Greetings everyone, and welcome once again to my All Star Entrepreneur Team!
I hope that you all had a wonderful 4th of July holiday weekend. A little down time with family and friends, and enjoyed a nice relaxing weekend.
But, guess what!? It’s time to get back to it and on top of your game!
I wanted to share with you some tidbits about being a small business entrepreneur, that might just come in handy for you, or someone you know.
As most of you know, I’ve had the great privilege to be both, a “brick and mortar” business entrepreneur (for over 25 years now!), and now, an entrepreneur in the world of internet marketing, and writing and publishing books, and being a professional speaker. Both pathway have their “pros and cons”, but truthfully, I’m enjoying the latter much more because (1) I can work from the comforts of my own home office, (2) I can avoid the terrible traffic and commute, on the roads and freeways, (3) I can utilize my “creative juices” much more than in a typical business, and not having to answer/please a bunch of co-workers, (4) and, probably best of all, I’m my own boss and don’t have to deal with personnel issues from having to work side by side with a team of people, (5) oh, and probably most important, is that I work as many or as few hours as I’d like to. When all of my friends are hustling and bustling in their “9 to 5’s”, I’ve got time for me, the family, friends, and hanging at the coffee shop from time to time. Yay! 
You too can choose which type of business entrepreneur you’d like to be. It’s never too late, but it is important to get started and stay focused and on track.
I’m sharing with you some basic, common sense, straight ahead advice to think about, but not only think about, but to implement where you can. I write about these things in my book, “Standing Above the Crowd: Executing Your Game Plan to be the Best You Can Be”. www.StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
If you interested in picking up your own personally signed autograph copy, just click on my website, order your own copy and it’ll be on its way!
Anyway, here is the information that I wanted to share with you! Start your post 4th of July holiday with a bang!!! And dive into the rest of 2016 with a vengeance!
Till now you have read some of the characteristics of entrepreneurship. “Practice makes perfect” is the motto about everything in life and especially if you are a business owner. Bookish knowledge can help you a lot to avoid mistakes but nothing beats the practical hands on experience of seeing what works for you.
You have the right passion, the right business format and all the skills. But before making the leap of faith make sure you are ready in some other aspects as well.
From starting the business to make it run smoothly requires a lot of dedication and sacrifice. Which means young or old, personal life will take some hits. Family and friends must be supportive as they must know what it takes to start a business and its effect on your family life. Lot of you may choose to have a job in the initial days of starting a business; this means all your spare time has to go for running the business.
Entrepreneurship will take its toll on your health. Being lean and mean is great for business but that often means spending longer hours doing yourself what you would pay other people to do. Thus for surviving those 14+ hour work days, seven days a week you must be at the top of your physical and mental condition. Proper nutrition and a regular exercise regime will take care of your health. It’s hard to enjoy the success lying down in the hospital bed.
Know your strong points in business and hire others to do the other jobs. Many owners think that they must be good at doing everything. This is surely not the case. Though at times knowing every aspect of the business is advantageous. Just in case anyone falls sick. From an entrepreneurial point of view having a team where you are the weakest link is not bad.
Along with knowing your strong points you also must know your comfort zones.
Are you comfortable being the boss and having employees who are older than you?
Dealing with the multiple personalities your employees possess?
Handle money and take financial decisions? Getting into debt first for starting the business before seeing profits?
Spare some years before you see enough profit to provide you a steady paycheck with?
All these are just a few things you should keep in mind and keep a back up plan or two ready just in case you run into them down the road.
If, and when you’re ready to join me and my great team of All Star Entrepreneurs, take a look at this link click here to access and sign up. You’ll receive a great 21 step program and excellent coaching every step of the way. And yes, I’ll be here with you as well!
To your good fortunes!
James Donaldson
Former NBA All Star and Small Business Entrepreneur
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
www.StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
JamesD@StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
1-800-745-3161 (voicemail & fax)
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at jamesd@yourgiftoflife.org and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
