The Brutalism of Entrepreneurship

One would ask what does Brutalism have to do with Entrepreneurship?  Well, its definition according to the Dictionary of Architecture & Construction, Second Edition is as follows:  Movement in modern architecture, emphasizing stark forms and raw surfaces, particularly of concrete.  Emphasize stark, raw, concrete, all metaphors that likely any Entrepreneur could conjure up with their experience.

 Building your own business, particularly if you have never done this before, can feel like you are surrounded by a massive concrete boulder with no ability to see beyond it.  It takes the spirit within that brought you to this point to find your way around the concrete obstruction.  An ex colleague recently commented “Entrepreneurs are the true heroes, they have to address every single aspect of a business from lights not working to selling a product or service, they are the engine that runs the economy, I am privileged to participate in what they create.”  Truly, no wiser words have been said to describe the importance and the contribution of the entrepreneurs in this country. 

 Illuminate is the second such entity I have created.  Years ago, I created a new concept with a friend and business partner that involved indoor pools for recreational dog swimming.  While I was able to use some of the intellect garnered from that experience, I did have a business partner to split all the tasks with, this time it was just me.  While I am always up for a challenge, I forgot how much a new business owner has to contend with, sometimes I felt like I was in a circus and my job was to juggle all the balls in the air and hope that none fell to the ground!  But, surely, if they did, my ball obsessed Barbet (French Water Dog) would have been there to grab it and toss it back at me for an endless game of fetch! 😊

Here are some of the concepts a new business owner needs to grapple with: 

·       What will your business be named, is the name available to incorporate in the state you are located in and is it free of Trademarks? 

·       Insurance, what type – General Liability, Errors & Omissions, Professional.

·       Where will you locate your business – make sure you understand terms such as Triple Net Leases, CAM, personal recourse or guaranty.

·       Do you have the appropriate attorney, accountant, realtor to guide you on the desired path?

·       What office furniture or equipment do you need? Be prepared to spend days, not hours, on this task.  Unless you have hired a facilities coordinator or architect to design your space, it will all fall on you.  Color, price point, how many drawers, how many cabinets, what color paint in the office, window treatments, etc.  It really never ends.

·       What about benefits and most importantly, health insurance? This can be the subject of a full year MBA project!

These are but a few of the many administrative tasks a new business owner has to embrace, understand, and execute.  You can go it alone as I did, but I have the benefit of having done this before and of having spent over 20 years assisting entrepreneurs in achieving their goals and dreams.  You can reach out to the US SBA (Small Business Administration) SBDC (Small Business Development Center) in your area or you can seek the assistant of a Business Consultant to help guide you on your path. 

For brand new start-ups where you have no experience, the SBDC is truly your best path. They will assist you with writing a business plan and provide counseling on your new venture.  If you are an experienced professional who is seeking to start your own practice after working years for someone else, reach out to a Business Consulting firm.  They can likely fast track all of this for you, while you minimize the time between your associate position and your ownership position, lessening the timeframe you are away from clients, patients, or customers. 

In the end, you have choices.  Climb that concrete behemoth alone, make sure you have the means to scale it or the ability to fly above it.  Or reach out for help and watch the concrete crumble and you will see your dream, your own company, on the other side.  Walk hand in hand with your business consultants and know they are there to support you as you become part of the engine that fuels our economy. 

Oh, and do not forget to congratulate yourself!  Not everyone has the DNA makeup to risk the expected for the unexpected.  Ask yourself are you a driver or a passenger in this journey?  Your answer to this question will likely drive your next step!