Do you have what it takes to become a successful entrepreneur?

These questions can help you narrow down your options and finally find your place in an entrepreneurial world.

What are your interests?

While you don’t have to be an expert in the business you choose to start, it will help you get ahead of the game if you already have an interest in it. If you are passionate, better for you. What’s more, if you really are a member of the audience for your business idea, then that’s even better because you’ll already have a lot of the information you need to get started.

How much starting capital do you have?

Don’t panic if you don’t have anything to start with, but it’s good to be precise and know what you have. Find out if there are things you can sell quickly to raise some money and get started. This is not the time to think about a cake in the sky, this is a time to be realistic.

What skills do you have?

Often times, starting with your target audience is the best way to choose a business. If you can lower your skill level and the type of people you want to work with, you can go a long way in choosing a business to start.

What skills can you buy?

When starting a business, it’s important to realize that you can’t (and shouldn’t) do everything. If your budget is tight, you may need to start with what you know rather than what you can buy. However, knowing what you can buy will help you envision the future as your business grows.

What skills should you learn?

If you’ve noticed that you have holes in your skill level, are they skills that you can learn? If you’ve come up with something that needs a license, can you get it? How long will it take? How much will it cost? How will you get to class? Are they online or offline?

What resources do you have?

Some of the resources you already have may be a computer, Internet access, and even your skills and the people you know. Make a list of any resource, be it a person, place, or thing that can help you achieve your business ownership goals.

What resources do you need?

As you listed the resources you have, you probably came up with some resources that you don’t have but need. Do not panic. Just make the list and think about listing them in order from “must have” to simply “want to have”.

How much time do you have to dedicate?

If you currently have a job that you must go to and want to start a part-time business, it’s important to identify how much time you can realistically spend getting a business off the ground right now. Even if it’s only two hours a night after dinner, there is something you can do to start a business.