Mum Entrepreneurs.

I was just watching the Rachel Ray Show and they were highlighting Mum or 'Mom' entrepreneurs.

I am a mum and an entrepreneur. I have run several successful (whatever that means) businesses and now running a business from home that is pushing the million dollar mark. I never think of myself as being successful only that I am never as successful as I think I should be. It is only talking to other mothers that I realize how good I've got it. I barely do any work and I make enough to stay home and live a good life.

A few days a month I assist a consultant to make appointments with export businesses in Melbourne - and we go see clients together. So I get to meet lots of business people and see lots of interesting things, successes and failures.

Here are some observations

Many people start out with a less than stunning core idea - but that does not mean that they are going to be a failure it just means that they will spend longer getting there.

Most people don't ask the stupid questions - for example someone I saw recently 'invented' a product for the nail salon industry. They had made 10,000 samples and designed packaging and so on, they had legal advice and spend a great deal of money to get to that point. It took me less than 30 mins on Google to find that there was already the same concept out there with more features and done much better.

A lot of people waste a lot of time with people who placate them but don't offer anything to the bottom line (more on this on another post).

Most people are keen to get good business advice but very few have found it and that is why they are usually excited to meet me. Most people in business are too busy and to isolated to meet other people in business who are successful. Consultants generally offer little value because - and this might be harsh - those who can do - those who can't become consultants. I try to be as open as I can with information for the people I see, but like everyone who has their own business, I am too busy to help them implement.

My best advice.

Start with a great idea not just a good idea and research the hell out of it.

You can do a lot of good for your business by networking with other business people - and you can do a lot of that on line these days. Note: I contacted Guy Kawasaki about and idea and blow me down he sent me a reply.

Ask yourself, could you be making more money sitting on your arse? - there is big money to be made on the internet - A Byron Bay bikini maker sold over $7 million of the little Lycra buggers on-line last year. Watch this it changed my life.

Ask stupid questions - ask everybody - ask for help - be cheeky.

Protect yourself at http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/