Chicken Soup for the Entrepreneur's Soul

November 19, 2013 10:07 AM

So I asked you for help solving my problems and said I'd do a three-part series over three weeks- thing is, I'm still on the first. Please help me with my business.

So I got some great advice last time, although I wish I could've gotten more people's reflections, but I realize that I wasn't specific enough. I've started keeping a journal about my business to encourage myself to keep moving in the right direction.

And so thanks to this journal I've realized my real problem and the real question that I need answered: I'm seeking something to the effect of a sophisticated chicken soup for the entrepreneur's soul. Apparently this book does exist! I think I'll get it even though I don't like the series, but I'm desperate here.

I need encouragement to keep going more than anything else. I've realized that my biggest obstacle in the way of success is my own spirits and attitude. I'm just not sure if this is going to work, and although I have the resources to give it 6-12 more months to find out if it can, my spirits are low and I feel down about the whole thing. Like I said in my last post, I am making continual progress forward, but the sheer WEIGHT of my insecurities is the biggest thing holding me back. I'm constantly worrying about if this is viable, and it's standing in my way.

Please provide me any sources of inspiration, encouragement, strategies to manage my frustrations and insecurities in regards to business, that you can offer. I would really appreciate it. So far, as mentioned I've started journaling once a week which has been really helpful. I've started brainstorming on the isolation factor in all of this (working from home which means that I don't leave the building that I live in as often as I think is necessary for good mental health). I'm trying to network more and be more open with those I know about what I'm doing (before I felt too insecure to tell people, I wanted to see more progress first) in hopes that they can help.

Thank you very much in advance.

posted by cacao to Work & Money (10 answers total)

I think that you need more than what this community can offer you at this point. Are you going to post a question each week looking for encouragement and support? That's not sustainable by any means, but it sounds like that's what you need, and because of that I think you should look into getting a career coach, counselor, or therapist so that you can have someone who specializes in this area of things be there for you and help you get organized. You said it yourself that you are your own biggest obstacle. Getting therapy will help you unravel the things that are getting in your way, so try that first (or again, if you've already tried) rather than using AskMe as an ersatz support system. We're not equipped to give you the constant encouragement you need. You should work on being able to do that for yourself instead of seeking it externally.
posted by These Birds of a Feather at 10:22 AM on November 19, 2013

[OP, it's okay for you to ask about different aspects of a singular topic but please make them individual questions not "Part X in a series" or else they start to seem more like "This week's question about the same topic" contact us if you have questions.]
posted by jessamyn at 10:29 AM on November 19, 2013

Point noted- disregard any reference to this being a series. Still would appreciate some advice (will not threadsit either)- I think I've provided a specific question unique from my previous ones.
posted by cacao at 10:31 AM on November 19, 2013

I think you need to get with someone who can really assess your business model. So far you've worked for a year, bleeding money, and have seen nothing in return.

Your inspiration will come from remuneration. Unless and until you see money flowing back to you, I don't see how this business is in any way sustainable. And the appropriate emotional response to this situation is fear, anger, resentment and more fear.

My recommendation is to work with someone from SCORE to help you evaluate what you're doing, and to understand how you can have better business practices. Meeting with someone who can vet your business plan will make you feel better about your business, as will learning things that can improve your business.

One thing that springs to mind immediately is to NOT use your own money for travel expenses. If these businesses are serious about your services, they should be paying your expenses.

Too many people get wrapped up in "owning a business" and pretty much just fritter away their savings until they have no more money and have to go to work for a company.

In your contracts, is there a non-performance clause? Something that says that if they choose NOT to expand into a market, that you'll still be paid? If not, that seems like a glaring oversight on your part. Part of using a consultant is to discover if something is feasible. If after working with you they decide against expansion, where does that leave you?

I know that I'm melding your required answer with your first question, but I'm genuinely concerned.

Money talks, bullshit walks. And having the best attitude in the world about a shitty business plan won't help anything.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 10:36 AM on November 19, 2013

I think this is exactly what personal/business coaching is all about. Look for a "coach" in your area, and try to get someone in your price range whom you respect and/or like.

I would _not_ depend on this person to have good business sense, accounting knowledge, or business planning expertise. But he or she will help you to focus on positive thoughts and to think systematically about what you want and where you spend your time.
posted by amtho at 10:38 AM on November 19, 2013

You need a mentor. There are many mentoring programs out there, so find one in your area or your line of business.
posted by xingcat at 10:55 AM on November 19, 2013

Agreeing with some of the other advice about getting clear on your business. For free, check out The Personal MBA by Josh Kaufman at your public library -- there's a lot of distilled insight about drilling down to the most important aspects of business, it could help you decide whether to let go or keep holding on. There's another interesting book called Getting Everything You Can Out of All You've Got by Jay Abraham that could help you see if there are any other strategies you haven't maximized yet. Feeling more confidence that your efforts will eventually pay off could help with fueling motivation.

There are also a lot of blogs designed for exactly this purpose -- to provide a forum, encouragement and advice/ideas for entrepreneurs. It would depend on your business, you might have to do some digging. Some of those who have inspired me include Ramit Sethi, Chris Guillebeau, Seth Godin, and Marie Forleo. If you want more of the classic inspirational speaker type, there are a lot of fire-you-up Tony Robbins speeches on YouTube, as well as TED talks of this type.

That all being said, if you've done that sort of thing already, you may want to seek out someone in person in your chosen field who has done similar things, and see if they would be open to sharing their experience. I think finding a group of people doing similar things and cheering each other on is pretty motivational. If you live in a place with Meetup.com groups, go seek out the entrepreneur groups, or co-working spaces, which also attract entrepreneurs.
posted by iadacanavon at 11:08 AM on November 19, 2013

I work as a business advisor with SBDC. Find the local/regional office on your area and get yourself free business counseling, go now. http://asbdc-us.org/
posted by franklen at 11:24 AM on November 19, 2013

I think you need a business mentor or business coach or something. The problem is that there are 3,000,000 of these and literally 2,999,500 of them are woowoo voodoo merchants and beyond useless. I personally only know one who not only doesn't suck out loud, but is great - you really need to go on personal recommendations here but I think it would be useful for you to find someone to work with.
posted by DarlingBri at 12:48 PM on November 19, 2013

In case anyone is wondering, my entrepreneur's soul is healed. I mean, I realize this is going to be a struggle to maintain a level head at times, but overall my spirits are up and even high. What gave me such a quick fix? Well, just the act of identifying my primary problem and brainstorming and acting on ways to improve. Journaling throughout and seeing fast changes. Thank you for being part of that brainstorm.
posted by cacao at 1:58 PM on December 6, 2013