A Better Way

 by JenniferWhite, President, The JWC Group

Broadcast of 4/7/99

Subject: Being An Entrepreneur Can Be Lonely

A BETTER WAY
A nationally syndicated column
by Jennifer White
jencoach@successu.comBeing an entrepreneur can be lonely. I know, I'm a business owner myself. And many of my entrepreneurial clients tell me the same thing.

When we first started our businesses, we never knew we'd ever feel isolated. Never. We were just fired up about being the boss, about starting something we could call our own, about finally having the independence to do what we wanted to do when we wanted to do it. We forgot that being at the top – no matter how big or small your company – often means you're alone at the top.

Don't get me wrong. Most entrepreneurs want to be king of the hill. That's what being an entrepreneur is all about. But there are just some days when you'd like some other people up there on the hill with you. (Go on, admit it.)

The isolation can get even worse if you work out of your home. Starting a home-based business sounded like a good idea when you first did it. You got lulled into believing you want to wear your pajamas until noon, work 16 hours a day and have the freedom to take a walk in the middle of the afternoon just because you feel like it. Technology allows you to set up a virtual business where the only contact you have with the outside world is through phone, fax and email.

The problem with working out of your home is you're typically alone all day long. At least if you're the king of the hill with employees around you, you're able to connect with other human beings throughout the day. When you're at home, you're often alone. (And your cat doesn't count!)

Many people make the mistake of only looking at the benefits of working out of their homes. They can't understand why they aren't disciplined, aren't focused and feel a bit empty. They didn't take the time to make sure their personality fit a home business.

If you're feeling out of sorts because you're working out of your home – or you're thinking about starting a home-based business – make sure you redesign your life to get your need for human contact met. Here are some ideas on how to do that:

1. Get an office.
There are certain types of people who do wonderfully in a home office, and there are others who don't. If you need more human connection, you can find affordable office space that won't break the bank.

Jim Cohen from CMC Properties, a Cincinnati-based company that owns office parks designed especially for small businesses, said something that made me laugh. "It's not uncommon," he said, "for people to come to us because they gained 20 pounds. Having the kitchen so close to your office may not be the best thing."

Cohen has locations all over Cincinnati in Blue Ash, Springdale, Anderson and Northern Kentucky. Two more locations are sprouting up in West Chester and Mason in late 1999 and another in Dayton in 2000. Cohen describes his office parks as "dormitories for entrepreneurs."

If you have office space at one of Cohen's locations, you are surrounded with people who are just like you. The place is full of freedom-loving business owners. You'll find folks to collaborate with. Someone to borrow mailing labels when you run out, and someone to invite out to lunch – by just walking across the hall. And Cohen tells me space starts at $175 per month (www.cincyapt.com).

There's also something about having to getting into your car to drive somewhere that gets the productivity gear moving in many people.

2. Get out of the house.
For those of you who love your home office, it's time for you to get out of the house. Resist the urge to schedule a conference call and meet with customers at their locations. Develop a routine where you drive to a coffee shop to read the morning paper rather than hang out in your kitchen alone. Shower and go out before noon. Human contact is vital for your success, and you must create more opportunities to connect with others. You can't sit around waiting for the phone to ring. It won't.

The key to kicking entrepreneurial isolation is to be clear about what you need in your life. Then go out and do it. I know you will.

Copyright 1999, Jennifer White. All rights reserved. Please do not duplicate this information without written permission.

This column is available for syndication. If you want to use this material in your publication, please contact The JWC Group at sales@successu.com. Email us for details.