Small business owners need to be hands-on to succeed | Features

I don’t like this idea very much. In fact, I hate it. If your idea is to crunch a few numbers, and stop by once in a while just to make an appearance, then I’d advise against the whole idea.

The big problem with your plan is that you are only a small part of the equation, when it’s supposed to be your business.

In one survey by Forbes.com, several successful entrepreneurs were asked how many hours per week they worked. Not one said less than 50, and the majority put in closer to 70 or 80 hours a week. While the latter may not be feasible if you’re already working a full-time job, the idea is the same. You have to love what you’re doing, and you must be willing to put in the time and effort to make it work.

When it comes to being a successful entrepreneur, you are the ideas. You are the passion, the vision, the energy and the desire to get things done and grow the business. If you don’t have the drive to be all those things, you’re better off not doing it at all. You’d have a better chance of making something work if you bought an existing business with a manager already in place.

I’m sorry, Temple. But in my mind, your idea — as it stands now — is a big disappointment just waiting to happen.

Dave Ramsey is America’s trusted voice on money and business, and CEO of Ramsey Solutions. He has authored seven best-selling books. The Dave Ramsey Show is heard by more than 11 million listeners each week on more than 550 radio stations and digital outlets. Follow Dave on Twitter at @DaveRamsey and on the web at daveramsey.com.