Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs Looking to Start a Business in 2018

I opened my first brick and mortar business on my own in 2015. Ever since then I’ve been the proud owner of Kansas City’s first and only self serve bar. The thing that drives me crazy though, are the people that have absolutely no idea what goes in to making a business run. Entrepreneurs aren’t blessed by little money fairies who sprinkle us with magic money dust.

We’re in the trenches taking grenades on a daily basis.

UNDERSTAND your limitations. If your not good at something, then expect to pay someone for it. Or work like crazy figuring it out.

UNDERSTAND people. Understanding how to work with people, how to sell to people, and how to build productive relationships.

UNDERSTAND what your getting into. This isn’t a change of careers. This is a change in lifestyle.

UNDERSTAND what it is that you can lose. If your putting in any money, then you should be able to live without it.

EXPECT long hours. Like really really long hours. Seriously, don’t expect to sleep for a full year.

EXPECT an emotional rollercoaster. You will be up when cash flow is great and beyond depressed when it’s slow.

EXPECT to be on your own. Noone is going to care about your business as much as you do.

Hope that helps! The entrepreneurial path can be a trip! It’s not all fun and games. It’s definitely a lifestyle that you’ve got to learn to adjust to. Hustling everyday, with no real guidelines, can be incredibly frustrating. It’s as frustrating as it is rewarding. So if you’re one of those people that will give your heart and soul to something just so you can be proud of your accomplishments. Then you’re an entrepreneur at heart and you’ll do just fine.

Originally published at ScottKalwei.