Are You Too Afraid to Start Your Own Business?

Ever think of starting your own business? Are you too afraid that you won’t be able to do it? Worried about the cost of a start-up or about your ability to run a company?

These are things all entrepreneurs think about.  Fear is a powerful tool, but not a good one.  It’s a setback and it should be thrown out the window along with self-doubt. 

Having a thought or an idea is just the beginning of starting a business.  Actually, that’s probably the easiest part!  It’s true when they say success doesn’t happen overnight and determination plays a key role in becoming an entrepreneur.  The negativity that will surround you is inevitable, but it’s up to you to take that negative energy and either ignore it or let it affect you.  I chose to ignore it. 

When I started Relax Missy, I was just out of college and landed my first full time job with benefits.  I started saving as much money as I could out of my paychecks and placed it aside for my company.  I didn’t have a trust fund or rich parents, I used my own hard earned cash to fund my way out of the 9 to 5.  Everyone that says you need 50k and up to start a home based business is lying (or they got ripped off). 

There are many, ways to save money, and one of them is doing the legwork yourself.  Take advantage of free attorneys from colleges.  Use your home as storage.  I actually think starting a business without much money is better than starting up with lots of cash.  Being broke allows you to hustle to find a way to make it work and exhaust all options that other people would never know existed.

Self-doubt and fear haunt everyone.  It’s probably the main reason why most people don’t take the leap to entrepreneurship.  Let me tell you, I had no idea what I was doing when I started, and I still don’t!  I’m learning as I go along and hiring college interns who have the energy and motivation to work with me.  As your business grows, you can slowly start to expand with an office or warehouse and even a CEO if you think you’re not the best CEO for your company. 

Starting your own business is a learning process and will always be one.  Even companies that have been around for years are creating their own unique ways to advance; for example, Apple. Until now, Apple had never built an iPad before.  I’m sure there were some roadblocks along the way, but now that they’ve gotten through it they can improve their product and processes.

The saying “just do it” may be cliché, but it’s so true.  If you have a great idea and want to act upon it, then you will figure out a way to make that happen.  Research and business forums are great ways to start.  From there you will be surprised as to how quickly knowledge starts to pour in. 

Working independently, away from the “9 to 5”, is what fuels me to keep growing my business. 

What motivates YOU to start your own business and work for yourself?

Sotiria

Sotiria Krikelis is the founder of Relax Missy - a company that sells sophisticated foldable ballet flats. Sotiria started her journey as an entrepreneur at age 24 after deciding that the "9 to 5" wasn't for her.

You may also like...