Preparing to Launch Your Small Business

Small business owners often enter their field with great expectations. Unfortunately, reality strikes shortly afterwards. Here's how you can enter the entrepreneurial battle ground with confidence...

First, embrace the optimism but don't be blind to the obstacles in your path. You set yourself up for failure when your expectations are too high. You should expect success. You should expect financial rewards. But you should also expect difficulties. There is a price to pay for success and sacrifices will be made. If you prepare yourself, you will not lose heart when the difficult times come.

Second, use this time to build and strengthen key relationships. Pre-conflict deployment is about more than planning and organizing. It is also about building a support network, a supply line if you will, of strong relationships that can sustain you through the battle in which you are about to engage. If you are married, use this time to draw closer to your spouse. He or she can be your greatest advocate or your biggest obstacle. A new business venture can put a strain on even the strongest of marriages, so solidify this relationship above all others.

In addition to strengthening your relationship with your spouse, build strong relationships with friends and mentors who will offer honest and objective advice. Surround yourself with positive and realistic individuals who can contribute to your success. And, on a very practical note, get to know a good banker, insurance broker, attorney, and accountant. If possible, develop a personal relationship with these professionals. You are likely to stretch these relationships to the limits during the initial stages of your business. If these individuals feel a personal connection to you, they are more likely to deliver when you need them.

The battle plans are drawn. The men and material are in place. You are about to engage in one of the most incredible, gratifying, difficult and terrifying experiences of your life. You should stop for a moment and take a deep breath. Remember what got you this far. Remind yourself that this won't be easy, but tell yourself that failure is not an option.

Paul Evans is the executive creator for http://www.embattled.net - A site for small business owners with the will and desire to become wealthy. Join other small business owners at http://www.embattled.net

cleaning service near Bannockburn ..
In The News:

Learn how to act against cybercriminals in 2026 with essential security steps like two-factor authentication, software updates and credit freezing.
Choose between OpenAI releasing Sora text-to-video model, the AI race heating up, or Waymo driverless cars launching in cities across the country
Learn how to set up Google Maps and Apple Maps on your phone to automatically remember where you parked. Step-by-step instructions for enabling location services and parking detection.
Phishing scammers use rnicrosoft.com domain to impersonate Microsoft by replacing "m" with "rn" in typosquatting attacks that steal login credentials.
OpenAI announces new teen safety rules for ChatGPT users under 18, blocking romantic roleplay and requiring extra caution on body image topics.
A 2025 data breach at fintech company 700Credit exposes personal information of more than 5.8 million people through compromised third-party integration partner.
Retailers lose $76.5 billion annually to return fraud as nearly 10% of U.S. retail returns involve fraudulent activity, with $850 billion in returns expected in 2025.
ShinyHunters claims responsibility for stealing 94GB of Pornhub user data affecting over 200 million records and demands Bitcoin ransom.
ChatGPT 2025 now connects to Apple Music, Canva, Expedia, TripAdvisor and OpenTable through built-in apps that help users create playlists, design graphics and more.
Apple releases emergency patches for two zero-day vulnerabilities actively exploited in attacks. iPhone and iPad users urged to update immediately.
DoorDash launches Zesty, an AI-powered social app that recommends restaurants through conversational search, now testing in San Francisco and New York.
Cybersecurity firm Infoblox reveals that over 90 percent of parked domains now redirect visitors to scams and malware, making simple typos extremely dangerous.
The Fox News AI Newsletter covers the latest artificial intelligence technology advancements, including the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
GPT-5.2 is now live for all ChatGPT users with improved coding, writing and image interpretation, with Kurt Knutsson offering his review.
New iPhone replacement scam uses pressure tactics and fake carrier calls to steal devices from buyers. Criminals claim shipping errors and demand urgent returns.
Amazon Ring's new facial recognition feature sparks privacy controversy as Electronic Frontier Foundation critics argue the AI upgrade expands surveillance risks.
New Android banking trojan Sturnus steals credentials, reads encrypted messages and controls devices.
Denmark's 3D-printed student village proves automation builds 36 apartments faster than traditional methods. Skovsporet project shows housing future.
Discover Android's new Sound Notifications feature that alerts you to smoke alarms, doorbells, and baby cries even when wearing headphones.
New SantaStealer malware reportedly threatens holiday shoppers with password theft. This Christmas-themed info-stealer targets browsers and crypto wallets.
The Christmas season brings a surge in Netflix phishing scams targeting shoppers with fake emails. Stacey P received convincing scam but verified account first.
San Francisco Giants invite Jamie Grohsong to throw ceremonial first pitch at Oracle Park after he learned to play baseball with a bionic hand following an injury.
FBI warns cybercriminals are stealing family photos from social media to create fake proof of life images in virtual kidnapping scams targeting victims.
Instagram's new 'Your Algorithm' tool lets you control your Reels feed in real time. The app now gives you power to customize what videos you see.
Major Marquis fintech breach exposes 400,000-plus Americans' data through unpatched SonicWall vulnerability, with Texas hardest hit at 354,000 affected.

