Small Business For Dummies
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Small Business For Dummies
by Eric Tyson and Jim Schell
Small business is many things to those of us who have participated in it
or have dreamed about participating in it. Without a doubt, the concept
of “being your own boss” is an alluring one.
But not everyone can be his or her own boss — at least not a good or
successful one. If you’re currently someone’s employee (not a boss),
fantasizing about owning a business of your own is perfectly natural on those
days when you’re fed up with your current boss or job. Your fantasy is made
even more attractive by the rags-to-riches stories you hear about entrepreneurs
who’ve turned their visions into millions or even billions of dollars.
Please know, however, that small-business ownership has some not-so-
appealing aspects as well. Most often, you have to spend many years working
hard and making tough choices before the risks you take turn into rewards.
Furthermore, a significant percentage of small businesses don’t survive
to enjoy the long-term rewards. And perhaps most difficult of all, the
entrepreneurial career can be lonely at the top.
Of course, the thrill of being the ultimate decision-maker may be exactly what
attracts you to small business in the first place. But you need to realize that
this attraction also has its downsides, the most prominent of which is that it
breeds trial and error, and trial and error begets mistakes. Mistakes are the
most expensive (and most dangerous) way for the small-business owner to
learn.
But wait! Before you plod back to your day job, we have some good news
for you: The mistakes that you’re likely to make have already been made by
those who have gone before you — including us. If you can somehow avoid
the trial and error that leads to mistakes (which is what we’re here to help
you do), your chances for success multiply many times over.
Despite the previously mentioned downsides, it’s impossible to describe the
sense of accomplishment you’ll get from starting and running your own
successful business. Like so many before you, you’ll know the thrill of
creation, you’ll feel the pride of watching that creation grow, and you’ll
realize that your work and your vision have filled an identifiable void for your
customers, for your employees, and, of course, for you and your family. And
for those of you who rise to the top of the small-business pyramid, you’ll
enjoy the greatest upside of them all — unlimited upside. Ask Bill Gates about
how this reward feels
by Eric Tyson and Jim Schell
Small business is many things to those of us who have participated in it
or have dreamed about participating in it. Without a doubt, the concept
of “being your own boss” is an alluring one.
But not everyone can be his or her own boss — at least not a good or
successful one. If you’re currently someone’s employee (not a boss),
fantasizing about owning a business of your own is perfectly natural on those
days when you’re fed up with your current boss or job. Your fantasy is made
even more attractive by the rags-to-riches stories you hear about entrepreneurs
who’ve turned their visions into millions or even billions of dollars.
Please know, however, that small-business ownership has some not-so-
appealing aspects as well. Most often, you have to spend many years working
hard and making tough choices before the risks you take turn into rewards.
Furthermore, a significant percentage of small businesses don’t survive
to enjoy the long-term rewards. And perhaps most difficult of all, the
entrepreneurial career can be lonely at the top.
Of course, the thrill of being the ultimate decision-maker may be exactly what
attracts you to small business in the first place. But you need to realize that
this attraction also has its downsides, the most prominent of which is that it
breeds trial and error, and trial and error begets mistakes. Mistakes are the
most expensive (and most dangerous) way for the small-business owner to
learn.
But wait! Before you plod back to your day job, we have some good news
for you: The mistakes that you’re likely to make have already been made by
those who have gone before you — including us. If you can somehow avoid
the trial and error that leads to mistakes (which is what we’re here to help
you do), your chances for success multiply many times over.
Despite the previously mentioned downsides, it’s impossible to describe the
sense of accomplishment you’ll get from starting and running your own
successful business. Like so many before you, you’ll know the thrill of
creation, you’ll feel the pride of watching that creation grow, and you’ll
realize that your work and your vision have filled an identifiable void for your
customers, for your employees, and, of course, for you and your family. And
for those of you who rise to the top of the small-business pyramid, you’ll
enjoy the greatest upside of them all — unlimited upside. Ask Bill Gates about
how this reward feels
