Rice Carole Ann - Start your dream business: secrets of successful and happy entrepreneurs

Copyright 2013 Sarah Wade and Carole Ann Rice

Published in 2013 by

Marshall Cavendish Business

An imprint of Marshall Cavendish International

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National Library Board, Singapore Cataloguing-in-Publication Data:

Wade, Sarah.

Start your dream business : secrets of successful and happy entrepreneurs

/ Sarah Wade & Carole Ann Rice. Singapore : Marshall Cavendish Business, 2013.

p. cm.

eISBN : 978 981 4435 64 2

1. New business enterprises Planning. 2. Small business Management.

3. Entrepreneurship. I. Rice, Carole Ann. II. Title.

HD62.5

658.11 dc23 OCN823269134

Cover art by Cover Kitchen

Printed and bound in the United Kingdom by TJ International Ltd

CAN YOU EARN good money doing something you love? And can you do it by working for yourself?

This book is for anyone who has ever had the idea of setting up their own dream business but has yet to do so for a number of reasons.

It might be not wanting to give up the security of a regular salary and a pension. Or it might be the lack of know-how or being unsure of what business to start. Or it might simply be the fear of failure the main reason people cite for not setting up on their own.

This is also a book for anyone who feels unfulfilled at work, who feels their creativity is not utilised, not appreciated, not required. Its for anyone who no longer wants a boss, or to have to ask permission for time off.

I wanted to know if there is an alternative, if something else is possible. Can you be your own boss, and succeed?

The book features interviews I have conducted with 16 entrepreneurs from around the world, each of whom has changed direction, started their own business and made a real success of it. Interestingly, for each of them, success has a different meaning. And this is because they are amazingly different individuals, drawn from all walks of life.

Talking to these men and women has been fascinating. I have come to admire every one of them for their skills, their drive, and, above all, their tenacity and determination to make things happen. I very much hope you will be as inspired by them as I have been. I asked them to share their experience and demonstrate to others that it can be done.

What they have taught me is that a major part of being a successful entrepreneur is a mindset rather than a set of skills or capabilities. With the right approach, you can become your own boss and create something from nothing.

Each entrepreneur I interviewed was driven by a passion to solve a problem, make something amazing, or improve other peoples lives I was surprised to discover in each case it was never just about the money. As the clich goes, they do what they love, and the money has followed.

But its not just about having a dream and a mindset. There are practical lessons to be learned, and to that end, my co-author Carole Ann provides a wealth of good business advice at the end of each chapter.

Sarah Wade

BEING MADE REDUNDANT from the Birmingham Post as fashion and lifestyle editor was the best career move I didnt actually choose to make. OK, I had about three hours of heated indignation, but then I started to think about my options.

As a journalist I had enjoyed some awesome assignments morning coffee with Terence Stamp at Fortnum and Mason, lunch with the Duchess of York, afternoon tea in a broom cupboard with Stephen Fry. I was privileged to interview such glittering names as Paloma Picasso and Lord Lichfield, and get sent on international assignments from Moscow to New York.

Yet all of it pales in comparison with the sheer thrill of retraining to be a life coach and the joy of being my own boss and having my own business.

True, I dont have sick leave, paid holidays or a big group of colleagues to conspire and socialise with. But I choose my hours, work with incredible people who have also turned my life around, make more money than in any previous paid employment and get 100 percent job satisfaction.

Ive been at home to see my children grow and Ive never missed a nativity play. I have a great work-life balance, and most precious of all, I have complete autonomy.

The satisfaction of seeing my business grow, discovering new skills (such as public speaking and social media), making my own money and discovering new ways to increase my profits is immense.

Business owners are different. They have that five-mile stare, that look of not being quite with you as they ponder their towering to-do lists whilst keeping their eyes firmly fixed on their vision and beyond.

They look a little dark around the eyes from late nights, not switching off and getting up early in the eternal pursuit of catching up.

They are optimistic types interested in new ideas. Dreaming big is what they do best. Tired but happy they passionately put in the hours to service clients needs, meet orders or design new offers for their businesses, and they always love to hear how others in business have made it.

Oh, and they know the power of good shoes. After all, when youve put in all that hard work you have to have the occasional treat.

Why not join us? Yes, its scary, there are risks aplenty and few guarantees. But it is a life well lived and the rewards are manifold.

Of course the market is flooded but trust me, there is always limitless room for success.

See you at the top.

Good luck!

Carole Ann Rice

You see, Dorothy, you had the power within you all along.

Glinda the Good Witch

The Wizard of Oz

Follow your passion I used to read things like that and think they were really corny. But you cant tell me Im not heading in the right direction. I was on the front page of the local paper, and my muse milliner contacted me to say shes so inspired by what Im doing!