What I mean by that is I would have a primary source of income before I started a new business. Starting a new business is a daunting task normally, in this economy, frightening. And in a consulting or service provider business, you rely a lot on referrals and word of mouth from success. You don't have any of that form start, so you rely on direct marketing, cold calling which is brutal and the rejection rate is very high. What experience do you have? Any references? Completed projects? No thanks.
Next, you better have a lot of equipment already, and a lot of contacts and wholesalers ready to roll. What about local established competition with experience? Local market survey? Are you going to specialize or be a jack of all trades? Licensing, insurance, bonding, it all has to pencil out or you are just dreaming. Plus, in certain regions, actually many, it is a seasonal business. What are you going to do during the winter? Manage frozen ponds? That is why you keep your primary, day job or steady income until you can wean off of that with confidence and start off strong rather than just jump in and fail miserably. Business can be a cruel and unforgiving experience, and the government is screwing over small business owners every chance they get as of late.
