by Mittzi Fulrath

Created on: February 22, 2007   Last Updated: April 13, 2007

As a successful business owner for over nine years, I will tell you on a personal level what you need to know about starting your own business, instead of all the "how to". This level of information is often not thought about when a person starts their own business. I didn't...

Top of the List: You will be putting your proverbial blood, sweat, and tears into your own business if you are going to succeed.

Two: You must believe in what you are going to do, or no one will. You must take your business seriously, and see it as a "real" job.

You will never work harder or be more satisfied by having your own business as long as you are the type of person cut out for entrepreneurship. I am not talking about franchises either, that is a whole different ball game. People who are strong enough and capable of running their own business are far different than franchise owners. With a franchise purchase, everything is already laid out for you. Programs, protocol, practices, procedures, what to do, when, why and how. But entrepreneurs, ah, they develop it ALL themselves.

You will have to be the boss, hire and fire. You do the graphic design, and make the marketing and advertising decisions. You have to know all the answers because there is no one else for you to ask. Can you sell? You are the salesperson, customer service rep, the receptionist, and the payroll department. Can you perform under stress? Go with little sleep? You will have to work when you are sick and on holidays. Sometimes you don't get a day off.

BUT...
When all systems are go, and you have the right people in place, you have worked hard, so now you can PLAY HARD. Did you say you're buying a bigger house? How many countries do you want to vacation to this year? I don't work on my birthday, ever. Took off work Monday to go skiing, home sick with no regrets. Congratulations, now you get paid to play.

I own and operate my own business with my husband (very few people can do that) for nine years now, and we do about a half a million dollars a year in business, last year was more, and it goes up every year. I have never worked so many hours in my life, and never dreamed my spouse would work even more. Remember the benefits though-I can make every appointment at any time, and never miss anything for my children. I can be with my family whenever I need to, and that justifies all of it.

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