8 Ways To Know If You Are Meant To Be A Business Owner

You’ve been dreaming of the day you’ll become a successful business owner. But do you really have what it takes? Are you really cut out for the entrepreneur path? Can you be taught the skills necessary to run a successful business – or is it something you’re born with?

A recent study reported on Inc says that if business students take as least two core entrepreneurship classes, that is enough to positively influence them into starting up a business later in life.

And while the study was conducted by analyzing students attending college and going for a business degree, I think the same applies to people in general contemplating a business, who decide to pursue a few classes to throw the odds into their favor.

Entrepreneurs are not born; they are taught. And the more desire you have in becoming a business owner, the greater your chances of success. Here are 8 ways you’ll know if the entrepreneur road is for you.

1. Your goal is to have a photography studio that brings in a full time income. I love the story Roy Disney told reporters on the opening of Epcot in Florida. They asked Roy if he was sad that Walt didn’t live to see the opening of his dream. Roy replied not at all: because Walt visualized the whole thing before the first shovel of dirt was turned. In order to meet your goal, you have to see your goal first.

2. You can discipline yourself. Can you easily set goals for yourself and accomplish them on schedule? When you don’t have a boss telling you what to do, you have to prioritize and make sure things get done.

3. You hate working for someone else. Yes, I know; the majority of people probably fall into this category. But if you dig deep down inside and ask yourself, “do I enjoy working for others?” you may be surprised at the answer. Some people truly like the normalcy of having a desk, co-workers, and a boss in the corner office. They like having a paycheck and benefits. And they really don’t want to have to make decisions and face problems that effect their well being every day.

4. You want to succeed as a business owner, not just replace your income until the next job comes along. Are you looking at building a business as your lifelong venture? Or are you doing it until something better comes along. Especially now in high unemployment times, I hear many people saying they are starting their own business because they can’t find a job. But they’ll never stop looking – this is just a side venture. In order to succeed as a business owner, it has to be your 24/7/365 priority from this point forward.

5. You like change. As an entrepreneur, every day will present something new. One day you’ll be photographing, and the next day you’ll be handling your taxes. You’ll decide how to design your business cards, and what vendors to use for your production work.

6. You want to try and experience different things. By running your own business, you can decide what products and services to sell. You can be a wedding photographer today, and specialize in babies next year. You can choose to have a studio in your home, or travel the world, taking photographs along the way.

7. You like business. It’s not all about photographing. There are many things you’ll have to do along the way. Over the years, I’ve enjoyed marketing and sales just as much as I do photographing. And because you will never focus 100 percent of your time on just photographing, you have to enjoy doing other things as well.

8. It’s your dream. When you daydream, does owning a photography business enter into it every time? Owning a photography studio isn’t just a 9 to 5 job. It’s a 24 hours a day obsession. You dream it. You feel it. And you live it. If you can’t stop thinking about it, you’re definitely on the right track.

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clientexperience@todaysgrowthconsultant.com' About Virtual Photography

We're the co-founders of VirtualPhotographyStudio.com and have been writing on this blog since 2004. We started Virtual as a way to help photographers stretch beyond a part time income, and develop strategies to become a Five Figure Photographer or a Six Figure Photographer. Ultimately its all about lifestyle, and if your goal is to live as a photographer 24/7, we think you should have the knowledge and the tools to do so. Welcome!

  • http://www.puppycatphotography.com Kim Widmark

    Wow, this is just the article I needed to read right now! Some truly useful information that has inspired me today. I totally obsess about owning my own photography business EVERY day. I believe I’m on the right track and read your posts every day. Thanks Lori!!