As entrepreneurs we are known for taking risks. Sometimes the risk can be just what is needed to be successful. However, some risks may cause major mistakes for our business. I think it is vitally important to observe and learn from the choices of both successful entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs that have made major mistakes. Therefore, I found the blog of Jayson Demers, Founder and CEO of AudienceBloom, to be very interesting. In his blog he covers the nine common mistakes made by entrepreneurs. In his blog he also references a quote from a book by Eric Ries that says “I have learned from both my own successes and failures and those of many others that it’s the boring stuff that matters the most. Startup success is not a consequence of good genes or being in the right place at the right time. Startup success can be engineered by following the right process, which means it can be learned, which means it can be taught.”

Here is the link to his blog if you would like to read about the nine common mistakes made by entrepreneurs: http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/245344

A business idea, no matter how great it may be, will not reach its full potential if it is not in the right location projected toward the right group of people. For example, I am wanting to create an equestrian program and start a business by giving riding lessons. My fiancé and I have found many great houses and farms to buy in different remote areas, but my business will have a better chance of success if we are located closer to schools. I have researched other equestrian programs and found that the ones located closer to schools attracted more business because parents did not have to drive as far and it was a competitive, educational,  and/or therapeutic after school activity that kids love. Therefore, I have discovered the group I want to attract and I am working toward finding the perfect location to promote success.
I have also noticed that many great businesses in Cullman went out of business even though they had great ideas because they were not in a location that attracted the right group of people. Through my research and observations, my greatest advice when starting a business is: 1) Figure out what group of people will be the most interested in your product. 2) Find the location that will attract your projected group the most.

In any business it is only a matter of time before you are faced with difficult or trying customers.  Confucius once said "Be sincere and true to your word, serious and careful in your actions; and you’ll get along.” This can be applied to many areas in a business, but it can also be effective when dealing with a customer who are presenting a challenge. I found a lot of helpful tips in the link below on how to deal with customers who make a situation hard to take control of.  I feel that everyone will benefit from this link because it provides steps to follow in difficult situations, and as entrepreneurs and business owners it is only a matter of time before we will be presented with these challenges.

http://www.cedmag.com/article-detail.cfm?id=10926256

One key point that is most needed when starting a business is marketing and exposing the business. However, marketing can be expensive and a new business may not be able to afford this needed exposure. So how does a business need to overcome this problem? Here is a link giving tips on how to cheaply yet effectively market a new business or product. I found these tips to be helpful and creative and I plan on putting some of these to use when I start my personal business.    http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/230984