Are You a Wannapreneur?

1. a person who talks about organizing and managing enterprises, esp. businesses, usually with considerable initiative and risk, but never actually does it. He was a wannapreneur who liked to hang around with entrepreneurs but would never take the plunge.

Another term for this is hobbyist: someone who is satisfied by an activity or interest pursued for pleasure or relaxation and not as a main occupation. The IRS defines business for purposes of tax deductions as one that has made a profit for three of the past five years. There's a lot more to it, of course. It IS the IRS afterall. But for this article that definition will suffice. 

I do a lot of networking, and talking with people who consider themselves business owners. While chatting I often hear them say that they are not satisfied with how well their companies are doing (either money wise or customer numbers). Everyone (me included) is looking for more of something. In fact I am amazed at times when I hear someone say they have as much business as they want and don't want to grow. That's great! Good for them. But, if you're like me, There's always more people to support and help. 

So, if you want to grow your business, my question to you is: what are you willing to do about it? For those that really don't want to grow, I ask is it because you just really want a hobby? Or are you totally satisfied with the money you have coming in? You have the lifestyle you want? All the money you need (and want)? Or is there something else out there that is holding you back? 

For those that want to grow their businesses, my question to you is: are you doing everything that you possibly can to move yourself forward? Do you know who your target market is? Are you putting in time each and every week towards marketing, towards production, towards figuring out your goals and your vision? 

I get really frustrated with people that call me telling me they want to be successful, but they don't have a clue of what that means to them. they are not willing to do the work that they know -- deep down -- they have to do to put in to get success out. 

At this point is where we have to start the process. What really is their goal? What do they want to create? Do they think it's exciting to say "Hey, I'm an entrepreneur. I own my own business", yet they're afraid to truly step out into the unknown. "What if I fail? What if I succeed? Will I be laughed at? Will no one take me seriously?" These are all things that go on in peoples' minds when they are starting businesses. These are the wannapreneurs. 

What does it take to turn that sort of whiny, I wish but everyone/thing seems to be against me, type of mentality around into the spot where you can say my business is doubling, or tripling in income each month. I have so many clients and so much work that I have to find help to get it all done? First and foremost, you have to face that fear head on and say, I think I can, I think I can. Dang I did it.

There's a lot of work involved in getting to the level where you want to be if you want to be a successful entrepreneur. Start with the first step and decide: am I an entrepreneur or a wannapreneur. That will tell you where to head next.