I have had many jobs in my lifetime: office assistant, bookkeeper, and general manager of a roofing company, and, most recently, coffee shop owner. I was not looking to become involved in the ownership of a business; I just "fell into it- so to speak. Many Americans dream of being the boss, of owning a business of some type, whether it be as accountants, lawyers, computer programs, or restaurateurs. To most people it sounds good when you say "I own a business,"" and much of it is good, but not all.
The idea of owning your own business is part of the American dream and appeals to most people because it provides them with independence and control over their destiny; being the boss has a certain allure to it. According to statistics provided by the U.S. Small Business Administration, "there are approximately 25 million small businesses in (this) country."" This accounts for a large number of jobs in our economy, and without small business, which accounts for nearly one half of our country's employment, we would lose a huge portion of our trade and industry (NASE, 2003, Small Business as the Engine of Economic Growth, 1 and 2). Little do we know, when starting out, that we do not become owners of a business the business actually owns us.
Normally, if you were considering opening a business of your own you would do some research. The first step would be to decide what type of business you had the skills or interest to pursue and if you have the true entrepreneurial spirit. .
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As stated on the NASE web site: (NASE, 2003, The Mainstreaming of Entrepreneurism and Small Business, 3).
Today's entrepreneur isn't as much focused on money and power as he or she is "wildly excited- about an idea and utterly convinced of its success and its ability to change the industry, the world and how people live. (FORTUNE June 7, 1999) .
You can also take an entrepreneurial test offered by the "Women's Business Center- on their web site (http://www.