Don't let pride stand in the way of a successful business. The fact is, while yes, pride is important to get the ball rolling, it is incredibly important, vital even, that you know when/how to ask others for advice.

2. When entrepreneurs are just starting
out, they are often faced with
innumerable questions of how to
proceed forward. How do you get
ahead? Who do you ask for advice?
Why would competition even be
willing to help you? Well, while I’m
sure some are probably opposed, there
are certainly many good samaritans
out there who are eager to aid a
prospective business owner. That
said, here’s how to help others help
you:

3. Make It Easy to Help You
Many current business owners remember when they were just starting
out and they were forced to deal with the nuances and subtleties all on
their own. Reflecting on this fact is what often makes business owners
inclined to help you when you first start. Yet, when you are reaching
out to established entrepreneurs, you should make sure you are
keeping it short and sweet. To endlessly drag on and on will only serve
to hurt rather than help you. Not to mention, you will come off as more
professional and more knowledgeable should you keep it concise,
precise, and to the point.
Actually, you should just ask a specific question pertaining to what
exactly you want to know. This, of course, is not to say you should
compile a list of interrogative inquiries that will make the entrepreneur
in question feel they are filling out a questionnaire. Rather, one well-
posed question is enough to display your interest and incite a response
from your mentor (hopefully).

4. Follow-up with Thank You Letters
Manners go a long way in the business world. You
should be reaching out after an insightful
conversation to ensure the entrepreneur in
question knows you are gracious for his/her help.
By doing so, not only are you concretizing a
professional relationship, but you are getting
your name out there. That five minutes you took
to write a thank-you note may very well turn into
a professional referral later on and thus bring you
business. Always be thinking about your image
and the appearance you put forth in the business
world. Although it may sound superficial,
competency and skill are not enough to bring you
success. Appearance is, to say the least,
absolutely vital.

5. Just Do It
Don’t fall victim to paralysis by analysis. Even if every single detail and
nuanced subtlety are not planned for, you should move forward. Inertia is a
very real affecting factor and can cause you to become entrenched in your
current occupation without branching out to start the business you have
always dreamed of. You owe it to yourself to see what you’re capable of. It
may be a leap of faith to start your own business, but it is your leap of faith. It
is your decision. It is your life.

6. Maintain Consistency
Always put forth a consistent product or service.
People, consumers and business partners alike,
should know what to expect when doing business
with you. Always offer the same options and do not
play favorites or it could very well come back to
bite you. Do not do extra for one customer or they
may preach word of your extra service, and soon
that extra service becomes a common service,
exponentially increasing your workload. Know
what you offer and do it well. There is no need for
anything else.

7. There are many avenues an entrepreneur can take to success
but it never hurts to see what paths others have traveled.
Gather insight so you are not forced to make the same
mistakes those before you have already made. Work smarter,
not harder.