Starting Your Own Business
By Leslie Warner, Associate Director, Alumni Career Services

Have you ever dreamed of starting your own business? Here are resources to help you evaluate your entrepreneurial success traits, start a business , and keep it going and growing.

First ask  yourself  why you want to start your own business and how your personal strengths may help you reach that goal. The following next links will help you examine the challenges of entrepreneurship before you jump in.

Business Development Bank of Canada Entrepreneurial Self Assessment 

Georgia State University Small Business Development Center Assessment

Women’s Initiative for Self-Employment Assessment

In addition to self-assessment, you may find it useful to read what other entrepreneurs have written about the pros and cons of starting your own business:

Should I Start My Own Company?

10 Really Good Reasons to Quit Your Job and Start Your Own Business

Each budding entrepreneur’s experience will be different, but it can be inspiring to read how others have started a successful business without a lot of capital. In this interview, Tory Johnson describes launching Women For Hire, which offers recruitment services for women, with less than 100 dollars in her pocket.

Start Your Own Business for 100 Dollars or Less

As you begin to develop and implement your new business plan, be sure to take advantage of free resources. These are just a few suggestions; you will find more online, and in your community, to fit your specific needs.

U.S. Small Business Administration

S.C.O.R.E. Retired executives and entrepreneurs offer business startup advice.

Local Chamber of Commerce: Your Chamber may offer meetings, courses, networking opportunities.

My Own Business: This non-profit offers free online courses and resources.

As you build your business, be sure to connect with groups and organizations in your community. Online tools and resources can be very helpful in providing information – but the local meetings and groups will help you build your network with the savvy entrepreneurs, vendors and customers to help you succeed.