Becoming your own boss is a big decision. You might not think you have what it takes, or you might want more information before taking your next steps. This section will provide some food for thought if you have not considered self-employment or running your own business before.
Why start a business?
There are many reasons why you might want to start your own business. Here’s just a few of them:
- you get to be your own boss – no one tells you what to do – YOU decide how hard you work on the business
- you choose your business so you can pick something that interests you or you currently do as a hobby
- you could become financially independent
- you won’t get bored…one minute you could be thinking about finding new customers, the next you could talking to suppliers – every day is different
- make your dream a reality…don’t have any regrets later on in life of what you could have or should have done.
Who can start a business?
Anyone can start a business or work for themselves. It helps however, to have self-confidence, determination and the strength to keep going.
What you need is a great idea, a burning desire to do it and a plan that will get you to where you want to go. It will be hard work and you will need to make sacrifices (like giving up some leisure time) but it can be very worthwhile.
People from all sorts of backgrounds, ethnicities, ages and with varying levels of experience take the plunge every day. This includes those who have been made redundant, newly qualified students, mums returning to work or those who have not been working for a while.
What personal qualities do you need to be your own boss?
Being a self-starter with initiative and the ability to push yourself forward is a good beginning. Also just as important is to have belief in yourself, your idea or product. You must really want to succeed because a half-hearted approach could mean you fall at the first hurdle.
Being your own boss means you have to shoulder all the responsibility which includes the set backs. However, it also means you get all the satisfaction and rewards for your efforts.
Other good qualities include being able to take the advice of others and being open to learning new skills such as book-keeping, computing or how to sell.
