Discovering Your Kitchen Table

The one thing to be aware of is that every entrepreneur starts out differently. As they say many road lead to the market mall. Hopefully, each entrance to the mall is well secured and guarded to give the shoppers a great peace mind.

Yes, as i said there are many roads that lead to the market mall. Entrepreneurs are of different shades. Some enterpreneurs are into wearing suit, some are into casual dressing. But they are all agreed that presentation matters.

Fortoday, i owuld like us to focus on how you may really an dtruly discover your kitchen table. But first of, let us understand the pyschology that surround the kitchen table practice of many entrepreneurs.

Undertanding the Psychology of KTEs

Often when we read about people starting businesses from their kicthen table, we may wonder if entrepreenurship could be so easy as for any one to start any business from the kitchen table. We may even think that these breed of entrepreneurs are possibly lazy, and being too laid back in their approach to the pursuit of entrepreneurship. But is this really so?

Psychologically, from the standpoint of the Kitchen Table Entrepreneur (KTE), it is often best to start small and grow big. This way the mental approach helps to prepare a more relaxed attitude in behaviour, helping to cut out all clutter in starting a business. The kitchen table is symbolic of one wanting to work in a relaxed, focussed and determined manner on whatever project that is at hand.

Afterall, the kicthen is where we cook our meal, and preapre the food that help to nourish our body. We go about cooking in a fun filled manner, following the recipe as religiously as possible, taking account of what we add, what should not be added, how long to cook the meal before its ready, and also we do enjoy one ofthe partnership in the kitchen when others come to join us to savour the meal, ensure that it tastes great. We also enjoy the convivial and friendly environment that we create when others work with us to make the cooking possible.

The table symbolises that surface on which we have contracted to work on any project, working in a systemaatic fashion to find solution to market needs, and problems. If we think it right, plan in right, it is always expected taht we would achieve very good results. The kicthen table is therefore, the test bed for creating, testing and working on ideas beforethey get to the marketplace.

Well, the idea has got to the marketplace, does that stop you from being a KTE? Perhaps yes, and no. What you want to do is to enjoy the comfort, and the peace of mind that you are not having to pay for an office space whilst your trialling your business idea. The business angels and venture capitalists are the big guys you want to parner with you in the kitchen while you are busy working on your idea and projects. These guys can smell good business from afar, and would move the earth for you.

Therefore another thing to understand about the useof the kitchen table, is that it is not designed to put you under pressure on the need to pay for rented space at the end of the month. The kitchen table is symbolic of peace of mind whilst you go through the stormy phases of working out on your ideas. If the idea does not work, then you can easily clear the table, and take a break, and no headlines to make you feel jittery about the removal men, and being taken into administration etc. the story can come later after you have broken through the barriers, not before. What news goes out about your business effort is all under your control.

Finding your Kitchen Table

So apart from the kitchen desktop that we all know about, where else can we use as our place to starting a business without costing the earth, andenjoying the peace of mind till we break through and succeeed at our business ventures.

Let's think about a couple of places:

1. The Kitchen Table/Desktop itself

You should already have one, or possibly can use your friend kitchen table/desktop. A littel corner equipped for working, and safeguarded whilst working on it. Ensure that the space is useable, optimized for working on your ideas.

2. Garage

Thcse come in various shades, and forms. You may possibly find them advertised in local, and national newspapers. It may involve you having to travel to site before you can use it. If it is you family of personal property then that is great.

Forthose who rent you may have to look at the convenience, and how posisble for you to move in your computers and other working equipments to make them available for use.

You may need a few garages depending on what your business is all about. Some businesses need a holding place for products and equipments, and naother for administrative and customer service centres. The possibilities are endless.

But you must be aware that this may not be as free as the normal kicthen desktop that is easily within your reach, and immediately available for use.

3. Spare Rooms/Home Office

This is spare room in a house. It may also double as a home office. What you want to ensure is that you really have the liberty to work on your own, or use this rooms without any disturbance.

The spare room may be rented, as long a syou can afford it, and it is secured enough for you to trust that you equipments and vaulable won't go missing or stolen. You really must guard your self aagainst all forms of theft, mugging, and deprivation - even of sleep when required

4. Shared Space

Part of being a successful entrepreneur is also learning to share spaces and things. Look to carving some little psace for your business ventures. Be aware that what needs to be done must be done now. There is no use bemoaning the lack of space, when you can actually start something in a shared space or room, observe some modesty, deuce spending, and be more disciplined in pursuing your business dreams. No one evr told you it was going to be all rosy, and ven if it was, there is guarantee that some thorn would be hiding in the mix.

Shared spaces are very great for those who have to use it as the last resort. However, keep a diary, document your work like crazy, hang up a calender to track your work, and remind you of your milestones etc. It puts you miles of one who wakes up, andgoes , hoping against hope that someday would come when they would have a house to themselves before thye can start their dream projects...may be not.

5. Park Benches and the like

Hmnnnn, i hear you say. What can we do with park benches.. a lot. I know some park benches are great places of escape for people who like to read, and in the quiet place. If you come equipped with a pack lunch and stationery in an outdoor rucksack, you can also sit on park benches ane do some quality writing, whilst enjoying the sight of beautiful scenery, and relaxed atmosphere. I reckon that other authors like web designers, software programmers and many of the same shade can enjoying the use of neighbourhood parks when working on projects and business ventures.

Remember to come with soem drinks, and sun cream to avoid sunburns. Mothers and fathers who come with their children in the buggies should remember to ocme along with some toys, and even do some reading to the child to foster a bonding relationship whilst working on that great project.

5. Friends, or Personal Cars

Your car can also double as a place to spend some wonderful on some literary or business ideas. It easily fall into the category of park benches, but with the slant that you would need to find a parking space where you would not incur crippling charges on parking spaces or congestion charges, if you live in the UK, for example.


6. A Living/Bedroom

You may use a bedroom as a place for doing some or all of your work. However, you owuld have to think on the available space, plugs to use if you want to use a computer, a place for writing, and summarising your daily tasks or To Do Lists (TDLs).

Don't ignore issues of ventilation, safety and convenience of others. For example, don't play the music loud and cause disturbance when you alreday know hwat great incovenience you cause otehr people by using up the living/bedroom space for your projects. Be considerate at all times.

7. Business Serviced Offices

These are business offices, and amy not be that cheap. However, they are viable options if you don't mind a bit of travelling, and possibly want to raise your buisness profiles with your clients.

Sure, it is more expensive, but worth every penny if consider that you really should not have meeting in the park orkicthen with a business angel, unless they ask to meet with you where your work is taking place. Presentation matters, and first impression counts.

If you can afford to rent a business office, then do it bearing in mind that it saves you alot of hassles in your business exposure, and in the way you present yourself. As time goes on, you owuld reach a stage where image is almost everything, if not everything.