The idea of owning your own business is part of the American dream and appeals to most people because it provides them with independence and control over their destiny; being the boss has a certain allure to it. According to statistics provided by the U.S. Small Business Administration, “there are approximately 25 million small businesses in (this) country.” This accounts for a large number of jobs in our economy, and without small business, which accounts for nearly one half of our country’s employment, we would lose a huge portion of our trade and industry (NASE, 2003, Small Business as the Engine of Economic Growth, 1 and 2). Little do we know, when starting out, that we do not become owners of a business…the busines

As a business owner you must also be ready for the responsibility that goes with the title. Everything from taking care of the marketing, doing the books, hiring and firing, training employees, purchasing materials, inventory, and equipment, taking care of customers, and even cleaning the bathrooms becomes your job; basically the buck stops with you.

The only way to know if you can make it as a business owner is to give it a try. As I mentioned previously, I had never worked in a restaurant before and had no foodservice experience whatsoever, unless you count Burger King and a pizza joint. Food service is a hard industry in which to make a living, as are most retail type businesses. I cannot stress enough how important research is regarding the start-up of your business as well as the continuation of it.

You would check into the competition in the area you were considering, do some research including statistics regarding the restaurant businesses in your area, as well as get information on suppliers, menus, printing, and advertising, just to name a few. The SBA web site (http://www.onlinewbc.gov/docs/starting/) contains a wealth of information on all areas of starting your own business.

Some topics in this essay:
Burger King, Business Administration, Business Center”, Ethnic Seafood, , Economic Growth, Entrepreneurism Business, Retrieved November, FORTUNE June, Chamber Commerce, taking care, coffee shop, business owner, food service, web site, existing business, retrieved november 16, business engine, mainstreaming entrepreneurism, entrepreneurism business, mainstreaming entrepreneurism business, information local, business engine economic, november 16 2003, engine economic growth,