First Step in Starting a Business: Introspection Hard questions to ask yourself before you up and start a business

The first step in starting a business is not writing a businessplan. Nor is it raising money, nor attending conferences, norhiring consultants, nor holding focus groups. The very first stepmust be a rich and honest conversation with.yourself!

Introspection--the detailed self-examination of your motives andfeelings--is a critical first step. Many entrepreneurs who failbypass this exercise. Being true to yourself, especially as ateenager, is important. Ask yourself these questions:

• Am I going to let an adult or peer get in the way of mestarting a business?
• If someone says my idea is stupid or won't work, will Istop believing in my idea?
• Am I motivated, tenacious, hard-working and resourceful? Am Iprepared to be a student of life?