Minding Your Own Business

Starting a business can be an overwhelming endeavor. But it is do-able, and does not require being a Trump-esque organization with a board of directors, a team of attorneys and a 500-page business plan. Starting a business can begin with your passion, an idea, and the desire to do something that offers great reward.

1) Passion – The expression “love what you do, do what you love” is a basic truth. When you were a child, you often play-acted what you wanted to do or be when you grew up: a doctor, an actress, an astronaut – because it was something fun and interesting. Of course, not many of us go on to be those things we fantasized about as children, but the foundation is the same: we sought out something that would interest us. Starting a business should espouse this childhood role-play: do something you are interested in and would “love” to do for the long-term. I use the term “love” because there will be bumps along the way, and just as in life, if you love what you do, you will weather through the difficulties, objections, and any hurdles that your business may face.

2) Idea – The “idea” does not have to be a huge revelation or epiphany. Necessity is the mother of invention, and many times, a business idea stems from a need you see yourself fulfilling. Take the organization “Meals on Wheels” for instance. Someone recognized the need to deliver food to shut-ins in the 1950’s, and thus the current organization was born. But an idea is just an idea until it is implemented. 

Do it, and don’t over-think. Too often, a person with a great idea allows fear and doubt to crowd in: not enough experience, no funding, wrong (or no) education, this is “bad” idea, etc. are excuses that need to be banned from an entrepreneur’s thoughts. Ideas that come to fruition can turn into orchards if
seeded and nurtured correctly.

3) Desire – This may sound a lot like passion, but it is different. Passion is the heart of your business. Desire gives you velocity – forward motion, especially when the going gets tough. Being an entrepreneur is no cakewalk, and starting a company on a shoe-string budget takes a lot of creativity and humility. Be open to learn from other successful companies and individuals whom you want to emulate. Write down what you desire to see for yourself and your business, even if it seems over-the-top. There is something powerful about seeing your future on paper. It may not all happen, but when written the desire looks tangible.

There are, of course, more to starting and building a business than the passion, idea and desire. Take note that these 3 things are mind-sets, and the #1 key to success (or failure) starts in the mind. So don’t let the lack of what you think is essential deter you from starting a great business. “If you build it, they will come” – what are you waiting for?

Originally posted on Curvy Magazine, November 24, 2010.

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