How Long’s it Gonna Take for Your Startup Business to Work?

This post is not about how many hours a day you’ll work or the tremendous enthusiasm you have at the beginning. It’s not about how much passion and sweat you put into the big push on a beautiful business plan.

It’s about the long haul.

Yes there are a million variables and exceptional scenarios of course - but I’m gonna give a guideline that I have found helpful over the years.

Let’s assume a few things:

It’s not a get rich quick scheme.
You intend this business to last at least 10 years (whether or not you intend to sell it during that time).
You have performed some type of gap analysis and aren’t just flying totally by the seat of your pants.
You have Core Competency or at least some considerable connections or advantage in the field.
If you are a Christian, you have some level of confirmation that God wants you to keep moving forward with it.

Here’s my answer: 18 Months.

What is the minimum time commitment that someone in a normal scenario with reasonably normal market conditions should give to see their new venture through? (Average Small Business)

If you can’t seriously commit for 18 months. You are probably not ready. Don’t do it.

If you are anywhere along that path with a current business you started and feeling like giving up - don’t do it.

Run to win. Think longer term and find the resolve to stick with it. 18 months is actually absurdly short - but I am saying MINIMUM. Pace yourself but keep moving. C’mon - you can do it.

In Christ and to Your Success,

Rick for Ti-MC

PS We continue to pray for you - our readers. Thanks for investing a slice of your day with us.