This morning the TV was on and there was a story about unemployment and underemployment. They had a guy on there who had lost his job for a large insurance company, had done odd jobs while not being able to find a job in his field and he opened a popsicle stand (of sorts).  His business is King of Pops and his brother who is an attorney, has now quit his job and joined the King of Pops business.  I keep telling Chad to come up with a business idea and do something on his own and not be shackled to an employer, most of whom could care less about the individuals who work for them.  I think of the stories of how Amazon began and Mrs. Fields’ Cookies,  Eleanor Burns’ Quilt in a Day.  There are so many success stories out there, and I’m sure there are quite a few failure stories too.  Often before a successful business, there have been several unsuccessful attempts but when they get it right, it’s so nice!

Even in the areas I love – quilting and knitting – I think of The Loopy Ewe and Fat Quarter Shop.  I don’t personally know Sheri from The Loopy Ewe or Kimberly from Fat Quarter Shop but I doubt either of those girls expected their businesses to be so wildly successful when they started with a small online shop.  There are many online quilt and yarn shops so why did these two rise to the top?  I think it’s their wonderful service and the large stock they keep on  hand.

Maybe it’s the old fashioned girl in me but I still feel the biggest part of the American Dream is to be able to start your own business and grow it as large as you’d like it to grow — work as hard as you want to work and make as much money as you want to make.

I understand the drawbacks.  If you already have a job that you have to leave before starting a business, that probably means giving up a lot of security – a steady paycheck, health insurance, maybe a pension plan or matching 401K contributions.  There’s a lot to give up and for many, it’s just not worth the risk.  But for those who are unemployed, some of them have to be dreaming of starting their own business.

Who would have thought selling gourmet popsicles on street corners would be a great business?  Who knows where that business might go — selling wholesale to restaurants or grocery stores?  Franchises?

In so many areas of our lives, I think sometimes we miss opportunities because we’re too cautious and sometimes, it’s only when there’s nothing left to lose that we take those steps that open doors we could only have dreamed of opening.

Here’s my questions for you — Have you ever thought of starting your own business?  If so, and if you’re comfortable sharing your ideas, please tell us about it.  If you have a really unique idea and something you wouldn’t want copied, please do not share that here.