So many people dream of starting their own business, but have no idea how to go from working for someone else at a 9 to 5 to being their own boss. They worry that they aren’t the right kind of person, that they don’t have the right kind of attitude, or that they simply lack something intrinsic that every successful business owner has. Luckily, it’s not nearly as complicated as that. In many cases, starting your own business just requires a few foundational attributes, such as passion for your idea, a tolerance for taking risks, and knowing when to jump at a weakness or a gap in the market – everything else flows from these. Passion for what you do can’t be taught unfortunately, but you’d be surprised what the right mentorship can do to your ability to become a successful business-owner. Read on to learn more.

Guts and brains

While a willingness to jump at opportunities is frequently cited as the secret to success in business, it’s not the whole story. It takes more than courage to take the plunge, quit your current job and build a successful business. It even takes more than a winning idea for a product or service; you need to be able to survey the market, analyse your competition and make intelligent, informed decisions. You certainly need to be able to make the hard decisions that expose your company to risk with the potential for huge reward, but without anything to back it up you might as well be playing a game of chance. It’s one thing to the wherewithal to seize opportunities, but you need to be able to recognise them.

Getting the right education

Fortunately, it’s easier than you’d think to learn how to know when to leap. Finding the right mentor or getting a formal education in business can give you the foundation you need to start your new enterprise with confidence. Not only can a qualification in business give you the theoretical background you need to make smarter decisions for your company, it also shows potential business partners and colleagues that you’ve taken the time to understand the principles that underpin your role, making it value even for those with previous business experience. If you’re already running a business and you’re looking to show your commitment to your organisation, consider speaking to a registered training organisation about recognising prior learning. Many entrepreneurs with a few years of experience in an industry are surprised at how little time and money it costs to satisfy any outstanding requirements, allowing them to get a fresh qualification with ease. Speak to the team at Skills Certified to learn more.