I feel ready to take the plunge, but am I forgetting anything?

Dear Aunty B,

I know this is terrible timing but I am about to take the plunge and start my own software business.

I have a shareholder’s agreement with my partners; we have done our business and marketing plans; we have, we hope, enough cash for two years; and we think there is great demand for our product as we have been testing the market.

But just before I press the button is there anything else we need to do? I feel like some sort of ceremony is in order but I am not sure what.

Taking the leap heart in mouth,

Now

Dear Taking the leap,

That is the first haiku I have ever been sent. In fact, forget calendar quotes. I am calling it. Business haiku’s are the next big thing.

Look, I so understand where you are coming from. You are making this very important decision and you have done all the paperwork. Now it is the personal and emotional commitment that you want to make — which is why you are writing poetry.

The last stage of setting up any start-up and one that is completely overlooked are the personal vows you make to yourself. It is a bit like a marriage ceremony for one, but what the hell.

The good news is you only need a few vows.

I hereby swear that:

• I will maintain or increase my physical exercise throughout my business journey because nothing is more important to the business or my family than my physical health.
• I will always sleep no matter how pressing the problem because being awake at night is a total waste of time. If I have to take a meditation course, go to sleep school and listen to whale music in order to achieve this vow I will.
• I will make sure that my relationship with my husband/wife/kids, parents/in laws is stronger at the end of this business journey than at the start.
• I swear that I will not feel guilty asking for help from the outsourcing industry or anyone else – ever – in order to achieve any of the above.

Once you make those vows you will stick to them. It means that no matter how bad things are you can run through that mental checklist and feel immensely reassured that the truly important things in life are in order and that leaves you free  – and in top mental and physical shape – to focus on the business.

Be smart,

Your Aunty B

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