5 answers
Axay’s Answer
Hi Soundarya,
Greetings! In real life your passion defines you, do not try to define your passion. Focus on the field where you have mastery, interest, natural ability to perform, and keep pushing your effort in the direction where you see long term reward. Good Luck!
Vikram’s Answer
Hi Soundarya,
Its a nice thought to become an entrepreneur, here are 8 Tips to Get You Started:
Take a Stand for Yourself.
If you are dissatisfied with your current circumstances, admit that no one can fix them except for you. It doesn't do any good to blame the economy, your boss, your spouse or your family. Change can only occur when you make a conscious decision to make it happen.
Identify the Right Business for You.
Give yourself permission to explore. Be willing to look at different facets of yourself (your personality, social styles, age) and listen to your intuition. We tend to ignore intuition even though deep down we often know the truth. Ask yourself "What gives me energy even when I'm tired?"
How do you know what business is "right" for you? There are three common approaches to entrepreneurship:
Do What You Know: Have you been laid off or want a change? Look at work you have done for others in the past and think about how you could package those skills and offer them as your own services or products.
Do What Others Do: Learn about other businesses that interest you. Once you have identified a business you like, emulate it.
Solve a Common Problem: Is there a gap in the market? Is there a service or product you would like to bring to market? (Note: This is the highest-risk of the three approaches.) If you choose to do this, make sure that you become a student and gain knowledge first before you spend any money.
Business Planning Improves Your Chances for Success.
Most people don't plan, but it will help you get to market faster. A business plan will help you gain clarity, focus and confidence. A plan does not need to be more than one page. As you write down your goals, strategies and action steps, your business becomes real.
Ask yourself the following questions:
- What am I building?
- Who will I serve?
- What is the promise I am making to my customers/clients and to myself?
- What are my objectives, strategies and action plans (steps) to achieve my goals?
Know Your Target Audience Before You Spend a Penny.
Before you spend money, find out if people will actually buy your products or services. This may be the most important thing you do. You can do this by validating your market. In other words, who, exactly, will buy your products or services other than your family or friends? (And don't say. "Everyone in America will want my product." Trust me--they won't.) What is the size of your target market? Who are your customers? Is your product or service relevant to their everyday life? Why do they need it?
There is industry research available that you can uncover for free. Read industry articles with data (Google the relevant industry associations) and read Census data to learn more. However, the most important way to get this information is to ask your target market/customers directly and then listen.
Understand Your Personal Finances and Choose the Right Kind of Money You Need for Your Business.
As an entrepreneur, your personal life and business life are interconnected. You are likely to be your first--and possibly only--investor. Therefore, having a detailed understanding of your personal finances, and the ability to track them, is an essential first step before seeking outside funding for your business. This is why I recommend setting up your personal accounts in a money management system such as Mint.com to simplify this process.
As you are creating your business plan, you will need to consider what type of business you are building--a lifestyle business (smaller amount of startup funds), a franchise (moderate investment depending on the franchise), or a high-tech business (will require significant capital investment). Depending on where you fall on the continuum, you will need a different amount of money to launch and grow your business, and it does matter what kind of money you accept.
Build a Support Network.
You've made the internal commitment to your business. Now you need to cultivate a network of supporters, advisors, partners, allies and vendors. If you believe in your business, others will, too.
Network locally, nationally & via social networks. Join networks like NAPW.com, your local chamber of commerce, or other relevant business groups. Here are some networking basics:
- When attending networking events, ask others what they do and think about how you can help them. The key is to listen more than tout yourself.
- No matter what group you join, be generous, help others and make introductions without charging them.
- By becoming a generous leader, you will be the first person that comes to mind when someone you've helped needs your service or hears of someone else who needs your service.
Sell By Creating Value.
Even though we purchase products and services every day, people don't want to be "sold." Focus on serving others. The more people you serve, the more money you will make. When considering your customers or clients, ask yourself:
- What can I give them?
- How can I make them successful in their own pursuits?
- This approach can help lead you to new ways to hone your product or service and deliver more value, which your customers will appreciate.
Get the Word Out.
Be willing to say who you are and what you do with conviction and without apology. Embrace and use the most effective online tools (Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn) available to broadcast your news. Use social networks as "pointer" sites; i.e., to point to anything you think will be of interest to your fans and followers.
Even though social networks are essential today (you must use them!), don't underestimate the power of other methods to get the word out: e.g., word-of-mouth marketing, website and internet marketing tools, public relations, blog posts, columns and articles, speeches, e-mail, newsletters, and the old-fashioned but still essential telephone.
If you take these steps, you'll be well on your way to becoming your own boss. It's important to remember that you are not alone. If you want to "be your own boss" but you still feel stuck, reach out and connect with other entrepreneurs in a variety of ways. You may be surprised by the invaluable contacts that are right at your fingertips.
Sami’s Answer
Paul’s Answer
Hi Soundarya,
I applaud you in your efforts to create your own future as an entrepreneur! Being your own boss and running your own business is no easy task. A good entrepreneur friend of mine really likes Canvanizer as a roadmap platform to moving your idea concept to fruition.
My friend's Career Village posted response
All the best,
Paul
Senthil’s Answer
Please try to find these books , hope will be helpful
15 Recommended Entrepreneur books
1. The Lean Startup:How Today's Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses: Eric Ries: 9780307887894: Amazon.com: Books
The Four Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich (Expanded and Updated): Timothy Ferriss: 9780307465351: Amazon.com: Books
Rework:Jason Fried, David Heinemeier Hansson: 9780307463746: Amazon.com: Books
How to Win Friends and Influence People: Dale Carnegie: 9780671027032: Amazon.com: Books
Think and Grow Rich: The Landmark Bestseller
The E-Myth: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It: Michael E. Gerber: 9780887307287: Amazon.com: Books
The Alchemist: Paulo Coelho: 9780062315007: Amazon.com: Books
The 100$ Startup: Reinvent the Way You Make a Living, Do What You Love, and Create a New Future: Chris Guillebeau: 9780307951526: Amazon.com: Books
Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose: Tony Hsieh: 9780446576222: Amazon.com: Books
10.The Millionaire Fastlane: Crack the Code to Wealth and Live Rich for a Lifetime.: MJ DeMarco: 9780984358106: Amazon.com: Books
Purple Cow: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable--Includes new bonus chapter: Seth Godin: 9781591843177: Amazon.com: Books
Mastery:Robert Greene: 9780143124177: Amazon.com: Books
Influence:The Psychology of Persuasion, Revised Edition: Robert B. Cialdini: 9780061241895: Amazon.com: Books
Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap...And Others Don't (9780066620992): Jim Collins: Books
Crush It!: Why NOW Is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion: Gary Vaynerchuk: 9780061914171: Amazon.com: Books