Biz Basics: Get Going!

So, you’ve decided to open a business... well buckle up, doing it (and doing it well) ain’t easy! I’d like to expand on a few things you may, or may not know about getting that ball rolling.

THE TRIGGER PULL:

No, we’re not talking about hitting the rifle range, we’re talking about taking that first big step and committing. The emotional range is enough to turn a young man old, make a strong woman weep, and pretty much terrify anyone jumping in from nothing.

When I started my first business, I had ZERO collateral, and ZERO investors... yes you read that right! Nada, zip, zilch!! But what I did have, was a plan. Was failure an option... well duh! Of course, failure IS an option! Life isn’t a motivational poster, and business doesn’t care how bad you WANT it. You have to make a plan financially and be ready. Even with a plan in?place, I made a TON of mistakes along the way. Beware of scammers with a hand out at every turn. Chances are, if you did not contact them, you don't need to give them any $$...remember that!

Pro tip: MAKE CONNECTIONS! Surround yourself with people smarter than you, and take their advice in a way that fits your mold. I don't mean "smarter" as in just "book smart"... I mean people you trust, who have been doing this a while. Maybe "more experienced" is a better word. I was able to connect with many local business professionals in my area prior to opening my business, and it paid off big time!

NEXT STEP: BE HONEST!!

Now is the time for some rough truth as well; when it comes to your business idea, and your business plan, unless you are inventing a completely new product, do your research within your industry of choice, and ask yourself this?question: "Does anyone even need this?" Who are the successful people in your industry? ARE there successful people in your industry, and what could possibly make YOU any better? This one stings for a lot of folks, because lets face it, not every idea is a good idea, sorry! Just because you really enjoy custom knit coasters, doesn't mean you can make a living selling them out of a local store front. "But Wade, WHYYYY?" Well, lets look: 1 knit coaster sells for $3. Your materials are $.75 per coaster, so that's $2.25 made per coaster. Rent is $800 per month for your tiny office. Now add utilities, travel, etc... you need to sell about 1,000 of these doodads just to even THINK about putting any money... you get the idea. Like they say, sometimes the truth hurts. This doesn't mean hang it up and quit, it means you may still just need adjustments in your plan.

THAT'S LIFE:

So let's reflect on this a touch. We've made a plan, we have our process, we've asked ourselves the hard questions. Is this article solely for business? No. You can take these principles home with you. Think about your life direction and decisions... What type of spouse are you? What type of parent are you? What type of homeowner are you? Each of these questions can be approached by having a plan, and doing your best to follow it logically and honestly. For me, it's being a dad that requires the most thought. I have TWIN F'ing girls... I can't 100% wing that shit! I have to sit down and decide what type of father I want to be. How do I tackle "girl stuff"? I decided to be honest with my girls on those girly questions and just tell them I have no freakin clue... but we'll figure it out! We make plans together, we look things up together, and press on.

That's all for today folks... I've ranted enough. (is "ranted" a word? I don't fuggin know). Trust yourself, trust the process, and enjoy life. Cheers

W