What Does It Take to be in Business for Yourself?

As a career counselor / coach, I get asked a lot of really interesting questions, like this one, for example:

As an entrepreneur, what does it take to be in business for yourself?

Given that I've been in business for 20+ years, I don't spend too much time thinking about being an entrepreneur. Being in business for myself is what I know, live, love, and do as naturally as breathing. Maybe I should spend more time thinking about it. Maybe I should think more about the scary parts of being in business with and for self, especially when the phone doesn't ring, or when you wonder where the next client is coming from, or when you experience cash flow turbulence. But I don't! The scary parts go hand-in-hand with running your own show and owning your own gig. You work at making it work, day-in, day-out, 24/7 and try to have some fun while you're at it!

As I considered some of the attributes I've relied heavily upon to build a one-person operation in an intensely competitive market, I believe these five factors have been essential:

1.Focus - without it, you will not succeed.

2.Discipline - without it, you will get derailed.

3.Passion - without it, you will not sustain self in serving others.

4.Service - without it, you will not retain customers.

5.Something Extra! - without it, you will not be memorable.

What do you think it takes to be in business for yourself in the 21st century?

posted by: billiesucher

Comments

[HRagitator]

To me being successful in any profession, but especially if you are going to go into business for yourself, requires a level of resourcefulness that most people don't have. When you hit a roadblock, don't stop, keep going until you get around it.

Problem solving skills are critical, but as Edison said it's really 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration. You just can't give up.

When a person is working on their own, its an eat what you kill situation, so their forced to keep going, which often makes them appear to have something extra. And they do...its motivation to survive. This is a big challenge for corporations. How do you keep people in entrepreneur-mode?

[billiesucher]

HRAgitator, just this morning I shared with someone one of your lines from your comment. Thanks for reading and keep posting! : - )