Small Business Bliss and the Entrepreneur Myth
Small business bliss may be an attractive option. It is definitely a shiny object for some. I’m often asked about entrepreneurship and owning a small consulting firm. Is small business ownership for you?
The Entrepreneur as a Consultant
The consulting field has often been viewed as desirable since the cost of entry is low. The idea is, hang a shingle (or throw up a web page) and you’re in business.
In practice things are not always that simple. A consulting business may seem like an attractive shiny object, in reality it may be a different story.
The other view is that people who can’t get a “real job” start a consulting practice. This view point often develops because some white-collar executives or technical experts lose a job and then struggle to find a replacement, so they start consulting.
In the for what it is worth category, this is not how I started. I made a conscious decision to leave a solid job and start my practice.
In a thriving economy, the lure to start a business is strong. That is, it is strong for the true entrepreneur. Those persons who want to consciously start a venture, not so much for those who only consider it when the chips are down.
There are many hard lessons for small businesses and entrepreneurship. There are also a fair amount of myths (here are ten) about earning a living doing this type of work.
Small Business Bliss
Today the shiniest objects glow even stronger because the assumed funnel is so big.
I’m going to start a video blog.
My goal is to create a unique podcast.
I can sell these on the internet.
Certainly, the world-wide-web is an ocean of opportunity, yet very few find true success there.
In sales, the discussion is often structured around the sales funnel.
Yes, our on-line world seems to broaden the funnel. The reality is that finding your lost goldfish in the ocean is a difficult task.
Even with eyes-wide-open.
-DEG
Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSPTM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.
