Success Spotlight #3

1. What made you go into business for yourself?

The desire to control my own time, ideas and energy motivated me to start.

2. What was hard about it?

The most difficult thing about going into business for myself was the low capital - need to buy loop - that quickly developed. I needed some good computer equipment, software, business cards, etc. , and the costs of these items quickly exceeded my budget. Finding a way to make these necessary purchases, when I did not qualify for traditional loans, was the most difficult thing about starting a business.

3. What was something surprising about it?

Quite often, something that I expected to be difficult was easy, and something I thought would be simple turned out to be quite complex.

4. What do you really love about having your own business?

Flexibility, constantly meeting new challenges, and the ability to move on when a project is finished, are the best things about running my own business. Also, it's fun !

5. What advice/comments would you offer upcoming entrepreneurs?

My advice to new entrepreneurs, briefly: Know your business, but don't expect to handle all aspects of your business. Understand your strengths and capitalize on these. Hire someone to do the work you are weak at, and if you can't afford to hire, try bartering. Learn, learn and then learn some more. There are a lot of good books available; make sure you read at least some of them. Keep positive. This will be difficult at times, but if you don't have the positive conviction that your business will succeed, it probably won't. Finally, be realistic. Expect to work from 60 - 80 hours a week as you get started, with little visible payback in return. Expect the unexpected, the rollercoaster ride. Through it all, be determined, courageous, persistent and positive.