If you are starting a business that is a direct offshoot of an industry you have worked in for some time, you will be strengthened by the experience you have gained talking the talk and walking the walk in that field. Perhaps you are coming from a corporate environment where you were a staff person or even a department head. No matter what level of responsibility you have had, you have been exposed to the issues of your particular company in the context of that industry. All of that experience is logged in your brain, ready for you to tap into with your new business.

Begin an organized inventory of your experience. As you make an honest assessment of what you know, you need to acknowledge your weak spots, and then begin the task of filling in the gaps. Try to engage someone who is older and wiser, or at least with loads of experience in your field, as a mentor. Any number of folks can furnish you with different perspectives, and many of them will also offer a more extensive knowledge base.

When looking for a mentor, try to find a person who is not only knowledgeable in her field but who also knows you. This person should be able to give you credible feedback on your plans and your suitability to undertake the business you've chosen.

Most likely you will discover that you already possess tremendous resources to draw upon. Your confidence will soar once you identify and organize these resources. When you begin to market yourself or your product, this confidence will go a long way in assuring your customers they are receiving the services of a pro. Don't panic if gaps appear in this discovery process. There are endless ways to fill them. Part of the excitement of undertaking a new endeavor is the thrill of trying something different.

The key to success is to not hold back. Stop dreaming, and get going with the preparations that will launch you into your next career as an entrepreneur. There are many facets to starting and running any successful business. The knowledge, expertise, and experience that you bring to the table as an individual business owner is the yeast in the dough. If you do not already have it, you will gain it with a combination of planning, hard work, and realistic goals.