In one of my past posts, I wrote about the importance and necessity for entrepreneurs to create a Business Accountability Group (BAG) http://yourstartupstory.com/?p=204 Trust me, this group will become your life line and your flotation device when the strong tides come in.

Many folks have asked me to guide them through the process of beginning their own BAG.  Below are group guidelines and questions that will help you and your partners stay on task and motivated.

• Your group should be composed of no more than four individuals.
• Meetings should last 45 minutes to one hour.
• The person answering the questions gets all of the attention and absolutely NO interruptions.  Should you have questions or concerns, jot them down and chat about it at the end of the BAG.
• It’s important that you “actively” listen.  It is up to you to help keep your partner accountable.

B A G ~ Weekly Questions

1) What business practices helped me to meet my goals this week?

Networking groups

Internet (face book, LinkedIn, etc.)

Email/phone

2) What books/articles did I read that related to my work and helped me to grow?

3) When was I most aware that I was “on track” and focused on achieving my goals?

4) What happened this week that did not turn out the way I planned as I attempted to achieve my goals?

5) Were there any opportunities I did not take advantage of?

6) Was my plan to achieve my goals fulfilled last week?

7) What is my plan for this week?

Dream it. Believe it. Achieve it.

According to Kelly K. Spors and Raymund Flandez (www.online.wsj.com, May 2009) because of the current financial condition and the abundance of recent lay-offs, there is an entirely new entrepreneur emerging: one born of necessity.  It  is logical, right? You loose your job.  A corporate “type” individual immediately networks among friends and co-workers, gets a resume out there, and if lucky, goes on an interview or two.  This is not the opportune time to be hired.  Let’s face it, you were just fired and so were many other intelligent, motivated, qualified individuals.  So, what do you do when many months pass and you are still without a job or even a solid lead?

Rather than sitting around waiting for employment, many people are starting their own companies.  Spors and Flandez call them entrepreneurs by necessity.  Can they do it?  If you’ve read any of my posts, or done any research on your own regarding entrepreneurs, it takes a unique kind of person to build a company.  Even experienced, savvy entrepreneurs are finding the current economic times challenging.  How will this new breed of entrepreneur fare?

Are you an entrepreneur by necessity? Do you know someone that fits this description?

Dream it. Believe it. Achieve it.

Why not encourage your teen to “create” a  job…you know, be his or her own boss…as in “teen entrepreneur”?  Today’s Wall Street Journal (April 15, 2009) reports that, Faced with the darkest summer-job market since the government began collecting data after World War II, a growing number of teens are turning to entreprensurship.

If your 16-19 year old wants to make money this summer, starting a business may be the way to go.  How do they go about it? There are many resources for teens interested in start-ups including FutureCEOstart.com and “Student Center” at JA.org.   The WSJ also reminds teens thinking of starting up that they will probably need a bit of financial help to create their business for marketing materials like flyers or tools pertinent to their industry. 

Some ideas? A young girl in our small town of Ridgefield, Connecticut began a teen consignment store called “Twice Loved”.  My own son created a website/blog (www.sportsguysblog.com) that has generated revenue through ad space and he is now hiring writers and editors in order to grow his business.  The WSJ talks about a 16 year old designing web logos and selling them for $60 and another teen starting a foreign language tutoring business. 

My advice? It is the same I give adult entrepreneurs, find what you love, try to create a “niche” in that area, believe you can do it (imagine it happening and feel that power), talk the idea up to friends and family members that you trust, seek resources that will not dent your wallet (see my “tips” and this article for online help), start some “grassroots” marketing like Facebook or  Linkedin, be patient and persistent (don’t let a few obstacles get you down) eventually, you will achieve your dreams.

Teens, like adults, will have to face the present economic challenges when starting up, but, at the end of the day, they will have an experience and education built on their own merit because they have pursued the American dream.  Dream it. Believe it. Achieve it. 

For more information on this great WSJ article by Sue Shellenbarger, visit: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123975649228419167.html

Within the historical makeup of the United States lies the entrepreneur.   No matter how crazy our economic situation has presently become, our country remains, what The Economist.com (March, 2009) calls, “the beacon of entrepreneurialism”.   Rooted in the historical makeup of America are the principles of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  Our founding fathers have embedded these ideals in the walls of our country; we need to allow them to continue to feed and sustain us. 

As individuals in a vast and powerful nation, we still have the ability to Dream it. Believe it and Achieve it.  Perhaps the economic stability our country is looking for can be found if we just look at our country’s certificate of authenticity: entrepreneurs.  Taking risks in 2009 is seems absolutely crazy as people are scurrying to find safe investments, which, to some, equate to putting money under their mattresses.  We can’t stop taking risks.  Small business creates jobs and is a sure way to economic growth.  We have what The Economist calls the “most mature venture capital industry” in the world, an industry that has been around, in an organized fashion, since 1946 with The American Research and Development Corporation.

America still has it all…we can build it here in this country.   Start today, it begins with you, the entrepreneur.  Dream it. Believe it. Achieve it.

This is not a political blog.  Sometimes though, political issues arise which directly impact entrepreneurs and their quest for the American dream.  I do believe that this country is great because of our great Constitution; Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.  We have to respect the principles our founding fathers established; principles which set us apart from every other country in the world.  We are The United States of America and we can dream it, believe it, and achieve it. We can’t let anyone or anything that that away from us. We need entrepreneurs.  We need small business.  We need hard work to be rewarded.  That being said, take a look at an excerpt of Rush Limbaugh’s address to the CPAC.  Thoughts?

But, seriously, the people who have achieved great things, most of it is not inherited. Most wealth in this country is the result of entrepreneurial, just plain old hard work. There’s no reason to punish it. There’s no reason to raise taxes on these people. Barack Obama, the Democrat Party, have one responsibility, and that’s to respect the oath they gave to protect, defend and follow the US Constitution.

My husband began his first business before we were married.  Yup, I knew what I was getting into.   He didn’t have a dime in his pocket, but had big dreams and, I must say, a fantastic idea.  A friend lent him some office space and he’d ride his bike 30 miles to work each morning.   Not being able to afford a car didn’t stop him from fulfilling his dream. He was energetic and in fabulous shape as a result of the long trek to work.  I liked him.  In fact, I loved him and I admired his persistence, motivation and creativity.  

Entrepreneurs don’t think like other people.  They see the forest through the trees.  Sure, they have obstacles and temporary set backs, but they don’t let them get in the way of achieving their dream.  They find a way.  They have values, desires and characteristics that set them apart from other folks.  While their journey may take them on the road less traveled, they don’t mind because they do their way.    

After twenty years,  I’ve caught the entrepreneurial bug and it’s right here in this site…sharing what I know; helping you to do the same.  What’s your start up story? 

Anyway, I’ve knowingly left you with some questions.  You’re probably wondering, does my husband drive a car to work yet?  What was his idea?  Did it work?  What were some of the mistakes he made?  What was the greatest challenge we faced together as he started his own company? 

 You go first.  Tell me your story.  Maybe all you have is a dream right now.  That’s the most important ingredient in the recipe for success.  Now, you need to believe it.  Believe your dream can come true.  The minute you picture it happening, you’re on your way to achieving it.  Dream it, believe it, achieve it.