People constantly ask me, “What are you going to do when you graduate?” I always respond, “That’s a good question.” I’m sure there are those of you, like me, who don’t know for sure. But I also know that there are a lot of you who already have a plan – hopefully you’re the ones graduating in just a couple of weeks. If you don’t have a plan, why not consider starting your own business? I did about six years ago and I have learned a lot. My business won’t ever be a Fortune 500 company, because that isn’t what I want. Initially I started my business because I wanted to be home with my children in the afternoon

Now I am glad I own my business because for the last two years I have been able to attend Guilford, and I’ve worked my hours around my classes. Some classes were harder to schedule around than others, but so far, I’ve been able to make it work.

When I was trying to decide what business I wanted to start, I knew I needed one that would need as little start-up money as possible, because I didn’t have a huge chunk of money to invest.

I looked around at different options and then decided to start a residential cleaning business. I started my research of how to be the best. I had to become an expert in my field. I spent hours reading, taking notes, and talking to others who were doing what I wanted to do.

A friend of mine wanted a job with flexibility, too and so we decided to form a partnership. We named her the CEO and I became the CFO. We felt really important – basically it meant that I pay the bills and she makes the schedule.

We registered our business, invested a small amount of money in advertisement, and started telling people about it. Within two weeks we were making enough money to pay our bills and our salary.

Our partnership works well because we both have the same vision – a successful business is about having time to do what you want to do. Money is important, but it is not our driving force.

A couple of years ago we talked with a small business consultant when we were trying to decide if we were going to start hiring people to help us. He asked us a really great question: “Do you want to become managers and spend your time solving problems that your employees have caused?” This did not sound appealing.

At that time we had been in business for about four years. He told me that most small businesses go under within the first year, and if it makes it past the second year then something you’re doing is right, so sometimes change is not such a good thing.

We didn’t change, so we are still owners and operators rather than managers. I’ve even helped four other women start their own business and served as an advisor to other women in the same business.

Owning your own business does have its negatives to consider. Health insurance, vacation and sick pay are all things that don’t come in the package deal, but you just have to plan for it. That’s the thing – you plan for it, because you make the decisions.

So, the next time someone asks you what you are going to do after graduation, maybe I’ll have inspired you to say, “I think I’ll start my own business.” Great! Now you’ve got to decide what that will be – Good luck!