SixDegrees isn’t the only social network that didn’t work out, Lesa. I remember quite a few and there are new ones mushrooming everyday which haven’t been able to match good old Facebook. 🙂

That is in fact the main reason why before one even thinks of opening shop, my advice is to consider whether one has a viable idea or concept and if there is a market for it. Otherwise, one won’t have a business but an expensive hobby. I go into more detail about this in my workbook 5 things you need to work on before jumping into business.

Owning one’s own business is not so hard, provided one plans it properly and knows what to delegate, outsource and what one has to do by oneself. We wear different hats even in our corporate world jobs and that gets transferred to our business. The key difference is that our business is our baby and just like human parents know that raising a child is hard work, so is our business. But raising a good human being is akin to creating a successful business. Parents do grumble sometimes about not having time off but they do it. It comes down to mindset and whether we are really willing to give it our all to make it work.

Oh, and owning your own business will be the hardest job you’ve ever had. And forget about paid vacations and sick leave (LOL). For those of us who love being an entrepreneur, there is no better life, but don’t choose it if you aren’t prepared to work hard.

The journey to entrepreneurship requires determination and confidence in our ability to make it work even if it means having to redo our plan and adjust to change. Clearly a mindset challenge, Sharise. I love the question that you ask yourself, that is the best way to find your uniqueness and justify why a client should seek you out above others in your radius.

You’ve raised an important point, Joan, about feeling blissful and passionate about the work we choose. It is crucial to ensure that we have the motivation to get up each morning and work towards realizing our dream business, especially when we hit a tempest or two on the way.

True Joan. Glad you liked the tips.

I’m with you, Gisele. Sadly, many times young professionals jump into business without thinking it through carefully because they are just fed up with the corporate working conditions when stepping back and thinking it through carefully is a key to successful shift into self-employment.