.....and theres noone else there to share the decisions nor the problems with.

Since when have you been a fly on my wall?

The old chestnut still applies: 1% inspiration, 99% perspiration.

I'll add 'Tenacity' to that brew. You will be very much alone, with the world telling you you're daft. You'll wake up anxious and go to bed anxious. You'll have no holidays - even if you can afford them you'll not find head space - and it's quite likely you'll fail.

IMO run into it - don't even look before leaping - and get on with it. Too much planning, analysis, calculating, pondering, chewing on biros will impede your progress. Be a fool, but a determined fool and hire a sober accountant. Much better to lose the farm and have made the effort than work for a bank.

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Wave ¦ Synthpop ¦ 80's ¦ Alternative ¦ Party ¦ Sat 24.03 Provitreff Zurich

i have that anyway, and i'm not self-employed!

Read "Secrets of a Six-Figure Woman" by Barbara Stanny. It's a terrific book that helps to establish a set of great priorities.

"Let go of the ledge. Do what you fear! Feel the fear and go for it anyway. Get in the game."

Six Figure Traits (Must haves)

1. A profit motive
2. Audacity
3. Resilience
4. Encouragement

(Big Helpers)

1. Self Awareness (strive to know who they are and what they want)
2. Non-attachment (let go of what doesn't work)
3. Financial Know-how (Understand and follow the rules of money)

"You've got to be willing to to be uncomfortable"

Focus on fulfilling your values rather than the financial gains and the money will simply follow.

It's a very interesting journey, one I've just begun myself.

Best of luck to you in what ever you decide to do!

christ, that sounds like a room full of useless managers having a meeting

probably (but I doubt it) ok for the US market, but will just annoy the hell out of anyone from the rest of the world

+1

Synergy. Syynneerrgggyyyyy

...............

I don't think your business has to be something you love, nor do I think you need to do it for the money.

Many people start a new business just to be their own boss. I have several friends who have started their own business, not to make loads of money (although of course they do all hope to comfortably survive) but more because they want to be the boss. They don't want to work in large organisations with long chains of command, they want to make the decisions and live or die by the decisions they make.

Also, my sister for example, decided she wanted to run her own business. She had no real passion for anything, no business "found her". She went looking. Looking for something she could do that would allow her to run her own business.

And she found it. She surprised us all as she set up a patisserie. She had no love of baking, and had never worked with food at all. But she learnt the business, ran it for 10 years and then sold it at a massive profit.

She worked crazy hours, didn't have a life for a long time, didn't pay herself for a long time, but in the end had a great experience, learnt a lot more than she would have staying in "big business" and the pay off was great.

BUT now that she has 2 kids she is working part time for someone else, she has not the time nor the inclination to start up again.

So, in summary, I don't think it is about making money and nor does it have to be something you love. I think it is more about being your own boss and the thrill of making it work.

I did the same before: went to some entrepreneur drinks and told new starters that their business ideas are daft. It's fun, you should try it as well!

P.S: While I do not really believe every management handbook - there are some basics that are most probably quite handy to know... before you invest your savings in an idea - let alone a year of your time - read a bit about things like "business model" "forces of competition" and so on - reading costs you next to nothing... not knowing what you do wrong potentially a lot.

P.P.S: If you don't manage to explain your business idea within some 30 seconds, I bet it won't work.

10 seconds mate, 10 seconds.

Cheap, fast and tasty hamburgers and fries that are the same every time.

A better way to find what you really want on the internet quickly.

Selling high quality/artisanal British cheeses in Switzerland.

Erm, so basically it's a website where you can meet people but it's different from a normal dating site because the descriptions get voted on and people should like it because.... NO. FAIL.

I just knew you wouldn't be able to stay away.

When we returned home to Switzerland I thought I would just carry on working for a big relocation firm, as that is what I had been doing for years. Got an offer and along with it was a list of do's and dont's, to the likes of which I had never seen. I knew that wasn't me so I turned them down and started with a partner locally, but in a short time realised I have my own style and I needed to be on my own.

It was not easy, and it isn't getting any easier. So what keeps me going? Just one thing, my clients. To be told I am "one in a million" means the world to me.

__________________

Mr Grapefruit --

Was it you I overtook on the Zurich-bound A3 a few days ago at lunchtime, driving a white Transit bearing the British Cheese Centre insignia?

Whoever was driving looked like the world's troubles were sitting on his shoulders. Which (if it was you) might back up the sentiment you expressed.....

Here's an interesting (imo) article on a farmer turned crisp producer turned vodka distiller:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2...iday-interview

That would have been me, my driving time is generally my thinking time so i may just have been pre-occupied

Really nice article, thanks for posting!

How did you finance your business? did you have some money on the side? Investors? Banks?

as mine started as a sideline it was self financed, with all money from sales etc going straight back in, when we started to get big then a former friend joined as a silent partner (emphasis on former, business is the quickest way to lose friends)

even when the money was flooding in the banks didn't want to know, they would only lend if I personally guaranteed the loan, which was pointless as I could get cheaper personal loans anyway.

You can use cash savings or a loan or create a (please god very simple and complete) business plan to show to potential investors. When you do please use the line:

"My business plan and carefully researched industry figures suggest you will see your investment returned in X to X months/years and your end of the profits after than should see a pretax return of around X per year."

Don't expect people to hand over cash without this line.

Generally you need a good track record for 3-5 years for the banks to be interested. Avoid business angels etc because they take all your equity and force bad decisions on you.

Borrowing from friends is not a good idea unless they can afford to lose all their money and still count you as a friend.

Best way is savings, worst way is on your credit card. Good terms from suppliers is always helpful.

Yes but personnally, how did YOU finance it?