Gary: I will read the article you mention. We have to talk more about this issue in the near future! ;)

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Written by GaryShouldis
4045 days ago

Yes Martin, would love to chat with you, email me anytime and we can set something up. Cheers

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Written by lyceum
4046 days ago

Gary: I wouldn't say sacrifice in the same sentence as starting a business. Sacrifice is altruism, business is rational self-interest. I would use the word investment in time, money and resources.

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Written by GaryShouldis
4046 days ago

Hey Martin, I agree and disagree with you.

I agree when you make the decision to start a business you're not sacrificing but are making a conscious decision to invest your resources in another manner.

Where I disagree is when you have loved ones involved. When there are other people involved (spouse, children, etc) then there are real sacrifices involved, even if they are for (hopefully) a greater good. Whenever you dedicate yourself to something, you have to stop dedicating yourself to something else.....like Oprah Winfrey said, "You can have it all, just not at the same time". Taking a "rational self-interest" approach to building a business when you have a family is where you build a successful business at the possible expense of your family and friends. You see it almost everywhere, successful business person, a trail of ruined relationships behind them. I think for most people they want both and they both need to be taken into consideration.

I encourage you to read Meg Hirshberg's column in Inc magazine, I think she does a great job describing what it's like "being along for the ride".

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Written by GaryShouldis
4048 days ago

Thanks Ti. If I had asked and answered the question about being in line with my life plan, I would have never started my first business. You live and learn!

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Written by tiroberts
4048 days ago

Awesome article. It's important to know just want your getting into and what you want to accomplish when starting a business. Thanks for sharing with us.

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