Have an idea that is worth something? We want to see it submitted to “The Edge” Business Plan Competition. With a prize package valued at around $10,000, you can finally make your dream business a reality.
It is essentially impossible to start and grow a business with no money. Certainly there are stories in the marketplace where an entrepreneur touts his or her ability to create something from nothing. Even more bombastic are the governmental entrepreneurial support agencies that beat a cosmetic drum, often over-stating the ease at which someone can start and grow a successful business. At the end of the day, it takes money to make money.
There’s an old saying, apparently dating back to a 1698 article titled Discourses Concerning Government, penned by Algernon Sydney that simply says, “help those who help themselves”. It could be argued that in this economy the rational interpretation of this statement centers on the ideal that helping yourself may best come in the form of finding help. Read More
Imitation is the greatest form of flattery. In 1957 Russian novelist Ayn Rand authored “Atlas Shrugged”, a 1,000-page novel that became an instant hit in America. Back in 1991, a survey by the Library of Congress and the Book of the Month Club found that readers rated “Atlas Shrugged” as the second-most influential book in their lives, behind only the Bible.
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So, you’re thinking of starting your own business. Good for you; it takes guts to get off the couch. This endeavor will prove to be your biggest challenge, but also promises to be your greatest achievement. Business ownership is not for everyone and when you decide to throw your hat into the ring, remember one very important thing: pick your advisory team wisely.
Yeah, right! There is a huge disparity between dreaming the dream and living the dream; and it takes more than simply throwing money into an aspiring business start-up to make the transition to successful business owner. To make matters worse, governmental entrepreneurial support agencies are beating a cosmetic drum, often over-stating the ease at which someone can start and grow a successful business. It is a wee bit more convoluted than this; let me explain.
Entrepreneurs are at a crossroads. If you watch any business television show, read the newspaper, do a little web-surfing or pick-up a magazine, the resounding commentary is overwhelming. Become an entrepreneur; it’s easy, you can be your own boss, and you can achieve financial independence. Holy cow, where does one sign up for such an easy gig?
