I taught entrepreneurial training courses to low-income women in San Francisco. As a new teacher, I was handed a thick binder of curriculum. The vast majority of it referred to owner-operated retail and product business; the vast majority of women in the class were starting up service businesses.

I spent YEARS mustering up ways to command high hourly consulting fees only to realize that I don’t want to directly render service at all – which means that the whole paradigm needs to go out the window.

After a long career in the corporate world of publishing, I finally decided to follow my passion which is to help others achieve optimum health and wellness through nutritional, environmental and lifestyle changes.

I have been having a lot of trouble with figuring out exactly how I am going to earn a living in this area, but having just stumbled across this blog post, I feel I’ve received some inspiration on how to begin.

My problem is because of real financial difficulties I keep wavering between looking at fulltime jobs again just to pay bills and get health insurance. I know this will divert me from the path I’m meant to be on, but how do I stay focused and postive when I need to support yoursel (and my two dogs!)?

I’m heading out to buy your book!
Thanks so much.
Susan

I find myself paralyzed, stuck, fearful, and worried. I have a home that I can maybe sell and if the price is right, maybe get a “grub-stake” to relocate to a lower cost of living area. I have a small monthly income that will cover the rent and food in another country. (I choose another country because I cannot afford Health Insurnace in the United States and I am a cancer survivor).

I read Pam’s post on What Kind of Business to Start; my problem isn’t too many ideas, it’s not having any ideas at all. I am considering signing up for her coaching.

Pam writes:

“Define the specific needs of your people.”

Steve C added the comment:

“What are they really willing to pay for?”

What if I don’t have any “people”? I had a retail and direct B2B sales company that relied on tens of thousands of dollars worth of design and production equipment and employees, none of which I own anymore or to which I have access. Prior to that I sold syndicated market research and database enhancement, also B2B.

So there’s a third question; if I can define the needs of “my” people (and I can’t yet) and if I can then determine that they are willing to pay for meeting their needs, do I have the necessary skills, experience, training, credentials, moxie, and capital to offer something (a product or service) to deliver to their needs?

And that is exactly where I am stuck . . .

Then, when you look at the intersection of ‘who am I’ and ‘who are my people’ – and ‘what is our learning edge’ (mine and theirs) – this is when real magic happens.

I hope this helps!