You are quite aware that you should focus a significant amount of your attention on your family while you proceed but somehow it doesn't always happen that way as you become bogged down with trying to work out financial budgets, examine the potential of your business or even your own deep seated need to succeed in your field becomes a focal point.



It's important to realize that your family is an essential ingredient to your success and if they are displeased with how things are working out, it can negatively affect you, your business and your whole family life.

Your new business is bound to put constraints on your time as you work diligently to develop it and make it the success that you feel it can be. This can mean quality time spent with the family dwindles and family members can feel alone and unappreciated unless the family members are themselves involved as with a 'family business'.

It is important to realize that some of the family members may have different goals or priorities when it comes to business. They just may not have the same drive or inspiration and may not view a business success as paramount to their happiness.

If you want to make sure that they do not feel excluded or unhappy, it is a wise idea to have a family discussion with all the member affected and talk over the following topics:

- Will there be less time for shared family activities and attention for the members due to the new business venture? How great a time loss would the members be willing to accept?

- Is there going to be a need for the family finances to be rearranged to accommodate the new business or will it be financed by the family's income? Will it have a negative impact on the family budget as a whole?

- Are all the family members ready and eager to launch this business and believe it will be a success? Are the family members aware that the new business might not reach its financial goal or even fail which is a frequent occurrence with new businesses?

- How long a time span does the family think should be allowed for the business to remain a going concern if it is not living up to expectations and not generating enough or any revenue? If that happens, should it simply be shuttered or should there be an attempt to sell it off?

- Is there a contingency plan in the event that the new business goes under? Not all of these questions will yield immediate and thoroughly thought out answers before the business goes into operation or until it has been operating for a while. Many things can change that will impact the new business so it is helpful to go back over this list with the family members roughly twice a year to see if there are new opinions or additional input from the members.

Your family needs to feel connected and supportive of your new business plan or there can come a day when the family unit can break down. Most people do not want to lose their family to divorce or alienation because they allowed themselves to become obsessed with an idea or business plan.

The odds of your business succeeding are far more favorable if your family stands behind you cheerfully and optimistically. Be sure to give your family a chance to speak their minds and respect their opinions before taking those first steps on your new business path.