The Ready Entrepreneur Podcast

Aspiring entrepreneurs often have a dream of working on their own that underestimates the amount of work necessary to be successful.  Being your own boss frees your schedule and instructions, but not the effort and diligence required to make sure your business is operating as you expect.  This episode reminds wantrepreneurs that the lifestyle dream is possible only after the work is done.  While the dream of buying the big house and relaxing by the pool is viable, nothing will happen without a commitment to complete the tasks necessary to start the business.  The commitment begins and ends with establishing goals and working towards completing them.

Are you worried that the loud, aggressive, extroverted entrepreneurs you have seen are the correct personality type for the business world?  And you, who may be shy, introverted, methodical, and detailed-oriented, do not have what it takes to make it in the entrepreneurial world?  This episode focuses on the real skill for an entrepreneur - the ability to do the work - and explains why having the 'rah, rah' personality is not the defining characteristic you need to run your own business.  A person with a business idea who is willing and able to bring that idea to the consumer marketplace, and deliver value will have an opportunity to make the business viable.  But you have to get started and take action.

What do you need to do to make yourself - ready - to be an entrepreneur?  In this milestone 50th episode, Case Lane discusses how to understand your value as an entrepreneur in the global marketplace, prepare yourself to persevere through difficult times, and study and learn from successful entrepreneurs.  These activities can help you prepare to run your own business, be your own boss, and achieve the lifestyle freedom you want.  For aspiring entrepreneurs, this is a motivational message about developing your entrepreneurial mindset.

When it comes to being successful, why do some people know what to do and others struggle for no results?  The difference is information.  Some people know they need information, and if they don't have anyone to give it to them, they go out and find it.  In this episode of the Ready Entrepreneur podcast, Case Lane discusses how to make yourself a privileged aspiring entrepreneur by becoming better informed.  Learn how to go to the information; gather or discover information; and build on the knowledge you receive.  This is a privilege you control through your own effort and interest.  And it's one that is crucial to your ultimate success.

Aspiring entrepreneurs debating whether or not to spend thousands of dollars on an online course that promises an overnight solution to business success, check out this episode of the Ready Entrepreneur Podcast.  Case Lane provides valuable tips on how to assess the course, uncover "all" the work behind the marketed process, give feedback to course creators, and track the literal and intangible value of the course.  Aspiring entrepreneurs use many tools like books, videos, podcasts and courses.  But results differ widely.  Listen to these tips to avoid common mistakes, and to feel better about the money you spent on the latest 'sure thing' course offer.

Why is there a disconnect between the global initiatives in support of entrepreneurship, and the ground-level quests of aspiring entrepreneurs who are trying to get started?  In this episode, Case Lane dissects the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development's (UNCTAD) policy framework for entrepreneurship, and reveals how this global multilateral organization supports rising entrepreneurs.  This episode provides support, encouragement and specific ideas for aspiring entrepreneurs to counter negative feedback and discouragement from their close circle and the community.

Aspiring entrepreneurs wonder if obtaining an MBA or another form of formal business education is important to running a business.  In this episode, Case Lane provides the short and long answer to that question.  At first, B-school is not the ticket to entrepreneurship, but eventually entrepreneurs want to have a working knowledge of core MBA topics like accounting, finance and marketing.  Why is the knowledge important?  And how should an entrepreneur balance this timeline disconnect?  If business school-type knowledge is necessary, is it worthwhile to get it at a business school?  

Just when you thought a tropical vacation would be warm sand and colorful drinks, Case Lane takes you on a journey of entrepreneurial discovery.  This episode focuses on how the entrepreneurs, employers and employees on the island of Ambergris Caye in Belize inadvertently provided five useful lessons that aspiring entrepreneurs can apply to their own business.  Case Lane explains how the local approach to customer service and work left a lasting impression that can be adapted to your own plans for the delivery of your product or service.  

How do you overcome money and failure fears when you are thinking about quitting your job to become a full-time entrepreneur?  In this episode of the podcast, Case Lane discusses strategies for preparing to quit that can help alleviate some of the biggest fears.  The approach includes ideas from earning more money and downsizing, to incrementally starting your business to test your idea before going all-in.  This episode advocates a systematic and tactical plan for getting yourself ready before making the big decision.

If you are thinking about leaving your 9-to-5 to work full-time in your own business, you will enjoy this interview with creator Susie Sahim, the founder of Paper Demon.  In this extended interview episode of the Ready Entrepreneur Podcast, Case Lane speaks to Susie Sahim about building a business, making the transition to being a full-time entrepreneur, facing challenges, overcoming fear, building and sustaining an audience, and so much more.  You'll get tips, strategies, ideas, and most of all, inspiration from one of the rising entrepreneurs who has done what so many of you are dreaming of doing - full-time entrepreneurship.