Whenever I try to work with people while starting my business I have found I usually can’t answer their questions. It doesn’t matter the field. Just about everyone I try to work with has questions as to what I expect to do and I generally just give a blank stare or vague answers.

Should I go for 10,000 unique views to my site next month?

Does that mean I should expect to make at least $2000? $500? $50?

Should I try to get 50, 200, 500 products on my site?

I have no idea!!!

I rarely can give people a good answer simple because I don’t know what reasonable answers are. I’ve never done this before.

Some people don’t like this or think I’m dumb or not prepared to take on starting a business. I disagree. Now I’m not saying I’m prepared, doing everything right or won’t stumble at some point. However I know I’m ready to do this and I am ready to take the ups and downs and move forward.

Now I know I’m not alone out there and there are a ton of young and old entrepreneurs who give those same blank stares and vague answers when someone asks you what your expecting.

So know your not alone and don’t worry about having all the answers, if you have the drive even the biggest mistakes will be overcome.

And I can’t wait to look back on all of this one day and laugh at how much easier I could have made everything.

But I just didn’t know!

Check out the film at:

workyourwayupfilm.com

and his blog at:

workyourwayupblog.com

Pat is a junior at Bryant University in Rhode Island. This is his first step into the world of entrepreneurship. So let’s give him some support!

1. Limited social life
2. Low funds
3. Unsure of everything
4. Can’t get away to sun due to low funds
5. Innovation can get hurt when your down

How to kick start yourself-

1. Get out of the house and go to your “office”

• Panera
• Starbucks
• Local Cafe
• Barnes & Noble

Pretend like these spots are your office. Sit down and focus for a couple hours. This will help jump-start your mind and help you come up with new ideas.

2. Work on your couch, bed, side room, a chair you don’t usually sit in

Move around in your house. Even shaking things up a little bit can help get you motivated. If your not comfortable, GOOD. Make it a point to get something done there so you can leave and go back to a spot you are more comfortable in.

3. Go to the mall – walk around

Just get out and be around some people. Check some stuff out in your favorite stores. Get your mind off your business. Seeing things you can’t afford might just get you motivated to get to work and make money.

4. Happy Hours

My favorite method to keep my mind fresh and motivated. Have a few drinks and relax. It can also be a good time to bump up your social life a little bit. Maybe you will meet someone from back in high school or just other people doing exactly what you are there doing. However this strategy is best done with at least 1 other person.

In my experience alcohol has never failed in helping to come up with a few off the wall ideas!

5. Gym

The gym is a great way to let off any stress you have. Can’t afford a membership, make your own gym. Go for a run or find someone on craigslist giving away some weights. Whatever it is get the blood flowing and I bet you will come back to your desk refreshed.

Going to a gym is also another great way to bump into old friends or make new ones.

How do you keep things going when you have the winter blues?

Now I had a few responses that disagreed and mentioned how especially in these tough times finding a job for that “security” is a good idea. If you have to I understand that. I mean everyone has to eat in the end so if you need that money then there is nothing wrong with getting a job. However not getting a job and not knowing where that next pay check is coming from makes you push yourself.

Tons of people want to be entrepreneurs and may have even started their own business when they get a job. One thing that happens is that a job does give a little sense of security and slows down the progress of their business. This isn’t saying getting a job means you get sucked into that lifestyle and never go back to your dreams of entrepreneurship (this does happen a lot). But many people would benefit from being pushed to their ultimate limits and being forced to make something happen.

My recent experience….

Problem:

I have come to the point where I am simply broke and have no source of income.

Solutions:

1. Find a job

2. Freelance something

3. Beg parents for money

4. Stop doing absolutely anything that costs a dime

Choice:

Freelance – decided to figure out a way to use all of my social media and social networking knowledge that I have gathered to try and show small businesses about the opportunities.

What I was pushed to do:

1. Hate cold calling but that’s what I have to do and then try to work my pitch into the conversation. Especially when %80 of the people don’t have a clue what a blog is let alone social networking.

2. Don’t want to put together tons of small freelance projects for separate businesses at low cost.

3. Don’t want to take time away from my bigger business goals with Under30CEO.com

Results:

Used the skills I have been acquiring to make some cash. This has only led to more knowledge of the industry and has begun to build my credibility. It also has allowed me another entrepreneurial experience. I didn’t have to show up from 9-5 I completed the projects when and where I wanted to. Leading to me being happier about doing work.

These consulting jobs are not my long-term goals but by being forced to make moves and make money it has only given me more experience and made me more knowledgeable.

-Getting a job as an office assistant would have given me cash and been easier but would not have given me credible experience or further learning experiences or the ability to do it on my time.

-Getting a job before I hit this point of desperation would have never allowed me to have this great experience.

