Entrepreneurship: Am I Ready? Lucille C. Gambardella, PhD, APN-BC, CNE, ANEF CEO, Positive Transitions, Lewes, DE

Objective strengths development Complete a self-assessment and personal readiness review to provide insight to personal strengths and areas that need development prior to launching an independent practice strengths development

Few words about entrepreneurship It is not a spectator sport! It is more than starting a business/independent practice It is about exploring who you are and what is your passion It is about you making a difference It is about leadership

Let’s compare: Entrepreneurship Leadership Preparation Self-Assessment Incubation Overcoming “nay sayers” Motivation>>>>>Performance Self-Assessment Building an image Building confidence Insight>>>>>Verification

So what are the key skills I need? Creativity Business savvy Financial knowhow Awareness of my market

How about the work environment? Entrepreneur Fast pace multifaceted managerial researcher Independent Goal oriented

Categories of how I know I am ready General characteristics: Can you find value in what you do? Do you love a challenge combined with a tenacity for success? Are you a stellar communicator? Are you a “pay it forward” kind of person?

Categories, cont. Personal traits Do I have a positive attitude? Am I goal oriented in planning with action oriented behavior? Do I possess tenacity with innovation and critical thinking ability? Am I a life-long learner with impeccable integrity?

Categories cont. Motivation Desire for independence Desire for greater flexibility in HOW you practice Opportunity for more creative utilization of your talents Visioning hope, possibilities, and success

??? To nurse entrepreneurship Is there a market for my nursing specialty? Do I really love my specialty? Can I turn that into a business? What am I good at as an APN? Can I combine with business skills? Do I have technical skills? Keep up with technology innovations?

Can I answer these with a “yes”? Do I see this as a long-term commitment (like raising a child)? Do I see myself as capable of doing more than I realize? Do I have a passion for networking, marketing and motivating others? Will I place “customer” service first? Adapted from Donna Cardillo, Nursing & Entrepreneurship: Perfect Together. The Reporter 29:4, 2005

This is a “boot camp” experience Be brutally honest with gathering your readiness quotient Now is the time for exploring your inner self This path is not for “sissies”, but it has unimaginable rewards Remember, there are 7 days in a week…one of them is NOT someday