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Before we discuss the next step to my last post, the Objectives to help you achieve your mission and vision, I want to discuss another important part of starting a business.

Back in college at the University of Oklahoma in the late 90s, I decided to take on the challenge of selling cutlery door to door. You may have heard of it, Cutco. You can imagine the responses I received from family and friends. It seemed impossible. I heard things like, “You have to pay for the cutlery kit and cold-call people to generate sales? And how much did you say they cost? Must be a scam!” or "Go mow lawns or work at the mall. That way you know how much money you will make." But I had a mission in mind:

This was my opportunity to learn sales, to learn how to train and manage others. It was my “boot-camp” for owning my own business one day. I thought, if I can sell knives by calling on people I don’t know, convince them to let me in their homes with knives, and sell them a set for $1,000, then I could do anything. Simply put, I believed in myself. I believed I could do it. And that summer, I was the 13th top national salesperson in the company. And today, I bring the techniques I learned into my business.

Every time you step out of the norm and do something unexpected out of your comfort zone, be prepared – here come the critics. Just remember, no matter the circumstances or opinions of others, if you believe you can and know why you're doing it, then nothing can stop you.

Believe you can.