Dreaming of Doing Big Business

Are You Dreaming of Doing "Big" Business?
Are you dreaming of doing "Big" business, or are you having illusions of grandeur? This question can be askedbyus or by our fast-talking, fast-thinking children,who just do not seem to "fit in" with their friends’ more simple, or we can say,"realistic" dreams, about what can be accomplished in a lifetime.
What causes these thoughts andunrealized dreams that can and will lead us down some very frustrating roads? Maybe, the information-filled hi-tech world of data exchange is giving all of us ideas that were never before available to us.
In reality, no matter how we have become who and what we are, the fact is that we are stuck with these ideas, and the only way to get any rest from the anxieties,which they can create, is to be on our way to fulfilling these dreams at some level.
However, the clock is ticking, and our friends and families are having a hard time listening to yet another unfulfilled story of just what we are going to do next. So, the anxieties grow.Where do you turn?
The answer to these questions cannot be found in some anti-anxiety medication, although many would have you believe they can. To add salt to the wound, history is telling us about the unfair advantage the second- and third-generation businesses and entrepreneurial families have over us with their stockpiles of wisdom and war chests of funding.
These days, the answer to solving some of these challenges for the "dreamers" is to bridge their weakness by banding together with others in their same situation. We have watched many start-upcompaniesdivide ownership among the group, in order to equitably satisfy everyone.
We have seen this successfully done, time and time again, to the point that networks are starting to be created by talented consultants,which assist people in finding others with whom to set-up shop, and some networks are consulting and funding the groups for a percentage of the businesses, creating a win-win scenario for everyone involved.
Some mutual funds, hedge funds, and REITs have used this approach for years, and you may have heard about major corporations being purchased directly by investment groups. What about the "little guy." From what resources can he draw talent and funding?
Many middle-aged and younger entrepreneurs are being affordedopportunities to make things happen, which theypreviously only dreamed possible. Some of the success stories we have interviewed stated that before receiving help from one of these networks that they were about to give up on their dreams.
Understandably so, as it is easy to note the unfair advantage held by legacies. Capturing market share from a company that is more than one hundred years ahead of you to the market place, when you are all alone, is quite difficult. On top of that, these giant international behemoths are getting the first-round draft picks from the top universities to add to their talent pool.
All of these facts together: The legacies, competitive advantage, established markets, and deep pockets, can make even the best idea seem unachievable. Even if you have a great idea, without the funding and a strong management team, how would you ever get started?
The media love an underdog who makes it, but with the odds stacked against them, very few aspiring entrepreneurs ever get their businesses launched, let alone turn into a break-out success.
Not everyone is an Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates, or Mark Zuckerberg. Oprah used her celebrity status to become one of the most popular talk show hostesses in history. Gates, along with others, formed Microsoft. Mark got together with some of his college buddies from Harvard, and developed the popular social networking site Facebook.
Oprah faced a lot of talk show competition when her show first aired, Gates and company took on IBM, and Zuckerberg took on Yahoo!
However, none of these people acted alone to achieve their dreams. They had their own networks of people who could help manage and direct their endeavor, and they found access to financing.
What about the new entrepreneur, lonely, and without a wealth of contacts? How does he or she compete?
Well, normally, they don’t. Their dream remains only a dream.
Over the past two decades, one popular commercial real estate niche has been to develop business incubator sites. These are nothing more than buildings that have established small office or light industrial spaces for new companies to get started without having to pay exorbitant space rents. However, these "incubators" do little more than provide a temporary home for your business idea.
Something very important is still missing. Where is the help?
More and more incubation networks are now opening around the world, which provide much more than a place to operate. They provide training, counsel, management team members and directors, and best of all, access to funding! These networks are the new wave in business development, and they are having a tremendous impact!
The US Small Business Administration tells us that over 90% of small businesses fail within the first two to five years. While we can argue the merits and accuracy of this percentage, the fact is that the vast majority of new businesses do not survive. Most of them fail due to a lack of business experience and/or a lack of capital.
These new networks have the resources to counter these statistics by providing leadership and funding to entrepreneurs.
Do you have a great idea, but need help or funding? Find the right network, and join it!