In the same way that most of us have a book inside waiting to be written, if we dare to glance at our inner risk-taking side, we may well find a successful entrepreneur waiting to take centre stage in our lives.

1. Want2get on? is a unique career coaching service that offers 1:1 support for those who want
to draw upon their Christian faith and apply it in a practical way to their job situation.
www.want2geton.co.uk Tel: 07503 177126 charles@want2geton.co.uk
Discover your inner entrepreneur
In the same way that most of us have a book inside waiting to be written, if we dare to glance
at our inner risk-taking side, we may well find a successful entrepreneur waiting to take
aking
centre stage in our lives. The first day following my redundancy, I reluctantly s
stepped into my
local Jobcentre and, as I waited to see my adviser I considered any alternative to signing on
adviser,
every fortnight – even self-employment.
employment.
At that moment I wish I could say that my mind was filled with inspirational quotes from
famous self-starters such as Anita Roddick or Peter Jones. Instead, I felt a degree of fear at
the thought of being self-employed which could neatly be captured by Les Dawson: ‘ used
employed, ‘I
to sell furniture for a living. The trouble was, it was my own!
own!’
The Apostle Peter is the character to whom many of us can relate most sometimes a bit
he most,
thoughtless in his speech and too quick to make promises, but also a person who displayed
huge courage. If you have ever considered starting up your own business, then you will be
able to connect with Peter’s experience of being called by Jesus to step out of the boat (his
comfort zone) to do the impossible: walk on water. (Matthew 14: 28-29)
© Copyright Want2geton? Christian Career Coaching UK 2013

2. Today in the UK, over 4 million people are self-employed, including an increasing number
who feel pressurised into it following unemployment. Economists generally agree that
entrepreneurship is the way out of recession, and it is people, possibly yourself, who, with
brilliant ideas, big dreams and well crafted plans, can lift communities and nations out of the
grip of the effects of recession.
Peter ran his own small-scale fishing business and would have been familiar with risk-taking
and basic economics. If he had sought only human wisdom such as:
“Catch a man a fish, and you can sell it to him. Teach a man to fish, and you ruin a wonderful
business opportunity.” (Groucho Marx)
…he would have remained a normal and unremarkable fisherman. However, what set Peter
apart was that he placed his faith in Jesus and allowed Him to speak directly into his life’s
calling: transforming his business from a fisher of fish to a fisher of men.
God has a plan for every part of your life that does not include your staying unemployed
where you cannot pay your way. If you ask Him in prayer, then He will speak to you about
your next move, either through the people with whom you speak, articles you read or your
quiet inner voice. Some of your steps to self-employment may well feel like you need God’s
help to walk on water, but His guidance can also be found in some more mundane advice:
Five key steps to start
1. Do something you are passionate about. What are you good at? What problem
have you seen that needs solving?
2. Research the market. You may love your idea, but does anyone want to buy it?
3. Write a business plan. A business plan helps you to focus your idea, foresee any
pitfalls and will be essential if you want to seek funding. For essential business advice
visit:
• www.businesslink.gov.uk
• www.fsb.org.uk
• www.start.biz/home.htm
4. Sort out the finances. Many businesses can be started on a small budget by using
savings or loans from friends and family.
© Copyright Want2geton? Christian Career Coaching UK 2013

3. 5. Build a support system. Some of the most successful entrepreneurs credit their
mentors for getting them there. Join a local business network or visit:
www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk to meet other business start-ups online.
Want2get on? is a unique career coaching service that offers 1:1 support for those who want
to draw upon their Christian faith and apply it in a practical way to their job situation.
www.want2geton.co.uk Tel: 07503 177126 charles@want2geton.co.uk
© Copyright Want2geton? Christian Career Coaching UK 2013