The Shy Business Owner


By SaRita Hartin

Can you really own your own business if you're shy?

The short answer is: yes, of course you can.

In reality, though, you need to do some soul-searching before embarking on the journey to business ownership.

One of the most important aspects of owning and running a business of your own is getting along with many different personalities. Business owners need to develop working relationships with a variety of people including customers, vendors, staff, bankers, and professionals such as lawyers, accountants, or consultants.

Do you believe you will be able to deal with a demanding client, an unreliable vendor, or a cranky receptionist if your business demands it?

For me, the opportunity to stay at home and be with my family outweighed the stresses of having to deal with people. Over time, I’ve actually come to enjoy getting to know people, but I still have those moments when I’d rather hide out in my comfort zone. Now that my business has grown, I can’t really afford to do that.

Running your own business is difficult for anyone, but for the shy person, it really demands a very strong commitment. Is your drive strong enough? Are you motivated enough to continue building when your emotions are taking a nosedive?

Only you can answer those questions.

In business, there are no guarantees. There is simply no way to eliminate all the risks associated with starting a small business - but you can improve your chances of success with good planning, preparation, and insight. Start by evaluating your strengths and weaknesses as a potential owner and manager of a small business.

If you genuinely feel that starting a business is right for you, I would encourage you to make sure:

1. You are a self-starter and you’re willing to accept the responsibility of developing projects, organizing your time, and following through on projects.

2. You are good at making decisions quickly, independently, and under pressure.

3. You have the physical and emotional stamina to run a business – even if you have to work seven 12-hour workdays every week.

4. You have outstanding planning and organizational skills.

5. You have someone in your life with whom you can share ideas, frustrations, and victories.

So, yes, shy people can be very effective business owners. The key is to decide if you're willing and able to face the tough times when you have to put yourself out there.

If you're interested in getting help with starting your own business, send us an e-mail at business@shynesssecrets.com and we will do what we can to help you. If we start getting a lot of e-mails, we will consider setting up a special site just for shy business people (something I wish I'd had when I started!).

For more information, visit us at http://ShynessSecrets.com

SaRita Hartin runs ShynessSecrets.com, a site dedicated to helping shy people live happier, more fulfilled lives. She can be reached at info@ShynessSecrets.com.


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