The New Brat Pack – Your Entrepreneurship friends

Think you have what it takes to start a business?  Of course you do.  But you need to examine a lot more than just the traditional check lists for your business plan or your ability to display some highly hyped entrepreneurial characteristics.

For example, how is your health?  Yup.  Bet you didn’t think that one was so important so do an assessment of your fitness, daily eating habits and overall wellness.

Also how are your relationships?  How is your personal life?  And don’t be too quick to brush this off as this can be a key touch point to gauge your future success.

I bet you’ve never seen this topic on a start-up list.  It’s CRITICAL.  You are going to encounter all types of hurdles – financial, delays with your product, customer problems, tech issues – and you need a strong personal AND entrepreneurial relationship base.

My entrepreneurial friends have been crucial to my business.  They’ve recommended vendors – i.e. when I need a web designer and didn’t have to sort through all 8000 vendors online.  They’ve kept me calm and revved up when things are getting tough with business.  And bouncing ideas of new launches or new services?  Love them!  I can’t tell you how many times I struggled with something and a friend will spot a solution that I never knew existed.

You can’t pay for that type of help..well really love!  Some might call it a Mastermind group and set up elaborate meetings using this principle.  I call it my “Save my A***” group and have continually been blown away at how much willing everyone is to receive and give help to each other.

And let’s not forget the inspiration I find when another entrepreneurial friend has success – it’s both exciting to celebrate their win as well as reminding me what’s possible for my own business.

I also can’t speak about how invaluable your close friends and family are in the entrepreneurship process.  Really that’s a whole ‘nother post!  lol.  Whether you have strong relationships with your family or whether you are sitting in a therapist’s waiting room right now reading this blog – your family and your close network have a big influence on your potential business success.

So examine your relationships.

• Have you been “depositing” goodness into them?  Where can you improve in this area?
• Is there someone in your circle that might be willing to help out more if you ask?  Now is the time.
• Is there someone you need to spend less time.  Let’s keep it real – don’t spend too much time with the naysayers.

So what are your thoughts on family and friends in your business ?  Let me know and stay tuned for my next item for the “Why you need alot more than money to start a business” series.