Make:
1. Start something: blog, website, group, whatever. Action is what matters, so take action, even if it is not a very significant progress in your business, this step will move the ball off the ground. Try.
2. Get rid of all your debts. This is very important, you don’t want to be in debt when you start your business because you will have a lot of things to worry about in your business and you may well need to take a credit card swipe from time to time to support your business, so that the last thing you need to hear is a call from your bank or collection…
3. Solve the problem. To find out what kind of business it is, look at the current players and their services, talk to a few clients, and identify a problem or problem with the current product and service. Then solve it.
4. KISS. Take it easy, dumbass. Whatever you do, nothing beats simplicity, whether it’s a business plan, email communication, or anything in between. Keeping it simple would make you much more efficient and save you a lot of time, headaches and money.
5. Network. Talk to anyone and everyone, tell them about your business, when they ask what you do, soon you will master your business pitch and connect with many people, you never know who you will run into?
Not:
6. Buy another $1.99 get-rich-quick short report, or that $195 6-DVD program that will help you achieve financial freedom, or any other get-rich-quick program… You have a better chance of winning in Russian roulette.
7. Waiting for the perfect moment is an illusion. Tell me about one thing you did at the perfect time… There is no perfect time. Either now or never. What is your choice?
8. Hire friends if they are just as (if not more) interested in the business. Enough said.
9. Try to do everything yourself. No one can. So learn the art of delegation and outsourcing.
10. Fall in love with your idea. This is the most important because you don’t want to blindfold yourself about the feasibility of the business. A business, to be profitable, must be feasible and sustainable.
Devesh Dwivedi is a successful business consultant based in New York. He is the founder of Breaking The 9 to 5 Jail, a support group for aspiring entrepreneurs. Devesh really enjoys working with contributors because he loves the energy, excitement, creativity and enthusiasm associated with startups. In his spare time, Devesh enjoys blogging, cooking, traveling and playing golf (although not necessarily in that order).
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