10 Tips to Help You Become Your Own Boss! (Video)
A couple of weeks ago I was approached by a lady who is currently employed but who would dearly love to be her own boss. But like many people she really wasn’t sure where to start.
I meet many people who are in this situation every year. Many are frightened to make the jump – but as with most jumps, some sound preparations and courage can make it safe, liberating and rewarding. In my own case making that transition changed not only my life but those of hundreds of people I have helped in the work I do now.
In the video below I share 10 tips to help you become your own boss! Enjoy…
Ten top tips
1) What are you really passionate about? And what are your skills, strengths and talents? It makes sense to utilise them.
2) What are your current circumstances practically and financially – how much money do you need and seek to make?
3) What skills, training, resources, logistics will be involved in setting up as your own boss? If you don’t know how can you find out? There are likely to be industry bodies as well as books and resources related to your field.
4) Research the relevant rules and regulations that relate to business generally and to the area that you wish to go into specifically. Websites like www.gov.uk are good for the general information and relevant trade. In addition, industry bodies can help you with your industry. Remember the rules and regulations will vary depending on the country you live in.
5) Research will be key. It’s one thing having an idea it’s another executing it and indeed knowing if there’s a market for it. Make sure you find out! Business library’s like the British Library’s Business & IP Centre are excellent to help with that process. Also, study others in the market – what are they doing well, what can you apply, what can you learn and improve on?
6) Talk to others who run businesses generally and in your area specifically. Find out how they did it, learn the ups and downs, hear their advice and suggestions. They can save you pain, heartache and cash. That said, everyone’s journey will be different.
7) Test your idea, dip your toe in the water… this can be very sensible. You’d check the heat for your bath before jumping in and freezing or scorching yourself right?
8) Build a great team and network of people who you know, like and trust who can help you. This can be the difference between success and failure.
9) Know what you want to achieve from your business personally, professionally, emotionally, spiritually and ethically …know your vision, mission and values and communicate them.
10) Monitor your progress, regularly review, re-group, re-energise. Know that things will change.
Ultimately the journey from being in a job to becoming your own boss will involve lots of changes, challenges and learning curves.
You may need to invest a lot of your time, money, effort. You are likely to make mistakes and face difficulties along the way.
The secret is actually learning from all these things, to prepare as much as you can, to make continual improvements and to be passionate about what you are doing and to deliver the best service that you can.
Above all, remember to enjoy the journey!
Rasheed Ogunlaru is an acclaimed life, business and corporate coach whose simple ‘become who you are’ approach has helped countless business owners connect with themselves, their businesses and their customers. His background spans over 20 years in coaching, training, media, PR and performance. Rasheed is the business coach partner to the British Library’s Business and IP Centre and business coach mentor to TiE UK. He is a highly sought-after public speaker and regularly appears in the media, including the BBC, The Times and the Guardian.
He is the author of ‘The Gift of Inner Success’ and ‘Soul Trader – Putting the heart back into your business.’ or Amazon
For information about coaching, motivational talks, or to order one of his inspiring books, CDs and MP3s visit his website or email him
Twitter – @RasheedOgunlaru
or call 020 7207 1082
