Is this for me?

Do I have the right personality to run my own business?

While anyone running their own business must have some skills or knowledge of the market in which they plan to work, there are a number of personality traits that will make it easier for you to succeed. These 'softer' skills include:

• The ability to handle pressure - you will have to rely on your own abilities and motivation in meeting deadlines and making decisions.
• Perseverance - starting a business demands determination and hard work, and at the outset this can often be for little financial reward. You must have the personal drive to keep going if your business is to succeed.
• Dealing with other people - as a self-employed business owner you will need tact and diplomacy to deal with other people and negotiate effectively.
• Self-confidence - you must feel comfortable promoting your business and the services or products it offers to a wide range of people.
• Organisational skills - you will have to manage your time, carry out administrative tasks, handle the bookkeeping and find new customers, while still delivering goods or services to existing customers.