The real realities of being an entrepreneur
- Published
- in Small Business Tips and Advice
At GoForth, our primary reason for existence is to give entrepreneurs the best small business training possible for success. So it was with considerable interest that we read a blog post by Chicago-based businessman Seth Kravitz, called 20 (More) Reality-Checking Questions for Would-Be Entrepreneurs.
The questions are geared towards those thinking of starting a small business and they don’t shy away from some harsh realities of entrepreneurship – working too hard, uncertainty, ideas that don’t pan out and dealing with stress.
We like this honesty. In our small business education, we encourage entrepreneurs to take a very honest look at themselves before starting out. Yes, starting your own business can be infinitely rewarding, both financially and personally. However, it can also be one of the most difficult things you’ll do. You might work harder than you had as someone else’s employee. You might put a strain on your relationships and finances. You might even give it a shot and eventually decide you’re not enjoying it anymore. These are all considerations you should make before starting your own small business.
We’re not Debbie Downers at GoForth; we’re realists. We want to make sure you approach the decision to become an entrepreneur with your eyes wide open – knowing in advance that the journey can be a bumpy one. Remember – between your great idea and the grand achievement is the vast wasteland of grinding it out.
Our advice? Read Seth’s post and honestly assess yourself as a small business owner. And don’t lose heart – entrepreneurship isn’t easy, but you can take the most important first step and prepare yourself for the realities of starting and running a small business.
Thanks for the mention in your blog. I got many comments and emails after the post talking about how it was too negative and pessimistic. I really don’t see it that way. People need to know what they are getting into and I tried to convey that in that post. I never knew so many publications and blogs would pick up on my blog post, but I am very flattered.
Thanks for your post, Seth. It was a very honest and well-balanced look at becoming an entrepreneur!
[…] but don’t be discouraged! At GoForth, we love people who are honest about the fact that entrepreneurship is challenging as well as rewarding. Here’s an excerpt from the article: One of the biggest mistakes young […]