Help: Frustrated-confused-tired

**Cognition** · 12-28-2006 01:25 PM

Guy and gals, I need some help.

Right now I feel so frustrated in trying to launch this business of mine. I don't know whether to acquire business partners or operate solely on my own, I'm so frustrated on how I am going to properly brand this venture - I am just so "clogged" mentally with this...

Maybe I should just go out and get a job and be content like all those "others".

**Envydia** · 12-28-2006 01:31 PM

Hang in there I am in the same current state of mind with my plan in mind but I''m not gonna give up, I always think of others that are big if they would have given up, and it keeps me going.

**akula** · 12-28-2006 07:07 PM

Originally Posted by TheCDAllenGroup

Guy and gals, I need some help.

Right now I feel so frustrated in trying to launch this business of mine. I don't know whether to acquire business partners or operate solely on my own, I'm so frustrated on how I am going to properly brand this venture - I am just so "clogged" mentally with this...

Maybe I should just go out and get a job and be content like all those "others".

Sure, I feel what you're saying.

Not to sound condescending, but what you're going through is totally natural and expected. It's the first time you're trying your hand at a new trade (foundership), you don't have a teacher so the resulting frustration is nothing uncommon, and it's totally solvable.

here's a solution to your problem...

essentially, in their role as founders, entrepreneurs are market researchers. that's their economic function. they provide signals to the rest of the economy on what might and might not sell in the future. it's a very important job. in doing this job of signaling the rest of the economy, entrepreneurs enjoy an inventory of lots of alternative products/services, and they spend their time going out and looking for customers who want to buy these product and services. unfortunately, for 90% of the products in this "ideas inventory", entrepreneurs will typically get turned down, which is ok if the founder has a large inventory (i.e. they can move onto something different).

to feel unclogged: have a wide range of alternatives (not just internet radio), and spend the majority of your time meeting prospects and selling your proposals. when people are "sold" and they are ready to pay you money, this does wonders to focusing the mind, and prioritizing schedules.

p.s. really, for your own well being, try not to deride traditional careers. you should always try to be content, and stop this psychological addiction that you have to making your self feel bad.

doing entrepreneurship because of dislike for traditional careers, is not a rational, or a productive attitude. there's nothing wonderful about entrepreneurship. doing startups isn't gonna make you wealthier or happier. foundership is essentially an act of compulsion by really sick people. there's nothing magical about it, and if you can avoid it - so much for the better.

**Cognition** · 12-28-2006 07:41 PM

^Thank you Akula for those words of wisdom. I appreciate it.

Please know that I have not decided to take the entrepreneurship route in life just because I've experienced the ups and downs of the corporate Ameerica - I truly am thankful for all the lessons I learned while in that setting. But being an entrepreneur is (to me) a calling - so my venting above is actually the result of being highly focused on the intimate details of this venture I'm starting.

Perhaps I should join a gym or something to handle my stress better.

**akula** · 12-28-2006 07:56 PM

perhaps we should all join a gym

**journeyoftheanimala** · 12-28-2006 10:28 PM

Keep your head up. I have just gotten started in this online thing and I have felt overwhelmed and like I want to quit. But keep you head up and keep going. I am sure you will be happy that you did.

**SSM** · 12-28-2006 10:53 PM

You think it's easy starting a business? If everyone gave up when it got hard...we wouldnt have light bulbs, computers, cars....

Keep on going with it. Even if everything fails you have the best learning experience ever. It's not the end of your business if you brand imporperly. It is the end of your business if you quit trying.

**Cognition** · 12-28-2006 11:37 PM

^Thanks guys for the encouragement - it's good to know that there's people who have gone and are presently experiencing those bitter-sweet moments of entrepreneurship.

**mnt11592** · 12-29-2006 02:02 AM

I wish you the best of luck with your business.

**EntrePR** · 12-29-2006 03:26 AM

The partnership question is always a tough one. It can be very difficult to let go of control of the company, even when it is painfully obvious that the chances of success greatly improve if you do.

Also, not every opportunity is well suited for partnerships. What I have done in recent years is to mentally take myself out of the company and take an objective look at what really goes into running the business. Find the key roles, whether in sales, accounting, management, etc... If you are not an expert in each role, or the role could be cost effectively outsourced, the partnership/outsourcing is a good possibility. Also, try to take a detailed look at many different types of businesses. For each one, try to get a solid mental picture of the team it would take to run the business effectively. Once you do this enough times, developing plans for strategic partnerships becomes second nature.

Finally, if this your first founding venture, treat it as a learning experience. Rather that getting depressed when setbacks occur, pat yourself on the back. You're learning much more then you ever would in a 9 to 5. Also, no matter how it might seem, this will not be the only business you will ever start. Statistically, you will not hit the big one for 3 or 4 more ventures. That doesn't mean you will fail, you just need to look at the big picture. Treat each business as if it were something you can learn from and create enough value to put you ahead of the game going into the next venture.

And finally, cheer the f*ck up. It's only life. (I wish someone had said that to me last time I was in your shoes)

**akula** · 12-29-2006 10:21 AM

Originally Posted by EntrePR

The partnership question is always a tough one. It can be very difficult to let go of control of the company, even when it is painfully obvious that the chances of success greatly improve if you do.

Also, not every opportunity is well suited for partnerships. What I have done in recent years is to mentally take myself out of the company and take an objective look at what really goes into running the business. Find the key roles, whether in sales, accounting, management, etc... If you are not an expert in each role, or the role could be cost effectively outsourced, the partnership/outsourcing is a good possibility. Also, try to take a detailed look at many different types of businesses. For each one, try to get a solid mental picture of the team it would take to run the business effectively. Once you do this enough times, developing plans for strategic partnerships becomes second nature.

Finally, if this your first founding venture, treat it as a learning experience. Rather that getting depressed when setbacks occur, pat yourself on the back. You're learning much more then you ever would in a 9 to 5. Also, no matter how it might seem, this will not be the only business you will ever start. Statistically, you will not hit the big one for 3 or 4 more ventures. That doesn't mean you will fail, you just need to look at the big picture. Treat each business as if it were something you can learn from and create enough value to put you ahead of the game going into the next venture.

And finally, cheer the f*ck up. It's only life. (I wish someone had said that to me last time I was in your shoes)

awesome comment

hell, it's a McKinsey'e killer :-)