Some people have been lucky enough to start a moderately successful business while still employed, and then have worked out a rather smooth transition from that job to running their business full-time. This is the dream scenario, the one that often comes to our heads when we’re thinking about making the leap from employee to self-employed. Some have had it noticeably rougher, having to plunge into the icy cold and murky waters of self-employment after a surprise layoff or firing. With no preparation whatsoever for what’s waiting for them, they have to take a crash course in how to run a business, with failing not being an option.
While some will argue that having your back against the wall guarantees that you will do whatever it takes for your venture to succeed, the pressure can also crush you. With that in mind, it’s often better to start laying the foundation, learning what it takes, and setting up your business while everything is (seemingly) going along just fine at your current job. It might be the best safety net you could ever put under you.
Remember that no matter the circumstances that landed you in self-employment, you need plenty of drive and determination to be successful. And by drive and determination, I mean total focus on what needs to be done to get new customers and/or negotiate better deals with suppliers, and so on… I mean turning a blind eye (or ear) to people who will not miss one chance to tell you that you’re not going to make it. I mean following your gut and pushing ahead for the means to turn your fledgling business into a thriving one, hitting bank after bank for financing, looking for ever better deals, looking for new customers, finding ways to cut your costs, figuring out how to get an edge on your competition. It might sound like not everybody is cut out for this, but my personal opinion is that if you can put up with working for somebody else, you certainly have what it takes to run your own business.