By Lisa Nicole Bell
Starting
a business can be daunting. I’ve often said that if you want to know
what you’re made of, there are three ways to find out: have a child, write a
book or start a business.
For women in particular, there are special issues to consider
before taking the plunge. Here are four key things that every woman should
do and consider before she starts a business.
Define Success for Yourself
The comparison trap presents massive temptation in business. With
social media, press and events, you may find yourself jealous of the traction
and attention other people are getting in business. You have to define what
success looks like for you. Maybe you want to be able to pick your kids up from
school every day or maybe your business idea is massive and will take many
years to build.
Remember that your business should fit into your vision for your
life, not the other way around. Before you begin your company, think about
whether you’re truly interested in living the life of an entrepreneur and what
fits into your vision of success.
Consider Family and Kids
Women are usually the primary caregivers to children and ill
family members. If you’re starting a business, think about what the time
commitment and uncertainty may mean for those around you. You might have to
delay having another baby or you may decide to move to a city where you have
more support for your existing family structure. Some of the stress that comes
with being a working woman and working mother can be alleviated with careful
planning and forethought.
Prepare Your Mind for Battle
Starting a business is trial by fire. You’ll be tested, stretched, and
challenged in unimaginable ways, but the reward is very much worth it. Taking
proper care of your mind, body, and spirit becomes increasingly important when
you’re responsible for the direction and success of a company
and team
Choose Your Team Carefully
When I started working on my latest venture, I sat down and made a
list of things I wanted in a partner. Having worked with a wide range of
personalities throughout my career, I learned the hard way that teams have to
be complementary in order to be functional. As a woman, I don’t want to be
perceived as difficult to work with, but there sometimes just isn’t a way to
set a boundary without making someone upset. Be prepared to make decisions that
other people may not like. Most importantly, I wanted a partner who had a great
attitude, a strong work ethic, and a flexible approach to problem solving.
These are traits I share, and they’re traits that make for strong co-founders.
The more clear you are about what’s important to you personally
and professionally, the easier it will be to start and run a successful
company. Make the tough decisions now so you can have peace of mind later.
