Start Your Business Week by Week, 2nd Edition

Introduction

So, you’re thinking of starting your own business? Congratulations: that makes you one of the most important people in the country. Entrepreneurs create jobs, provide innovative products and services, and serve local communities. They make things better.

Starting a business is one of the most challenging and rewarding things you can do in your life. It may surprise you, however, that only a select group of people ever try it. Statistically, if there are 1,000 people in the company you work in now, there are 390 who think they see an opportunity for a business.¹ Out of those how many will actually have a go at running their own business? Fifty, sixty? Nope. Statistically, three of you will become entrepreneurs.²

This number is so ...