For me, I can honestly say that starting a business has changed my life. I would never have imagined when I was fourteen years old, in my Gran’s tiny kitchen in Scotland, that what would start as a tiny enterprise selling jars of homemade jam to the neighbors would grow into what it has. I wouldn’t have imagined that SuperJam would go on to sell millions of jars around the world in thousands of stores.
I think that anyone can start a business, that anyone can turn their hobby into their career or make a living from something they love. I know that a lot of people feel dread on Sunday evenings, thinking about going to work in a job they hate on Monday morning. It doesn’t have to be like that.
Don’t be afraid
For all kinds of reasons, most people are afraid of following their dreams in life. They fear that people will laugh at them, that things won’t work out or, worse, that they’ll end up bankrupt.
In fact, I don’t think there’s a lot to be afraid of when you take the plunge and start your own business. Sure, there’s no guarantee that your business will be a success but, so long as you don’t take a massive risk on your idea, you ought not to stand to lose an awful lot. And, one thing is guaranteed; you’ll definitely have some fun, learn a few things and meet some interesting new people along the way!
My best advice to anyone who dreams of starting a business is to start small. Set something up in the evenings and weekends; experiment with your ideas and test the water. It is possible to get your ideas off the ground without having to invest a huge amount of time and money into them. Don’t jump in at the deep end by quitting your job and remortgaging your house on day one.
Follow your dreams
A lot of the time, people imagine that starting your own business is all about wanting to get rich. It’s true that if your business ends up becoming a huge success, it could well make you a millionaire. But, I think the most rewarding thing that starting your own businesses offers is the opportunity to be free; to do what feels right to you in your gut.
There is nothing more amazing than the feeling of getting up in the morning and doing what you feel you were born to do. Doing work that you enjoy, that you’re passionate about and that you find fun is massively rewarding in itself.
What I find really inspiring is that anyone can come up with an idea – in your kitchen, your bedroom, your garage or even your garden shed. With a bit of love, imagination and hard work, it can change your life.
SuperJam has certainly changed mine.
