The Profit Puzzle

Sam & Judy Discuss Small Business Lifestyle

During their seven years of marriage, Sam and Judy became a good team. They both grew up in active, involved homes. Sam liked to work alone without the help of others. Judy was more outgoing and preferred to be part of a small group.

Both parents lived nearby. They often got together for family activities and also on holidays. Sam's father was about to retire and expressed an interest in doing something to keep busy and add to his retirement income.

Sam and Judy weren't interested in becoming "rich and famous". They did want to do a good job of providing for their family, being in control of their lives and creating some options.

How Did Sam & Judy's Complete These Action Steps?

1. Tell yourself what you want.

2. Set goals for each area of your life.

3. Use the time you have wisely.

Sam and Judy Set Small Business Objectives

As a computer programmer for a large corporation, Sam was only responsible for completing his portion of a project. He did not have any management responsibility or experience.

Judy's job in customer service only required quick, short responses; no management. As a Mom with two small kids, she knew how to handle unexpected events and demands.

Their casual discussions about starting and running a small business centered on how much fun it might be and what they could gain from it. So far, the only thing they'd written down was their individual business achievement statement. They were both concerned about their lack of management experience.

How Did Sam & Judy's Complete These Action Steps?

1. Answer the question "What business am I in?".

2. Create goals and set deadlines.

3. Write a business overview statement.

Sam & Judy Consider Starting a Small Business

Sam had always been interested in starting some kind of small business. During the summer he had given serious thought to the idea. He loved working with his hands and spent hours putting together very intricate jigsaw puzzles.

Judy was more of a people person. Now that both kids were in school, she was interested in working part-time, using her experience as a customer service representative.

Neither of them were risk takers. Their summer conversations centered on starting a business they could do together that could also involve their parents and kids. They were excited about the idea, but worried about their ability to succeed.

Sam & Judy's Actions Steps Online in The Profit Puzzle

1. List and prioritize what you are good at or like to do.

2. Write and individual achievement statement.

3. Set a specific time to update your list and statement.

Sam & Judy Start a Business - How About You?

According to a survey by Yahoo! Small Business and Harris Interactive, 66 percent of American adults say they've considered starting a business. Maybe your situation is similar to Sam’s or Judy’s.

You’d like to start some sort of small business, probably home based at first. You’re not a huge risk taker but with the proper knowledge, step by step guidance and support you’d get started on developing a simple business plan to test out your start up idea before taking a full time leap into small business ownership.

Your motivation to start up a small business of your own maybe grounded in creating more time and money to spend with family and pursing those things which you value most in your life. In your mind, successful small business ownership offers those types of rewards.

An investment in your personal copy of The Profit Puzzle, one you can mark up and make notes on and learn from the mistakes and rewards of Sam & Judy’s story, is a smart place to start.