Growing Pains - 06/96

You may be an entrepreneur

• if you sleep like a baby — and wake up in the middle of the night crying.
• if you can't believe you're so far in debt.
• if you've ever had to scramble to find a lot of money in a short time.
• If you wonder if there was a time in your life when things were simpler — and will they ever be again.
• if you are sure no one understands how tough it is.
• if you pull out your first business plan and read it to get a good laugh.
• if you spend a lot of time sweet-talking vendors and leaning on late-paying customers.
• if the high point in your week is the day that most checks show up in the mailbox.
• if you've ever paid a tax deposit late so you could make payroll or pay a critical vendor.
• if you can't believe the resultant penalties and interest on the late tax deposit.
• if your emotions go from enormous highs to incredible lows in the span of a few hours during your normal workday.
• if you've believed you're almost over the hump to then find the next hump is even higher.
• if you panic when a man in a suit walks in your front door and you don't recognize him and don't have an appointment.
• if you laugh hysterically when someone says how great it must be to have your own business and be your own boss.
• if you have a collection of your meager paychecks waiting to be cashed.
• if you refuse to quit.