Many
people nurture the dream of becoming their own boss and turning what they
love into a business. However many find their dreams derailed as their lives
lead them to different paths.
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Alexis Ray speaks five languages fluently and planned on becoming a
translator, but motherhood sidetracked her plans. Instead of the translation
business she's dreamed of for so long, she has become a full-time mom and
her life now revolves around her family and kids.
Christina Pike have been thinking of opening a dance school, having been
a dancer most of her life. But she needed to make ends meet and instead
became a financial planner. She still dreams of the day where she can
run her own dance studio and teach others the joys of dancing.
When the time finally comes that they can pursue their dream businesses,
the question now is: how will they do it?
If you have long been harboring plans of starting a business but never
came around to it, here are some steps to take to push your dreams into
reality:
1. Define your vision. The
first step is to define your vision. Vision is the big idea that will make
the world a better place because of your business. Put in a different way,
your vision is your business' contribution to the world. Having a vision will fire you up
and motivate you to pursue your business even if you meet steep challenges
along the way.
What do you really hope to achieve with your business? In the case of
Alexis and her dream translation business, her vision could be to help the
world become a better place by facilitating understanding between countries.
For Christina, her vision could be to teach others the joy and freedom of
movement and dancing.
2. Let your creativity flow.
The next step is to find ways how to bring that vision to life. Often when
you get excited about a new thing such as starting a business - you get so
many ideas swimming in your head. Don't think how you're going to do all of
them at this stage: just let these ideas come. If you have a notebook, start
jotting down all these ideas that come to your mind.
It is important at this stage to think how your business will be
different from your competitors. Let's face it: you will probably have
competitors unless you are planning to introduce a brand new product or
service in the market. The key is to determine what will make your business
stand out from the rest.
3. Organize your ideas.
Now go through your list of ideas and classify them as to what you can do
now, and what you can perhaps do later. Prioritize your list as to what you
think are the most important things that needs to be done and what you
should be doing when you open your business.
4. Match up your ideas with
resources. This is an
important step in fine tuning what you will be offering in your new
business. Obviously, you may have grand ideas, but if you have no resources
and no means to find financing for it, then you need to scale down to what
you can afford to do at this point.
You may be envisioning a complete line of organic cleaning products, but
if you only have the resources to create 1 or 2 products at this point, then
downscaling your plans may be your only option. Or you may be thinking of
launching a 300-piece clothing line, but you can only afford 50 pieces
today, then you need to downscale and then push for a bigger collection when
the business starts making money or if you find an investor.
5. Face your fears.
At this point where you are getting everything together, it is but natural
to have moments of doubts and fears. Questions like, "Can I do it? Will
this business work? What if I fail?" are but natural that will hound
your mind. Get over them! Tell yourself that you are planning and thinking
through what you need to do to improve your chances for success. Put in
writing how you are planning to do this business, from the products or
services you offer to how you will market the business. To get the jitters
out, focus on one step at a time to make the whole process manageable and
less intimidating.
6. Rev your engine!
Finally, your dream of starting your own business is happening.
Congratulations! You are now a business owner - and with it come a million
and one things to do. Put your ideas to work and sharpen your message.
Create buzz for your new business (even agreeing to offer some freebies at
the start). Explore the possibility of finding a mentor who can offer advice
and give you guidance as you start your business.
Most of all enjoy the experience. After all this is your dream come true.
About the Author:
Lyve Alexis Pleshette is
a writer for Power HomeBiz
Guides. For a step-by-step guide to starting a business, order the CD-Rom
"Power Home Business Ideas" from PowerHomeBiz.com at http://www.powerhomebiz.com/Index/practicalbizideas.htm
May 2007
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