Just a little over a year after the economy crumbled from its heights, the ripple effect and fall out is still being felt. However, for some people it's been an opportunity to reflect and ask questions that previously had been buried under the pressures of employment. Creativity, as well as forgotten dreams, have surfaced in the empty space of unemployment, and for some, it has meant becoming self-employed, perhaps for the first time in their lives.

Jumping into business ownership with both feet takes courage and a strong sense of purpose. Being hungry doesn't hurt. In fact, the lack of income from a weekly paycheck can lead to some insteresting strategies. How do I know? Because I've been there many times. It's become second nature for me and I simply live and breathe by the axiom: when the going gets tough, get creative. Seriously, I cannot come up with the number of times, my family and I have had to rely on shear creativity to survive, usually asking the question, "What service or skill can I offer that someone may need and be willing to pay for?"

One of the greatest challenges for recently laid off employees in becoming business owners is learning how to think and behave like a business owner rather than an employee. The mindset is completely different. Being an employee is similar to being a student. It is outer directed. You are told what to do and when and how to do it. You are expected to show up at a certain time and place to do it. If you don't, you're punished or fired.

Being a business owner is inner directed. You're in charge. You make all the decisions and determine when, where and how everything will be done. You show up when you decide to show up. Of course, there are consequences when you don't, but you are only accountable to yourself and oh yeah, your customers. As a business owner, your customers, in a sense, become your boss/ Yes, you still maintain some degree of control, but you now need to please the people you serve.

In essence, employment and business ownership are two different worlds. Many people, unable to find jobs, are being required to build a bridge between the two. This can be daunting, to say the least. Instead, of having a narrow focus as an employee, you now have to think of everything AND you have to DO everything. The buck stops on your doorstep. The complaints and problems are yours, but so is the joy of doing what you want to do, maybe for the first time ever.

Being an entrepreneur, whether willingly or reluctantly, can be the most amazing, terrifying and challenging experience of your life. But know that you are not alone. The way of the entpreneur is the way of the revoluntionary. We are all being forced to create a new and better economy and business ownership takes us back to our roots when life was simpler. You provide a product or service that someone needs and they do something for you or give you something in exchange. Bartering is coming back. It takes money out of the equation, because we are craving that real-time direct experience of exchanging goods for services or vice versa.

So if you're thinking of taking the plunge or you already have, you're in good company. Consider yourself a builder of a better life for all of us. That should help when you get overwhelmed and don't know how you're going to get everything done. You will. Others have. And remember: when the going gets tough, get creative. More on that soon.