Starting Out

If you’ve ever dreamed about starting a business — being your own boss, setting your own hours, working at a job you love — then you’ve taken that first important step.

But before anything else can happen, there’s a whole lot of thinking, planning and plain old-fashioned paperwork to be done. You can succeed in business, but not, as the title of that familiar Broadway musical would have you believe, “without really trying.”

In this practical guide, you will learn what it takes to start and sustain a business, step-by-step. By the time you reach the final pages you’ll have built a solid base from which to “make happen” the business you’ve long dreamed about.

Do You Have What It Takes?

Is Entrepreneurship Right for You?

What does it take to succeed in a business of your own? If you answered “money,” you’d be right — but only partly. More important at this stage — when your dream to start a business is still just a dream — is determining whether you really have “the goods” to be an entrepreneur.

Based on its study of 2,500 U.S. entrepreneurs, research firm Gallup Inc. determined that successful business owners share 10 personality traits. They are: business-focused; confident; creative; delegators; determined; independent; knowledge-seekers; promoters; relationship-builders; and risk-takers.

If your personality is strong in these areas, you’ll probably make a good entrepreneur. If not, perhaps it’s time to re-think your dream. And if you aren’t quite sure how you measure up, now’s the time to honestly answer these questions:

You may discover that starting a business is not the right career path for you. Or, conversely, that business ownership is a dream worth pursuing. If so, let’s get started.

Tags: Florida Small Business, Business Basics