The quickest way to become financially independent, says Venice, Florida-based entrepreneur John J. O'Callaghan, is to start a small business of your own. "You will have to work harder than you have ever worked before, and probably for less money in the beginning. However," John says, "if you like what you are doing, it will seem more like pleasure than work." If possible, you should try to find a way to capitalize on your existing knowledge and skills.

As Benjamin Franklin once said, "The shoemaker should stick to his last." Many people who dream of starting a business wait until they retire. Then they buy a business, and find all they have done is exchange money for work. Working ten or twelve hours a day, six or seven days a week in a mom-and-pop operation, is not the best way to get rich. You should not go into business with the idea of doing all the work yourself. You have to become an owner/manager rather than an owner/operator. To get rich quick you need the power of leverage. You have to clone yourself. You have to hire competent people and let them do the work while you concentrate on managing and expanding the business.

But for any budding freelancer, these are challenges not obstacles. Best of all,with experience, they soon become just another routine part of the job.

Your Potential For Success

Test your success potential against the following twenty questions. Score 1 for every "Yes." Score 0 for every "No." Score less than 13 and you are not quite ready to run your own business.

* Are you in a hurry to get rich?
* Do you have a positive attitude?
* Do you have a creative imagination?
* Do you have drive, persistence and a dogged determination to succeed?
* Are you willing to take carefully calculated risks?
* Do you have some savings and are you able to borrow more?
* Are you willing to go where the money is?
* Do you have an existing skill or knowledge you can capitalize on?
* Can you come up with a simple idea that's loaded with customer benefits?
* Can you identify a particular niche and the needs of that market niche?
* Can you find a cost efficient way of reaching your market?
* Can you test your idea in the marketplace before making commitment?
* Can you start on a part-time basis and work evenings and weekends?
* Do you know a number of experts you can call on for advice?
* Do you have some selling, advertising and marketing skills?
* Can you make your offer more attractive than your competitors?
* Can you devise a business plan and set realistic goals?
* Are you willing and able to hire competent people to help you?
* Are you willing to delegate authority?
* Does your spouse support you in your business ambitions?

Author:Patrick Tan, a former journalist and entrepreneur, offers a complete range of e-commerce solutions, services and free resources to help you build a successful career online. Visit his site at http://www.aloha-city.com for more information. He publishes a free newsletter to share his experience and business know-how. Subscribe Now!basics@aloha-city.com