In my last post, How to Start a Business with Little or No Money, I told you about an inspiring book by Cameron Johnson called You Call The Shots.

I devoured the book in just one sitting and was inspired by the simple business and life wisdom that can only be shared by someone who became a millionaire by the time he graduated from high school and who, by age 21 (when he wrote the book in 2007), had already started 12 successful businesses.

In You Call the Shots, Johnson shares how to “Succeed your way – and live the life you want – with the 19 essential secrets of entrepreneurship.”

Here are 7 Simple Tips on How to Start a Small Business that I gleaned from You Call the Shots:

1. Put yourself out there – If you’ve dreamed of starting your own business, you have to believe in yourself (and in the product or service you’re selling), put yourself out there, and boldly take that first step. With the advent of the Internet, it’s never been easier to start your own business, either full or part-time.
2. Start small – Many dream of starting a business but don’t do it because they think they have to start big or spend a lot of money.  The good news is that you really don’t have to!  Start small and do what you know and are passionate about, with the tools you have readily available or can easily/cheaply get.  Johnson suggests,“Think of the ideas that will require the least cash investment up front and the least in advertising money, especially for your first venture.” [Read more...]