I too, know of many people who are great tradesmen but lousy businessmen. Most struggle to make a living, but for a number of reasons, don’t take the time to learn how to run or grow a business.

A further comment. So many people start a business not because they want to be an entrepreneur and make their proverbial million, but because they have some vague idea of independence. In effect, they buy themselves a job.

Now there is nothing wrong with that. Most of them don’t want to be bigger, they just want to be more profitable so they can be comfortable and feel that they are in control of their business, and not the other way around.

Their problem is that they have spent many years becoming a first class tradesman, mechanic or whatever, but absolutely no time learning to understand their financial statements, or how to market their business, or indeed manage it.

So they come to work in their trade clothes, hoping to get away from the paperwork and onto the floor asap.

I know many like this. Fine people, but not entrepreneurs.

I love entrepreneurship and highly recommend it, but it is not for the majority – and that’s just the way it is.

Sure being an entrepeneur is hard work, and not everybody succeeds, but many develop a very happy lifestyle. And a few do very well indeed from their small beginnings.

It does help to have a clear ideaof where you are heading and what you want to achieve. And the other bit I’ve found over the years is that most small business startups don’t collect the right information on which to make decisions about their business.

I only work two days a week and not even 8-hour days

I am a ‘big picture’ person

I use other peiople’s ‘great’ ideas

I’m married so being my own boss doesn’t come into it!

Jim’s last blog post..Working for yourself

As usual, you’re right on the money with this article. It’s good to play “contrarian” from time to time b/c not only will it stir up conversation among the people but als it gives another viewpoint for them to think about.

Nice job! (P.S. I hear you’ve been telling some people about my new blog – thanks! I appreciate the word of mouth advertising on my behalf).

Stephen

Michael,
-Your #5 is great, wish that I had thought about it. You are exactly right about business being about personal relationships.

Keep the comments coming.

I’ve known so many people over the years who’ve failed at their start-ups because they try to be something they’re not. They try to mimic someone else’s success. If you have a truly unique proposition, be yourself, then be yourself . . . even more.

If people do business with you, it’s because you’re you — not someone else. Sure, take ideas from others, but don’t try to hard to be just like them. Spin the ideas, and be yourself at the same time.

Over and out,

DM Werner