The beginning of the end?

It will be my 8-month birthday in two weeks. No that's not my physical age - that's my freedom age. Almost 8 months ago I broke free of the corporate ball and chain and started flying solo. I should be celebrating, no?

Oh what heady days! I was literally and figuratively the king of my castle. A dictator to self. That was 8 months ago. Now I sit here thinking of that scary statistic that 80% of all businesses fail within the first year (and this even when there is no global crisis around). Things have really gone quiet. Should I start dusting off my CV?

I think not. What do they say again? When the going gets tough the tough get going? Stick that up on my wall with a little prestik. Say a little prayer every morning and then go out and fight, fight, fight!!

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Comment by Chandra Dake on March 20, 2009 at 10:58am: Well said Stanley,

There are still billionaires, and Still lot of companies make it good and big.

I would say weigh your options, how much time do you have, and work towards smaller pieces rather than much bigger plans as envisaged earlier. I guess Graham's conference would give some more information towards growth in this challenging times.

Comment by Stanley Epstein on March 20, 2009 at 10:38am: Think positively, Fortune. Just remember that 20% of all new businesses DONT fail in the first 5 years. Just make sure that you are a part of that 20%. And yes, things do go quiet from time to time. Use that as an opportunity to refocus and to reinvent.