Are you ready for running a business?

Starting and running your own business is one of the most exciting choices anyone can make. You need to to seriously consider whether starting your own business is right for you, by honestly appraising your strengths and weaknesses.
1 Understand the implications 


1.1 Be ready to work long hours - in the early stages you may have to sacrifice social activities
1.2 You will need to cope with pressure - If you have been an employee then you will have to be ready to deal with all areas, not just your area of expertise.
1.3 The stakes can be high - this can depend on your course of action from week to week.
1.4 There are many tedious tasks to be completed - rules to be followed, bookkeeping etc
1.5 personal rewards can be great - can be an immensely rewarding as you are in control

2 Assess your Skills and Attributes


2.1 Make sure you have the the sector-specific skills required - do as much research as you can.
2.2 You need determination and confidence - can you keep plugging away even when things are not going your way. You need to be able to deal with the bank manager.
2.3 It helps to have an independent streak - it can be lonely running your own business, you need to rely on your own motivation.
2.4 But you will need to work with others as well - clients eg and you need to form good business relationships.
2.5 You must be flexible - if you have to change your approach eg.
2.6 Patience and resilience are valuable attributes - you need to have resilience patience and also be realistic.

3 Make sure you have a support network


3.1 Family are a good source - make sure everybody understands your changes and ideas.
3.2 Seek advice from friends  and colleagues - can be an important source of support.
3.3 Talk to experts - business mentoring is an option, meeting with fellow photographers etc

4 Get your finances right


4.1 Carefully assess the financial implications - Do you have enough money to start and live on? how flexible are you.
4.2 Be clear about your financial priorities - which is more important, safeguarding the financial future or growing the business.
4.3 Consider the implications for others - family eg

5 Weigh up any doubts


5.1 Don't worry about fearing failure - it makes sense to think how you would cope should the business fail, but you do not need to look over you shoulder, look ahead.
5.2 Take steps to improve - acknowledge fully the areas of weakness and overcome them.
5.3 You can fill in the gaps in your knowledge - you can take advice and learn as you go along.