Home
>
Success
>
The Five ?P?s of Self-Employment

The Five ?P?s of Self-Employment

The entrepreneur game is filled with an amazing variety of individuals. Laid-off workers, semi-retired individuals, inspired people with unbounded enthusiasm, and, oh yes, mothers too.

I can speak in the first person about the hardship of self-employment; the daughter of a sign shop owner, I still get nostalgic at a whiff of turpentine or paint fumes; the wife of a persistent 'start-up' husband, I've stood by many, many businesses and contract jobs while my husband ventured his talents in fields as diverse as gutter sales, RESP representative and Capital finance consultant; and memorably, I recall selling small gift items with my mother at flea markets and tried my own hand at jewellery making while still in junior high.

Yes, my experience has also opened my eyes to the devastation of bankruptcy, unreliable business partners and misleading (even deceitful) 'home business' schemes.

However, once you have the taste of independence that self-employment offers, it is mighty hard to fight back! So now, as a mother of two small children, I am more determined than ever, that I, and hopefully my husband as well, will BE self-employed with a certain amount of security and obviously, a reliable amount of income.

What can be done? Where does it start? How much will it cost? And can you come from a terrible defeat, self-employment-wise, and "rise from the ashes?"

My answer is "Absolutely!"

I swear to you that opportunity is out there. I see it, and taste it, and more importantly, I know it's been had by others. What I have also learned is that there are at least FIVE important steps I must take to realize true satisfaction in this game. Let me share them with you.

1) Perseverance.

There are probably more types of work-at-home businesses (or 'schemes') than pebbles on a beach. This can be overwhelming to a new entrepreneur. But it also means that there will certainly be something you would like to try your hand at. Keep reading, keep surfing, keep asking questions. Knowledge is everything when you're planning a real business. You'll learn as much (or more) from your failures as you will from your success.

2) Persistence.

Face it, a lot of people will get excited about a new idea, but very few will follow it through. If you try something that your gut tells you is a good idea, than persist, persist, persist. Often times what makes the difference between those who 'make it' and those who don't, is that solid businesses require a certain amount of real effort. If you are giving it all you've got, than results will come.

3) Patience.

In this world of instant satisfaction, it can come as a mind-snapping shock that MOST success stories are not made overnight. It's true that there are examples of individuals who put a few dollars into a business and became millionaires (or did they?) But you can be assured that a good business will take time to 'saturate' its market. It may be only days or weeks before you see something happen, but generally you need to expect a minimum of 6 months to a more often stated 2 years to see a reliable business take shape.

4) Positivity.

Is it all sounding too hard by now? Remember, these qualities will Set You Apart! If success was really as easy as some like to advertise, than why are there so many people struggling to pay the bills? Be Positive. If you have the entrepreneur spirit, you know you will eventually try something new, why not keep going with what you have? The rewards are there! It's been said before, but I quote this anonymous source again: Surround yourself with positive people. I guarantee this makes the difference. If your enthusiasm is being drained, DO NOT share your thoughts or progress with those individuals. Save it for when you can gloat!

5) Past Experience.

This goes back to perseverance. USE your past experiences. Never feel your investment of time or money was a waste. You cannot learn much for free these days, but these experiences will build your business on a solid foundation of knowledge, wisdom, practical experience and confidence. You will learn to trust your instincts more and more. You will spot a fraud, or at least know how to read between the lines of an offer that sounds too good to be true. Most importantly, your experience will enable you to adapt and your self-employment will be firmly fixed as your way of life from here on because of it!

I truly wish you success in your venture. In time we will all have great stories to share of our rise to self-employed FREEDOM. In the mean time, keep going! You will succeed!

Shannon Emmanuel runs her Virtual Assistant business providing valuable services for small businesses while staying home with her two young daughters. Can she help you? http://www.assistant-for-hire.com

home cleaning services Deerfield ..

In The News:

DoorDash confirms data breach exposing customer names, emails, addresses after social engineering attack. Learn how to protect yourself from scams.

Concerned about Google's AI scanning your Gmail? Learn how to disable Gemini features that access your emails, Drive files and Chat messages for privacy.

Google warns Android users about dangerous fake VPN apps hiding malware that steals passwords, banking details and personal data from phones and tablets.

Apple's digital passport feature lets iPhone users breeze through TSA checkpoints this holiday season using Digital ID technology at 250+ airports.

A new phishing scam targets family photos with fake "Cloud Storage Full" alerts. Criminals steal credit card information through fake sites. Learn protection tips.

South Korean scientists create ultra-thin fabric muscles that turn clothes into robotic assistants, lifting 33 pounds while weighing under half an ounce.

Archer Aviation has acquired Hawthorne Airport for $126M to launch an LA air taxi network ahead of the 2028 Olympics, featuring AI-powered eVTOL operations and next-gen aviation tech.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

Fake AI apps disguised as "ChatGPT" and "DALL·E" are flooding app stores with dangerous malware that steals data and monitors users without detection.

Fake buyers demand specific vehicle reports from unknown sites to steal credit card information from car sellers, but warning signs can help identify these scams before paying.

Android users can now manage apps across multiple devices more easily with Google Play Store's updated remote uninstall button in the latest update.

NASA's Perseverance rover discovers shiny metallic rock on Mars that could be a meteorite from an ancient asteroid, containing high levels of iron and nickel.

Holiday scams spike during Black Friday and Cyber Monday as criminals exploit your leaked personal data. Learn how to protect yourself from fake stores and phishing.

Commerce Department proposes TP-Link router ban over Chinese security risks. Learn how this potential prohibition could affect your home network and devices.

Hyundai AutoEver America suffered a data breach affecting 2,000 current and former employees, exposing names, Social Security numbers and driver's license information.

Washington court rules automated license plate reader images are public records, even when stored by vendors like Flock Safety, setting precedent for transparency.

Fake airline texts claiming flight cancellations are targeting travelers with convincing scams. Learn how cybercriminals steal personal data and credit card info.

Discover how iOS 26's new Adaptive Power feature automatically extends iPhone battery life by learning your usage patterns and adjusting performance intelligently.

New TikTok malware campaign tricks users into running PowerShell commands that download Aura Stealer, which steals credentials and authentication tokens.

Gaia Family offers fixed upfront pricing for IVF cycles with unlimited embryo transfers and financial protection, partnering with over 100 U.S. fertility clinics.

The Jetsons Act aims to position Pennsylvania as a leader in advanced air mobility by establishing regulations for hybrid ground-air vehicles.

Fake Geek Squad invoice emails are targeting users with convincing charges and urgent phone numbers to steal personal information and money.

Fox News Digital's artificial intelligence newsletter digs into a robot in Russia that faceplanted, George Clooney's alarm and OpenAI's rivalry with the New York Times.

Major data breach at Conduent exposes personal information of 10+ million people. Government contractor hit by cyberattack affecting Medicaid, child support systems.

Texas startup Janta Power raises $5.5M for innovative vertical solar towers that generate 50% more energy than traditional panels while using just one-third the land.

The Five ?P?s of Self-Employment

Success