It seems that everyone is seeking the magic potion that will open doors to wealth, success and happiness for their fledgling business and ultimately, for themselves.
In this challenging economy, who can fault them? But what is the real key to making your mark in business - today or any day? And what are your greatest challenges? You might be surprised.
Gaze into a mirror and consider the image reflected back to you.
This is your greatest advocate; the one you can truly rely upon to make your business work.
This is your greatest asset; the one whose knowledge and experience will navigate the tumultuous waters ahead.
But most importantly, this is your greatest hurdle; the critical factor that will determine whether your business will succeed or fail.
For many, their enthusiasm to achieve their delicious vision of wealth and freedom encourages them to gloss over the challenges that mark the path ahead.
They might even give in to the temptation to overestimate their abilities in an effort to walk the path to abundance.
But enthusiasm withers in overwhelm and the struggling new business crumbles as they implement a highly successful strategy to sabotage their own success: missing deadlines and withdrawing from communication, ultimately destroying their business from the inside out.
So what, then, is the best strategy to build and grow a successful business? It's the same strategy needed to advance in the conventional business world: knowledge, skill, dedication and a winning attitude.
Most entrepreneurial businesses are launched on a shoestring and the business owner does it all.
Since you, the business owner, are an employee of the company, you must first assess whether you possess the knowledge and experience to undertake the responsibilities you will assume.
Fill out a job application for your business.
Include your education, your interests and what makes you the right person for the job.
Be completely honest and do your best job to sell yourself to your prospective employer, you.
Set the application aside for a few days and schedule a time for the "interview.
" Undertake the interview just as you would for a second party applicant.
Be critical of your qualifications.
Do you have the right education and practical experience? How about attitude...
is this the right face, voice and personality to promote your new business? Take note of those areas that you had to "fluff" or where your training and experience are obviously deficient and devise a program to obtain that knowledge.
Consider devoting several days or weeks to avid internet research and combing the tomes of your local library.
This form of self-improvement allows you to work at your own pace and at little or no cost.
You might even find an online group that offers networking opportunities for practical application of theoretic principals It is a valuable educational opportunity for the fledgling business owner and could open doors to future expansion.
Local colleges offer affordable classes in a conventional setting.
Many night and weekend classes are available to accommodate the busy professional.
One of the most valuable aspects of pursuing college courses is the ability to network with others who are pursuing higher education.
Instructors and classmates can even become business counselors, potential partners and employees once your business gets off the ground.
Many colleges also provide intensive training sessions over two or three weekends that teach bookkeeping, computer applications and other common business skills.
These courses target the working professional and small business owner, and instructors are sometimes professionals working in the local business arena.
This is another excellent networking opportunity to find a mentor or collaborative voice in your new venture.
Bookstores and the internet are laden with self-study opportunities, many of which are offered with a money-back guarantee.
With these materials you can learn computer applications, pursue grant opportunities, and even hone sales, marketing and a wide array of other valuable business skills.
These sources allow you to study at your own pace in the convenience of your own home.
How are you at multitasking? Entrepreneurs must multitask, performing fiscal, sales, marketing and public relations duties as well as developing product and fulfilling orders in a timely fashion.
It is a daunting undertaking! Are you well financed or able to bring in a partner? Can you afford to hire and direct a qualified person to fill the voids? If the answer is "no," does this mean you should abandon your plan altogether? Not at all! To succeed in business - as in life - you must believe in yourself.
Consider some of the world's most successful entrepreneurs such as Donald Trump, Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates, Martha Stewart and Larry Ellison.
These individuals have invested years to develop the knowledge, skill and attitude to succeed in business.
They've weathered setbacks and applied the lessons to avoid pitfalls as they rebuilt their empires.
The common thread in all of these and other renowned professionals is their unwavering belief in themselves.
These people understand the psychology of business, believe wholeheartedly in their product or service, and convince their target audience that their lives will be richer as a result of the association.
Knowledge and attitude are critical to success.
Believe in yourself, believe in your product and believe that you are the best at what you do.
If you can convince yourself, you can surely convince the rest of the world.