I love the title of this new book by Tara Truax because so many aspiring entrepreneurs have probably felt that way one time or another.

Who the Hell Am I to Start a Business could refer to the fear first time entrepreneurs feel.  Perhaps someone has a great idea but is not sure they can make it a reality.  Someone else may be ready to branch off on their own but is terrified to take the first step.  There is a lot of fear attached to starting a new business.  There are the personal doubts of our own abilities.  There is the fear of losing that regular paycheck and relying on our own abilities and the gifts of the marketplace to provide us with income.  There is fear of the unknown. The phrase “who the hell am I to start a business” comes up again as the entrepreneur gets underway and realizes how much there is to be done and how much knowledge they may be missing in certain areas.  Very few businesses start out with a full professional staff.  Most times the entrepreneur is left wearing the hat of sales, marketing, product development, customer service, accounting, legal, human resources, and every other role necessary to keep the company alive.  This is when the phrase changes in meaning to, “what was I thinking?”

Yet there are entrepreneurs starting new businesses every day.  Whether the business is bringing a new product to life, sharing one’s expertise through providing a service, or becoming a franchisee each and every day, there are individuals ready to say, “Yes, I am ready to start a business.”  It is exhilarating and terrifying.  It is freeing and overwhelming.  It is rewarding and exhausting.  And for many there is no other option.  Starting that new business is what their heart and soul is driving them toward. I am proud to call myself a serial entrepreneur.  It is not for everyone, but for those who catch the bug, there is no other way.  Listen below to explore starting your own business with author and business coach Tara Truax. If you have been thinking of starting a business or have just put your toe in the water, this will be a wonderful way to learn the ins and outs of owning your own business. 

After the loss of his unborn child, John Bader himself was lost.  As he writes in his book, The Responsive Universe: "Like the wind causing chaos on the ocean before my eyes, my mind was in an uncontrollable tailspin.  Just days ago, I had witnessed my wife give birth to my lifeless son.  A small strand of amniotic flesh had wrapped around his umbilical cord and had suffocated him to death.  The doctors told us the chances that amniotic band syndrome could affect a healthy unborn baby was one in thirty thousand.  I was in shock.  All that I had dreamed of – holding my little boy in my arms, playing baseball, and watching him grow into a man and a father of his own – had been dashed away.  Like autumn leaves falling from a dormant tree, I watched the winds of change whip my happiness away, bringing a cold, heartless winter down on me.  As I held his lifeless body in my arms, I felt sad for myself and a deeper sadness for my wife.  Minutes after the still birth, the doctor allowed us time with our son.  Annamarie watch me with puffy red eyes as I looked into my son’s lifeless face.  As she watched me say goodbye, I could not imagine what she was going through; to have carried this baby for six and a half months and have to say goodbye on his birthday?  It was all inconceivable.  Would I wake up from this bad dream?  We were good people.  How could this happen to us?"

This heart wrenching tragedy was not the end of John’s joy.  It actually became the impetus of his reawakening.  The depths of depression and despair became the catalyst for his search for answers which ultimately led to his awakening.  For the next few years, John spent his time studying the major religions in search of answers, understanding, and peace.  Through his search he found not only the answers he was looking for, but daily practices to aid him through the ups and downs of life.  Now he not only uses these tools for his own happiness, but also teaches others how to find peace in the most difficult situations.

Learn more about John Bader’s journey and how he found solace in the practices of Buddhism.  Learn how the Nine Mandala’s hold tactical daily practices you can use to uncover your own power, resiliency,and joy.

Is there something you are afraid of?

Is there something you are afraid to face?

Dale Spencer had to face his fears, in order to recreate his life. Dale was leading the life of an average college student when at the age of 20 an unforeseen injury changed his life forever. Left paralyzed, Dale had to adapt to new ways of doing everyday tasks, getting around, interacting with people, finishing college and entering the workforce. He shares of he needed to come to terms with his dependence on others and how his injury changed the path of his life.

By using simple techniques to keep his fear in check and his mind focused, Dales has been able to achieve his life goals. Dale has triumphed over adversity and risen to the top of his profession, he continues to give back to his community, grow and take on new challenges. There are four key areas where the emotion of fear dwells: professional, social, mental and physical. Dale has identified the necessary building blocks to overcome fear and achieve success, regardless of what form fear takes.

Now Dale’s mission is to help all of us realize we have the necessary tools to achieve success, regardless of our circumstances. Dale now speaks for the ThinkFirst Injury Prevention and how he found a new purpose in educating others in critical thinking and problem solving. Learn more about Dale.