Career Keys: Business Startup 101 Series

2009-02-21T23:13:00.000-08:00

Some of us entrepreneurs are always looking for business opportunities to supplement our incoming revenue. And during these economically tough times, some of us are considering entrepreneurship for the first time.

If you are seriously thinking about earning some extra income by starting a small business, first start with prayer. It is always wise to ask the Father if starting a business is His plan for you. Philippians 4:6 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Ezra 8:23 says, “So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.” Before you make any final decisions about starting a business, first spend lots of time praying and fasting to see what God will have you to do.

When you get confirmation from the Lord, examine your heart for the real purpose of starting your business. Starting and managing a business takes motivation, desire, talent, research and planning. The purpose of any business that's operated by a Christian should be to glorify God, not just to make a profit. If you're more concerned with pursuing riches than serving God, you cease to be useful to God. "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth"(Matthew 6:24).

You may have the motivation and desire, but is Entrepreneurship really for you?
In business, there are no guarantees. There is simply no way to eliminate all the risks associated with starting a small business - but you can improve your chances of success with good planning, preparation, and insight. “The wise are cautious and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence”, Proverbs 14:16 (NLT).

Start by evaluating your strengths and weaknesses as a potential owner and manager of a small business. Carefully consider each of the following questions:

Are you a self-starter? It will be entirely up to you to develop projects, organize your time, and follow through on details.
How well do you get along with different personalities? Business owners need to develop working relationships with a variety of people including customers, vendors, staff, bankers, and professionals such as lawyers, accountants, or consultants. Can you deal with a demanding client, an unreliable vendor, or a cranky receptionist if your business interests demand it?
How good are you at making decisions? Small business owners are required to make decisions constantly - often quickly, independently, and under pressure.
Do you have the physical and emotional stamina to run a business? Business ownership can be exciting, but it's also a lot of work. Can you face six or seven 12-hour workdays every week?
How well do you plan and organize? Research indicates that poor planning is responsible for most business failures. Good organization of financials, inventory, schedules, and production can help you avoid many pitfalls.
Is your drive strong enough? Running a business can wear you down emotionally. Some business owners burn out quickly from having to carry all the responsibility for the success of their business on their own shoulders. Strong motivation will help you survive slowdowns and periods of burnout.
How will the business affect your family? The first few years of business startup can be hard on family life. It's important for family members to know what to expect and for you to be able to trust that they will support you during this time. There also may be financial difficulties until the business becomes profitable, which could take months or years. You may have to adjust to a lower standard of living or put family assets at risk in the short-term.

Your Homework:

Seek the Lord’s guidance
Get started by listing your reasons for wanting to go into business.
List your strengths and weaknesses.

What’s next:
For the next three months or so, CLASSE ladies will begin a series on small business startup and management.

Click here to get the next lesson delivered directly to your email.

Resume Writing Tips: Resumes — How To Say It All

2008-09-27T22:51:00.000-07:00

With so many things to say in a résumé, how do you make it easy to read? Your structure may depend on what stage you are at in your career (looking for your first job, career change, etc.).

Regardless of your status, we suggest dividing the résumé into sections.

Here are some key sections to include:

Name and Contact Info - Introduce yourself with your name in bold and your address, email, phone number, and/or fax number

Objective - briefly describe what you hope to achieve in your new job

Statement of Faith - primarily for ministry positions

Skills - list your skills that are pertinent to the position for which you are applying

Work Experience - list at least your last three positions and outline your main responsibilities for each one

Education History - Give information on schools, dates you attended, what you studied, and if you received any degree/diploma

Visit www.livingstonesinc.org/resumetips.html for more resume guidelines.

Share your resume-writing tips

Career Keys Corner

Career Keys: Business Startup 101 Series

Resume Writing Tips: Resumes — How To Say It All