Real Jobs Are Overrated

Tuition, books, student loans and a looming threat of something called "the real world" where, rumor has it, you're responsible for everything. Paying bills is an inescapable part of life, but don't think you have to stick with your coffee-fetching entry level job or sell a kidney to make next month's rent. Starting your own business can be a way of turning what you love to do into what you get paid to do.

First you need a business plan. What is the one thing you know more about than any of your friends? How can you turn that knowledge and passion into a business? Be specific and be careful- make sure you choose to do something that you really love, not just something you have a general interest in.

Kelly Emme, creator of Killercotton.com, turned her love of seeking out hard-to-find, underground designers and retailers into a growing business, but first she got sidetracked trying to start a design company. Kelly realized that while she had a passion for design, she hated sewing. What she really loved was searching for new designers. It's essential to focus on your real goals and desires. If you don't love what you're doing, you probably won't work hard enough to make your venture a success. Being specific will also help ensure your business fills a distinct niche.

Consider following Kelly's lead and going with an internet based business. You'll have a much lower overhead compared to a traditional "bricks and mortar" business because there's no need to pay rent on a physical location. Your business will be open 24/7/365 and you have the potential to reach an audience of millions.

Even though you can tap into a huge market doesn't mean you can sit back and wait for things to happen on their own. Start today! Don't get discouraged when you realize your amazing idea isn't making you millions overnight. Since it can take awhile for a new business to establish itself and take off, don't procrastinate. The sooner you begin, the sooner you'll grow. One of the most common regrets new business owners express is not starting sooner.

Be prepared to invest time and money before you start seeing that big pay off. It can take four years for an internet business to turn a pocketable profit. This doesn't mean you'll be losing money for the first four years, but it does mean that most of your generated income at that point needs to be reinvested into your company to help it grow. One of the common pitfalls of new businesses is being selfish. Don't be afraid to share your ideas once you get started. By building a solid team you'll be able to share the workload and ensure your business is ready to grow.

Finally, and most importantly- do not underestimate the importance of marketing! Customers can't utilize your services if they don't know you exist. Do research on your target audience and find marketing outlets that will help you get the word out about your business.

Good luck!