TRY THIS

After repeated attempts at squeezing your square self into a round hole, you've finally admitted
it isn't going to work—you're just not cut out to be someone's employee. You wanna say
good-bye to corporate work and embark on a journey toward the greener pastures of entrepreneurship.
And that's where we can help. Come with us on this 12-step journey toward business
ownership. From helping you think of a business idea to creating your business and marketing
plans, these 12 steps are sure to set you on the right path.
1. Take a Skills and Interests Inventory
Begin a soul-searching process to determine which business is right for you. You'll definitely
have an advantage with a business that's a spin-off of your background or experience. You can
also enjoy success in an area where you have strong interest yet lack experience, though you
may need to qualify yourself through entrepreneurial training or professional certification programs.
Jot down the skills that already exist in your talent bank. What do you like to do with your time?
What technical skills have you learned or developed? Do you have hobbies or interests that are
marketable? It might help to create a personal resume that lists your professional and personal
experiences as well as your expertise. For each job you list, describe the duties you were responsible
for and how successful you were at each. Be sure to include professional skills, educational
background, hobbies and accomplishments that required expertise or special knowledge.
Don't forget the personality factor. Are you outgoing and friendly or do you prefer to keep to
yourself? Do you like working indoors or outdoors? Do you enjoy working with the general public
or with a few close clients? Do you love working 24/7 on an exciting project, or do you enjoy
your downtime as much as your work time? Every business has its own personality, and your
own personality should be a complement to the one you finally choose.
You should also talk with others in businesses similar to the ones you're considering about the
traits and temperaments needed to be successful. Find out what they really like about the businesses
they're running and also what they don't like. Compare their responses with your own interests
and personality to see if there's a fit. Don't stop searching until you find an idea that couples
your love for the work with your marketable talents.