Be Weary of the Non-Entrepreneurial Entrepreneur

People entering the care business tend to be among the most noble of our society. They care about others and some even find it challenging to balance rendering the care and their need to be compensated for it. Of course, you have to get paid.

Others relate through our research that they have scaled back plans to expand and in some instances delayed entering the business of care due to advice of others close to them. This advice could be from family or others who recommend either not pursuing the goal at all – regardless of how well thought out – or perhaps doing something else with them.

Advice can be a wonderful thing but there is a need for us to consider from whom it is coming. Here are a couple of points to consider:

I. Source is Crucial

Ask yourself if this person has ever been successful in a private business endeavor. This includes your examining on what level they were successful and how they define it. A multi-year business that has provided no rise in wealth for the owner or at least the ingredients for a longer range course of fulfillment is likely not the ideal picture of where you need to go and does not represent the kind of example that would make this person credible.

II. Is Their Experience Industry Specific?

Ask yourself if they have actually been in the business model you seek to enter or at least something very similar. This is likely the only way they would be credible enough to give you the specific, experienced based advice and/or direction you seek. The one size fits all is not the right attitude toward business and their running and auto garage or a transportation company does not make them experts in skilled home health care, adult day health care or the management of a renal dialysis center.

III. Gage Their Attitude Toward Risks

Real entrepreneurs take risks. What is the attitude of this person from whom you seek advice toward risk taking? Could it be that due to their fear of taking a calculated risk they seek to restrain others from doing so as well? Misery loves company.

Of course the risks we entrepreneurs take tend to be guarded and educated ones based upon quantitative reasoning and research. However, we are willing to take them in order to secure the work-life and personal life we seek to have for ourselves and our family.

Enjoy entrepreneurlism and the freedom it creates but be sure and enter it with an open mind. Lots of fulfillment likely awaits but only if you do not allow others to rain on your parade.

Thanks for allowing us to share.