The majority of women entrepreneurs go into business for one reason, and one reason only, they desire to control their own destiny. Women entrepreneurs, more than their male counterparts, languish to have the ability to manage work and family on their own terms.

Most women entrepreneurs have spent years working for others. Some enjoyed the work and others did what was necessary to make a pay check. Some spent most of their time dreaming of what they would do if they had control. Others cared little as long as the pay checks kept coming. Eventually, the need to pull off juggling family responsibilities (including child care, elder care, education, and household) and work obligations sets the wheels in motion for entrepreneurship. A new small business is born led by an inexperienced, but determined to make it work, entrepreneur (CEO in training).

Starting a business is a full time job and not to be entered into without serious consideration. Regardless of the size, all small businesses require 100% attention. Observing the success of another entrepreneur who seems to handle the responsibility with ease and expecting the same is often believing the flash without knowing the truth. As a business coach, I review dozens of small businesses a month that look great on the outside and are hanging on by a thread financially.

The truth is success is obtained only through hard work, adequate funding and a splash of good luck (call it chance or timing).

I have been reading The Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell and he calls it the 10,000 hour rule. In other words, success in everything can pretty much be had by any one doing anything if they are willing to commit working on it for 10,000 hours. Perhaps, this is why the most successful people are people who do what they love. If you love doing something you do it consistently - willing to do it even if you are not being paid to do it.

Think about it. Let me know how close you are to working at your business for 10,000 hours. We'll celebrate success together.