Starting a business is tedious work and can take a long time. However you’d be surprised what you can accomplish when you are pushed to the limits. Your forced to make moves and do things you might never have done otherwise. You may lose some sleep, be scared as hell, question what your doing, and lose some of your social life. But this is what it takes to take something from nothing to something.

If you get to the point where failure is not an option you would be surprised what you can do.

Anyone else been pushed to the edge and saw a great experience come from it?

Looking at 2008 it was really a crazy year filled with ups and downs for myself and my entrepreneurial adventures. But no time for 2008 that’s history its all about 2009 and beyond. I like the idea of the new year because it really gives me the feel of a fresh start. I know I can’t forget about ‘08 because remember you should be learning from your mistakes and building on your successes. But with the new year comes the sense for me and most people that some big things will be happening. Everyone feels as though this will be their year and nothing can bring them down (yet).

How can you make sure this is your year? Well I can’t speak for everyone but I’ll tell you how I intend to make ‘09 MY year.

DOING

Yes, it’s as simple as that. Stop talking. Stop dreaming. Stop brainstorming. And go DO IT!

Well don’t stop all those things together but I think you know what I mean. For me ‘08 was when I graduated college and decided to start my own business. Since then it’s been a year full of ideas, dreams, and some doing here and there. Probably more testing then doing. But now I feel as though I have a foundation and path to build on. So it’s time to truly implement things and not slowly but truly over the top. Hit it hard and don’t stop. That’s how I am going to make ‘09 my year. Sounds simple but ask me in  3 months maybe even 3 weeks how simple it is. I won’t be discouraged but I bet I will be wondering about when I can take a break. But that’s how it works. Those who don’t stop are the ones that make it and I intend to be part of that group. So enjoy this weekend because Monday is time to go take what you want.

How are you going to make ‘09 your year?

P.S.

I’m not waiting for Monday I’m starting today.

Many people fall into someone else’s show. This usually happens in the form of taking that corporate 9-5 job making someone else money and playing by their rules. You end up in this show whether you like it or not. To many people hate the show they are in but don’t change it. They either don’t know how to change it or simply don’t think they can change it.

Well now it’s time to create the YOU show. Get out there and lead something. Change something. This is what entrepreneurs do. They lead and change and in turn create a show about themselves. They start businesses, blogs, groups, clubs that reflect what they love and what they are passionate about. As a result they are much happier because they are doing what they love.

Even if you don’t feel like stepping up and instead want to just be part of someones show. You can still use this mentality to achieve greater things. Don’t try and fit in everywhere instead express your thoughts and passions until you find a place that shares the same ones.

Now not everybody will like this show but it doesn’t matter. You will be able to find enough people out there that do want to tune in to be able to create something valuable. You will also find yourself happier because you are surrounded by people with the same ideals and passions.

The point is that you can create your own path. You don’t have to follow someone else’s path. If you are passionate about something then take charge and lead a movement in it. The great part is that even though this sounds so simple so few people take action. Millions of people are out there craving to be led.

If you are one of the few who steps up and creates a show you will find yourself on an awesome and thrilling ride.

Who’s show are you in?

Now I realize that part of this reason is that some people still don’t know what a blog is let alone how to make one. But you would have to think that they have heard of blogs. With a little online research into marketing or business promotion you can easily find many suggestions to start a blog.

In the end though I don’t think its the lack of knowledge or know-how that stops most people with businesses from starting a blog. It’s about the content.

The question – “What will I write about?” Or an excuse like “I don’t have the time.” These are the real road blocks that stop people. However I don’t think these are road blocks at all for a small business owner.

So you don’t know what to write about.

Well lets see you have a small business. This means that you probably have some knowledge in that industry or niche. Maybe some people even refer to you as a guru or master in that business field. You probably want to attract more customers to your products or services (I don’t know many businesses that are trying to get rid of customers). Well generally people buy things from people who they trust or consider knowledgeable in that field. Now maybe these people don’t really know that you are knowledgeable in your field and you wish there was just some way to show them how you think and what you know.Hmmm get where this is going?

So there you have something to write about. A successful blog has great content but that great content is there for a reason, there is a smart person behind it. Is there anything easier to blog about! Just focus on whatever your business is and write down all those tips and pointers that you spend your days explaining to customers.

But now you still don’t have the time.

Who said that if you want to become a successful business owner it was going to be easy? There is always time. Blogging is not something that takes a lot of time to do either. If you are passionate and knowledgeable in your field (which you should be because you started a business in it) then writing quick informative posts should be easy. Posts don’t have to be long or often, quality over quantity. If you find it hard to write quick posts because you just love going into detail or you find you get more response from well thought out detailed posts then add some filler to the blog. In between the technical posts give quick links to resources in your field. Or maybe you travel a lot to speak or promote your business. Make quick posts about where you are and what your doing.
It’s great to have unique and informative information in a blog but customers also like to know what you are doing. Those quick filler posts will also show people that the blog is active and that just because you really haven’t had a chance to make a long post in a couple weeks you are still there.

