What are the qualities needed to start a small business?

Not matter what type of small business you have dreamed of opening you may be surprised to find that small business owners share a number of similar qualities. Studies have shown that these qualities are what often makes the difference between small businesses that succeed and ones that quietly fade away. While there is no definitive amount of each quality that you need to have in order to be a successful small business owner taking stock of this list can help you see if you are on the right path. Here is what you need to know to answer the questions-What are the qualities needed to start a small business?

The qualities of most successful small business owners include but are not limited to:
- A degree of self motivation-Small business owners are highly self motivated. This is crucial since there won't be a boss to get your going since you will be the boss. In order for your small business to be successful you will have to be the type of person who can get out of bed and head to work and be willing to stay late and get the job done without any outside motivation. If you are unsure as to whether you can do this you may have to rethink starting your own small business.
- Knowledge of the business and the industry-It is important to stress that you don't have to know everything about the small business you are starting but a base of knowledge is important. Do not let the glamour of a particular type of business lure you into thinking you can run it. For example-While it may seem fun to run a high end travel agency if you have never left your home state (or country), you may find the learning curve extremely steep. You need to take stock of your areas of expertise and then determine what type of small business you are most experienced to run.
- Highly developed organizational skills and management skills-Small business owner have to be a "jack of all trades". This means that you have to be highly organized in order to accomplish the many tasks that will confront you as you run your small business. If you find that you have trouble with organization and management you may find it difficult to run a small business. You will need to be able to organize the tasks that have to be done, manage them successfully, and then use these same skills to move your small business forward.
- Marketing skills-This is also an area that you don't need to know everything but knowing at least the basics of marketing is important. Most small business owners seem to have a natural talent for marketing. Consider this-if you don't market how will your customers know what you can offer them and most importantly where to find you? This is the essence of marketing. You will need to have at least some idea of how you will market your product or service. While you can expand your marketing plan to go far beyond the basics having a working knowledge of marketing is crucial to the success of your small business.
- Passion and dedication-Finally, the most important quality that small business owners need to have is passion and dedication for what they are doing. Getting a small business up and running and then making it successful can be difficult and at times overwhelming. It will take a large amount of sacrifice. You will need to make sure that you are fully committed to making your small business a success long before you even begin the process.