What Happened to the Money and Freedom?

Ask anyone trapped in a cubical about their entrepreneurial dream and they will tell you, "I want to own my own business. I'll make more and have more time."

Only 2% of small business owners (SBOs) live that dream. The other 98% find their businesses owning them. They work more hours and have less money. They experience more stress, and feel even more trapped.

What happened to the dream? What happened to the money? What happened to the freedom?

First, the average SBO has no idea how to make money. No clue. They THINK they do. They believe the crowds will fight their way to the door of their business, but it rarely happens.

Success, however, is not an accident. It's no more an accident than getting a college degree or a recording contract.

Here's the "secret" to making money in business?

1) Providing a service or product the market can't live without. 2) Locating "lost" money in the business. 3) Protecting the business from financial vampires.

Second, once they start the business SBOs become control freaks and fear that relinquishing one minute will spell disaster. They equate time with results when they are actually independent factors. At times a thirty-second decision could produce millions.

It's not the time that counts, but relevant action. It's better to work one relevant hour than ten irrelevant ones. Most SBOs never learn this. They worry about being at the office too much, or not enough. They worry about "not being there" for every tiny decision.

Third, the typical SBO would rather whine than work.

"I tried to call some vendors, but I couldn't get through."

"I put in 60 hours, what is it going to take?"

"If I had better help this business would turn around."

There's no doubt that small business owners across the planet are putting in a lot of hours, but are they engaging in high profit activity?

How can SBOs gain the money and freedom they dream about?

1. Do only the essentials. Train the staff to do the rest. 2. Focus on proven profit centers. Stop experimenting. 3. Work without whining. Don't make excuses, make money.

Paul Evans is the managing partner of http://www.Embattled.net. Embattled helps small business owners make more money and find more time to do what they enjoy.

---

North County San Diego Small Business

North County San Diego has had some significant growth, and... Read More

Business Failure, The 8 Traps Causing Failure And The One Attribute Which Ensures Business Survival

It is estimated that 78% of all small business start-ups... Read More

Are You a Small Business Lone Ranger? Take My 10-Question Quiz To Find Out!

So what exactly is a "Small Business Lone Ranger?" A... Read More

Six Essential Skills to Business Success!

The following are six essential skills to business success. You... Read More

Provide Affordable Health Care To Employees At Little To No Cost To You

You can provide affordable health care plans to your employees.... Read More

We Know Who THEY Are

Am I the only one that does not have an... Read More

Youll See It When You Believe It - Growing Your Business from the Inside Out

What unspoken message are you sending your clients and customers?... Read More

How to Promote Your Business by Entering Contests

You are probably hard at work promoting your business (and... Read More

How to Create an Employee Manual

Large corporations use employee manuals to both educate employees about... Read More

Debt Collection Techniques

Here are some sound debt collection techniques that can be... Read More

How to Find Success in the Import Export Business

Take advantage of world politics today and start your own... Read More

Employee Relations Manual Sample Outline

Most smart entrepreneurs and all large corporations have Employee Relations... Read More

Got Stimulation?

An observation while returning home from a seminar: Getting away... Read More

What is your Motto?

Company mottos can easily be printed on a business card.Sometimes... Read More

Do Your Best; Hire the Rest

One of the hidden perks of raising six children is... Read More

Starting Your Small Business

Where do you find more customers?How do you compete with... Read More

Learning and Growing

As you reflect on this year and prepare for next... Read More

9 Things You Must Do To Maximize Your Chances Of Obtaining A Small Business Loan

To get approval for your small business loan application, you... Read More

Small Business Planning -- Three Myths

Are you -- like 70 percent of small business owners... Read More

Analyzing Customers in Your Business Plan

The Customer Analysis section of the business plan assesses the... Read More

Is a Small Business Web Site a Wise Investment?

One of the greatest pitfalls in e-commerce is Field of... Read More

How to Achieve Real Success in Business: Five Breezy Tips

Achieving real success should be the goal of any good... Read More

6 of 1, Half Dozen of the Other

Motivational author and speaker Jim Rohn says that for a... Read More

Increase Your Profits with a Point of Sale (POS) System

Whether you operate a chain of restaurants, a mom-and-pop convenience... Read More

Politics, Environmental Rules, and Mobile Car Washes

During the California Recall Election, I was very interested. Without... Read More

Keeping your Business Alive

As long as you eat and breathe you will stay... Read More

Bad Regulators Cost Small Businesses

When a regulator finds a target to go after to... Read More

Effective Customer Interviews Make Life Much Easier!

One of the critical success factors for service-related businesses is... Read More

If You Want to Work from Home

Here are some important points to take note of if... Read More

Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Joining a Professional Association

I'll be the first to admit that I went a... Read More

Small Home Business: Ad Copy Secrets

So it's time to invest some finances into advertising your... Read More

Setting Up a Pressure Washer Rig to Clean Concrete

Maximum efficiency in the cleaning industry is a key to... Read More

What is Business Process Automation?

Business Process Automation or BPA for short. This was a... Read More