So there ya go. There is no reason a small business should not have a blog. A blog is a great place to show off your talents and how great your business is to an audience larger then you could ever imagine. It will take a little time to get used to blogging and to get your blog looking and feeling the way you want it to but if you start it will get there. The key is starting and in time you will see the benefits.

And this doesn’t apply to only small business owners. This goes for anyone with a business or who is looking to start a business. Think of the benefits if you haven’t started your business yet and you could create a dedicated following to announce your new business to!

So get out there and start a blog! No excuses!

Read this awesome post about setting up a blog over at Zaggededge.com

Customers up for grabs
With the economy spiraling downwards many companies have shut down. I mean look at Lehman Brothers, were not just talking small companies. Now that these companies have gone bankrupt their customers are on the streets. Whatever the business was it had customers that still want their products or services. So now these people are looking for another place to get these things. This is where you as a new company can easily snap up some customers to start.

-Less competition
With less companies out there, there is obviously less competition. There will still be new customers entering the markets looking for products and services that these bankrupt companies used to provide. Now if you step in to fill some of those voids you could easily find some more lost consumers.

-How do you find these lost consumers?
This is where web 2.0 can have such a huge impact. All the tools that are available on the web right now provide a great place to start making connections to find these lost consumers in your niche. Now web 2.0 still doesn’t replace good old fashioned guerrilla marketing but it has opened the doors to tons of people that you would have had trouble reaching just a few years ago. Get on every network you can and start searching for people who might be interested in your business. There is a good chance you might find a few who are lost and looking for the next provider to step in!

For more info on why you should use the web see my post Don’t Be a Fool Use Social Media

Faith lost in big business
Many people are losing faith in big business, especially in the financial district. This means that they might be more open to having a more personal experience with a smaller business. So once again this could be a great chance to find customers. Gain people’s trust and you will have a great shot at securing them as a long term customer. Business to customer relationships are always built on trust but now more then ever as that trust has begun to slip in many industries.

Cheap but experienced help
It’s sad to say it but it’s true. A lot of people have lost their jobs and are looking for whatever can pay the bills for the time being. As a start-up you probably won’t have to much money to hire employees but now you may be able to find some great deals on help. With the crisis being in the financial industry a lot of very smart and experienced people are now out of a job. Now these people aren’t going to work for nothing but I bet you can find some great help or assistance for prices that normally wouldn’t be possible. Could really help get your business off on the right foot.

You will be set for the turn-around
When does Warren Buffet make investments? Now! That’s the whole idea buy low sell high. By starting a business now you will be set for when the economy turns-around, and yes it will.

Don’t let this happen to you
If you never had that extra push or the motivation to start your own business I think this could do it. Don’t put your job in the hands of people you will never meet and have no idea what they are doing. Don’t be that smart, experienced, unemployed job seeker when the next economic down-turn happens, and yes there will be one. So if nothing else these economic conditions should at least provide some motivation to start thinking about going out on your own. Control your own finances and your own practices. Take control of your life and don’t get caught off guard again.

Still a little nervous? Read one of my posts 3 Fears an Entrepreneur Needs

Well there are some of the best reasons for starting a business right now. Certain industries provide more opportunity then others but in all the opportunity is all around. You just have to find it and take advantage of this situation and then you won’t have to worry about someone you never met destroying your career.

Does anyone else have some thoughts on why this is a great time to start a business?

This applies to whatever your choice of careers is. Accounting, construction, finance, doctor, entrepreneur, it doesn’t matter you have to differentiate yourself in somehow to truly reach your full potential.

If you choose to sit back and disappear the system will take full advantage of you. It will get all the work it can get out of you because you were willing to do it without question. 

Those who fit in now won’t stand out later.

Look Familiar?

Remember the days of Netscape? How about Napster? I’m sure you remember but that’s about it. Those once thriving and ground breaking programs are all but a memory today. Since then just think about how many web browsers have come and gone or how many file sharing programs have passed through. Somebody realized that they could make a better program then the original. Netscape was one of the first web browsers, it was great but then somebody made it better. Same with Napster, who didn’t love Napster until a better program came along.

Most of the time the first version of something is not the version that ends up staying. The first version is the ground breaking idea, it turns heads and gets people thinking about the idea.  Once that starts there’s almost always someone with a better way to do it. 

You don’t have to be the first person to think of an idea, you just have to be able to do it better.