By Alex Lewis
At some point or another, many of us have had the idea of starting our own business. There are a variety of reasons for this -- chiefly, the potential to make a profit. Instead of forcing yourself into a career with a set salary or wage, your ability to make money as an entrepreneur is limited only by your imagination. Many great American success stories have been self-made businessmen and businesswomen. Now is the time for you to write your own destiny.
David Neeleman, founder of JetBlue, started his first foray into free enterprise while he was an accounting student at the University of Utah. Using a few connections he had in Hawaii, he sold discount, all-inclusive vacations to this tropical paradise. It didn't take long for his business to take off. In fact, he started making so much money he found it necessary to drop out of college before attaining his degree. He has since opened, or at least played a role in, five different air carriers. If this man can be as successful as he is, there is no doubt in my mind one of you can do the same.
Personal knowledge in a particular field is an excellent foundation from which to begin. When I was in high school, I was heavily involved in FFA. Besides learning about farming and growing crops in a greenhouse, we gained knowledge of basic business and accounting practices. With this acquired knowledge, I opened my own greenhouse business back home. Thus far, I consider it a success.
Contrary to what you may think, it is possible to start a business with limited resources. Your largest concern, financing, isn't difficult to come by, depending on the type of business you would like to start. For example, I started my greenhouse business with a few hundred dollars I had saved for some time. If you plan it out well, it is very possible to get a business going with less than $100. Think intelligently, and you'll see your bank account grow.
The advent of computers and the Internet has completely revolutionized the way business is conducted. Never before has anyone been able to reach as many customers as today. You can have access to millions of customers with just the click of a mouse. The best part is, you don't even have to own a designated website to complete transactions.
Online marketplace, eBay, is used for buying and selling a variety of goods around the globe. There are many success stories of entrepreneurs using this website to make millions of dollars. If you have an old coin or something of use lying around your house, put it up for sale on eBay. You can use the profit to buy something else and then sell that something else for yet more profit.
There has never been a better time than now to start your business. Barriers to entry are low, and it is feasible to start a business with limited resources in today's marketplace. When you allow your creativity to take off, before you know it, you'll find out you're in business.