Why are you in business?

There are many reasons that people give for going into business. They want to be their own boss, they want more time with the family, they want to earn some money to help with the family, they want to create their own schedule, and the list goes on and on.

These are all wonderful reasons, but I also find many are in business sort of as a hobby. They want to experiment with it like some people do marriages. They have the mindset, "If it doesn't work out, I will just walk away." They don't take it as seriously as others who want this to be their career or they want to put as little effort and money into it as possible, but still expect great results.

When the results they want don't happen, they get frustrated. I had a person ask me if they would be able to make what they did in their old job within the first year of their opening up their business. By the way they were earning $250,000 per year. I tried not to laugh out loud, but some of the misconceptions people out there have only hinders them.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it takes work, determination, patience, as well as money to turn your business from a hobby into a successful running company. You have probably heard this saying at least once in your life, "You get out if it what you put into it." This saying goes for a lot of things in life, personal or business.

If, for example, you want to be a tennis player, it will never work if you don't put out the money to buy the right equipment or put in the time to practice your serve or your swing. Going to the courts a couple of times a week isn't going to do it. You have to be willing to put in several hours a day, every day. There are parents who would rather drive around an older car then buy a new one just so they can purchase a top of the line racket or tennis lessons for their child. The passion and willingness to sacrifice has to be there.

I know someone in the concierge industry who had a great job making money, but left it to start her own business. She isn't rolling in the dough, but she is working hard to make her business a success. From some of the stories she has told me, I don't think some of her clients could function without her help.

I get emails and phone calls from new mothers on an almost daily basis who want a job where they can make money, yet be there for their new baby. Deep down, their main focus is that new baby and the business will not work if that is where their focus is. A baby takes a lot of your time. After all of the feedings and diaper changings and caring for their other needs, how much time is really left for a business?

If you are ready to jump into entrepreneurship, don't stand at the shoreline dipping your toes in the water. You'll never get far. You need to dive right in and see how far the tide takes you.