As a coach to emerging entrepreneurs, my focus is on your lifestyle – defining it, creating it, and ultimately sustaining it with the profits from your business.  I am aware however, that your lifestyle and your need to eat every day, will not wait for you to build the business of your dreams.  While you clarify your dream and complete a well thought out business plan, (with the help of my book) you will need to maintain a steady income.

Start Small

It is both dangerous and foolish to try to launch yourself into the business world without the safety next of a secure income while you learn the ropes.  If you want to begin your entrepreneurial journey without undue risk, you might consider starting out with a training wheel business.  These part time business opportunities are an effective way to learn the basics of running a profitable business, working part time with a minimum of risk.  I am talking about business like:

• Network Marketing,
• Freelancing
• Fairs and Festivals.

The Advantage of Training Wheels

Each of these businesses can:

• be started for a small investment
• done part time while you maintain your day job
• offer the potential for profit

If you approach your training wheel business with the mindset of a big business owner, that is you take responsibility for all aspects of the business: management, finance, operations, sales and marketing, you can earn money while you learn basic business skills.  Skills you can later apply to your next endeavor.

In my posts this month, I will review each business opportunity and I offer some links to start you on your own research journey.

Beginners Mind

Everyone begins somewhere.  There is no shame in beginning carefully.

Training wheel business are not necessarily your end point.  Personally, I have tried all these ways of earning money and I learned from each one.  I moved on as I grew in business skill and as my dreams for my life changed.

As you practice your business skills, continue to dream about your most perfect life, the life that will be fabulous, exciting and fulfilling.  Each business that you try will teach you something valuable. You can use that knowledge as you continue to grow.

Photo by Martino Pietropoli on Unsplash