• Are you a self-starter?   A person who starts a business must be a self-starter who can create a bu
siness 
plan, design advertising, organize work flow, and follow through on running the business. 
•  Do you get along with different personalities?  Business owners need to develop relationships with 
many people including customers, vendors (people who supply things you 
need), staff or crew (people 
who work for you), bankers, lawyers, accountants, and consultants (advisors).  Can you deal with many 
demanding customer, unreliable (forgets your order) vendor, or a upset worker?
•  Are you good at making decisions?  Small business owners need to make many decisions    — good and 
correct decisions — quickly, under pressure, and independently (on their own).
•  Do you have enough physical and emotional energy to run a business?   Business ownership is fun, 
exciting, and challenging.  And, it is a lot of work.  Do you have the energy to work 12-hour work days 
six or seven days a week?  Do you have the energy to learn how to operate the newest technology or 
keep up with the latest trends in your business area?  Do you have the ener gy to deal with customers?
•  Do you think ahead to plan and organize a system?   Business failures can be avoided if you think 
ahead to plan and organize things such as advertising, things to do, inventory (items for s
ale), business 
website, work schedule, and money flow.
•  Do you have strong motivation (willing and determine to meet a goal)?   Running a business can 
wear you down.  Some business owners feel burned out by having to carry all the responsibility for the 
success of the business.  Strong motivation will help you 
survive stress, burnout, and help the business succeed.
•  Is your family supportive of the your business?   It may 
take years for the new business to earn a profit (money).  
Your family may need to live cheaply and use some savings 
to pay business bills.  Will this upset any family member?
QUICK CHECK:
1.  What 4 things must a self-starter be able to do?
2.  a) With what 7 types of people do business owners need to 
develop relationships?  b) Is it easy for you to deal with different types of people?  c) Why or why not?
3.  a) Under which 3 conditions are business owners required to make decisions?  b)  Are you good at 
  making decisions?  c) Why or why not?
4.  a) List 2 reasons why business owners need physical and emotional ener gy.  b) Would you be willing to 
work 12-hour days to create a successful business?  c) Give a reason for your answer .
5.  Plan and organize a system of what 6 things to help prevent business failures? 
6.  a) Define "strong motivation."  b) Strong motivation will help you survive what 2 things?  c)  Are you 
good at dealing with stress?  d) Why or why not?
7.  a) If you started a business in the future, what type of business would you start?  b) Do you think that 
you will enjoy owning a business?  c) Give reasons for your answer in an essay of 50 words or more.	
Is Self-Employment for You?
U.S. Work World
CAREER mini-lesson
College & Career Publishing. Permission to use with usworkworld.com subscription.