Becoming an Entrepreneur

Journey into the World of Business
I was born into an entrepreneurial family. My parents operated a funeral business and I worked in this business in some capacity over the years along with my siblings. Growing up in an entrepreneurial home means understanding the very different elements involved in actually running a business, not just working for one.

Entrepreneurs have unique stress factors, worries, and concerns that come from being independent business people. You have to learn everything there is about being in business, from starting, marketing, financial record keeping, customer service, human resources management and everything else that happens.

What Was Your Journey to the Business World?
Think about your story of being in business. This helps you to understand the pursuit you have made to get to your level of excellence and success to date. It is easy to forget what you have learned in your life. You stop recognizing the great skill, talents and abilities God has given you to succeed. You have not given up. Why? Write your story about being in business. Use this to better understand what your purpose in business could be.

Your business story
Are you in business already? If not, do you intend to be? Write about your intentions for business.

Do you work for yourself, for others, in a non-profit or volunteer?

How did you get into business?

Was it an economic necessity or because you wanted to be independent?

Remember as many of your talents, skills and abilities as you can in your business story. You might be surprised at how many skills God has given you that you now take for granted in your life.

"O Lord, you are my God; I will praise your name for you have done wonderufl things: your counsel of all times are faithfulness and truth." Isaiah 25:1

Pray When The Deal Falls Through

How can you keep praying when a business deal you really need falls through?

Working with others, offering services and products makes business happen. Before meeting wtih a client, ask God's favor on the meeting so that everyone's needs are met. Ask for fairness, peace and comfort for all involved.

Praying about a business meeting means you ask God to keep your heart from becoming anxious. If the deal looks like it won't go through, ask that peace prevails in your heart and mind. Are you offering the best deal to this customer? Are there alternatives that you can offer instead? Have you made the best presentation of your goods and services?

Ask for the peace to know how to back away without taking it personally. REmember, people reject products and services, not you. It might not fit their needs or desires at this time. The money may not be available. You might have a product or services the personal always has or owns. The timing could be wrong. Not closing a deal doesn't mean you are not presenting a good product or service.

Pray for the interaction to be one of blessing for everyone involved and that a continued relationship can happen from the encounter.

How to Keep Praying

The Bible says you should pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:16). When you first hear this truth, you wonder, how can that happen? You have to think about how to run your business,m how to make the angry customer happen, how to increase your web traffic?

To pray without ceasing and yet be in the world each day is absolutely possible. If it wasn't, Christ wouldn't tell you to do it. You can control your mind, your thoughts and therefore your prayers. It might take conscious effort to get started to pray without ceasing but it can be done.

You will find out how to keep praying as you continue to read these posts. Check in often to stay encouraged in prayer.