Start-up Advice

When I was young my dad told me, “Jack, you’ll never be completely happy unless you own your own business“. I can’t tell you whether those words were prophetic or simply inspirational. But I can tell you I am my own boss and I am completely happy.

Below is a list of titles. If the title is a link I’ve written the post. If not I plan to. I’ll explain each title a bit when I write the post. If you want me to do one sooner rather than later leave a comment.  If the topics are interesting to you please sign up for my RSS feed or email newsletter on the home page.

1. So you think your a contender. “Anyone” can get money and sign a lease, but not everyone will succeed as a business owner. Evaluate yourself and see if you are fit to start a business.
2. Fear, the magnet. Fear can be a healthy warning sign or as empty as an imaginary floorboard creak when you are home alone. You need to know which fear yours is and insure it doesn’t attach itself to you and derail your plans.
3. Plan your work, work your plan.
4. Hire Picasso. Allocating money in your budget for things that don’t heat water, hold coffee cups or flush can be tough to swallow, but Picasso teaches us the value of paying for knowledge and experience.
5. “Franchises have a higher success rate than independents.” Really? The word on the street is that franchises assure success. Or at least that’s a stat bandied about by…well, by those selling franchises. Read on to find out the real story.
6. Can you see it?
7. Location, location, location.
8. Got money?
9. Love the widget. People create business concepts for a variety of reasons – some good, some bad. But in the midst of all the reasons to start a business is the oft-forgotten core of why people should be in business – because they love what they do and what they sell.
10. Designer blues. Great coffee shops don’t come to being by accident. They are well thought out, designed and appointed. Read this post to find the 3 people you’ll need to make your place a great place!
11. Menu first.
12. Horse pulls cart.
13. Lighting cigars with hundred dollar bils.
14. Quit your day job. Quitting your day job is a vital step in getting your shop started. Without moving into your new role, success will elude your grasp.
15. Hire a second mechanic.
16. Lease you forget.
17. The Red Corvette. Purchasing the correct espresso machine for your business is a critical decision. Just having a certain budget or loving a specific brand will not guarantee you’ll select the correct machine. Read on to find out how to choose the correct machine for your business.
18. Love hot stuff?
19. Don’t be  bossy. Leadership is a skill that some have naturally, but most can learn. Simple and effective leadership principles will make you the kind of owner that employees will take a bullet for. This post shares critical leadership skills possessed by leaders.
20. Culture Club.
21. Know it first.
22. Dumping coffee to succeed. Although the Dutchman in me cringes at the thought, the smart businessman/entrepreneur deep down inside knows this to be true. Read why you MUST dump coffee or fail.
23. Cheapskate. All successful business owners recognize the importance of watching the pennies, but some pennies are better watched than others. Find out which ones you shouldn’t be watching!
24. Hire a third mechanic.
25. Paying for nothing.
26. Drink the ad.
27. They only come once.