Finding a Venture Capital Firm

Many ventures are faced with the challenging task of raising... Read More

Is a Small Business Web Site a Wise Investment?

One of the greatest pitfalls in e-commerce is Field of... Read More

When to Say NO!

When is it a good thing to say no to... Read More

Web Based CRM Systems: Get Mobile; Get Results

Everyday more web based companies enter the business scene. The... Read More

Why Do Franchisors have Exclusive Territories

The reason we Franchisors call it an exclusive territory is... Read More

Starting a Pressure Washing Business

Are you thinking of starting a small pressure washer business... Read More

Do Home Businesses Complicate Small Business Debt Collection Laws?

The home-based business market, sometimes called the SOHO (small-office/home-office) market,... Read More

Entrepreneurs Go Virtual!

With the massive explosion of start-ups and home businesses developing,... Read More

Arent Small Businesses Lucky?

Why? Because they have access to world class public relations... Read More

Batting Cages Business - Making Profits With The Swing Of A Bat

There is a Batting Cages Business for those people who... Read More

Comparing Boston Area for a mobile car wash business

The Boston suburbs seem to be rich with possible locations... Read More

Starting a Tractor Washing Business

In the heavy equipment cleaning business you can make good... Read More

How to Successfully Avoid Becoming One of The 80% of Small Businesses That Will FAIL

It's a commonly quoted statistic: 80% of all small businesses... Read More

Shortcuts Will Kill Your Business

Think of your business as a living, breathing, organism. It... Read More

Carwash Franchisor Case Study

There are only a handful of car wash franchises in... Read More

Small Businesses You Can Start in Automotive

There are many choices when thinking about a small business... Read More

Earn More Money in Your Small Business by Creating a PIG

If you really want to earn more money with your... Read More

Procrastinate Your Way To A Successful Small Business

What will your business look like a year from today?If... Read More

Why Small Businesses Fail (or Fail to Thrive)

Tammy, a skilled and gifted horticulturist, called me to discuss... Read More

5 Steps To Success for Small Business Owners

Everyone wants to succeed in life. Most people want to... Read More

Small Business Secrets: Self-Confidence Can Be Arranged

At first blush this idea might be difficult to wrap... Read More

Small Business Pricing Strategies

TACTIC #1 -- Never simply slash your prices, unless you're... Read More

Local Government Relations for Small Business

Most small businesses simply go about their daily business and... Read More

How Mastering 5 Essential Money Making Ideas Can Lead Your Business to Longterm Cashflow

Essentially there are 5 tremendously powerful methods to make money... Read More

Mobile Car Washes and Shoe Policies

Mobile carwashing is hard work, it is tough on the... Read More

pet-friendly home cleaners Mundelein ..