Here are my top 10 tips for new nurse business owners.

1. Have enough money - have enough money to get you through your start up phase. Desperation does not sell well.
2. Have a plan - have a business plan that will provide you a guideline to follow, and then follow it.
3. Have a mentor - look for someone with experience who is willing to help you navigate around the roadblocks. If you can't find a mentor, find a coach.
4. Start a business doing something you know well - don't start by doing something you have never done before. Your chances of being successful are much less if you try to start a business in which you have never worked.
5. Take risks - be willing to fail. Your risks should be calculated risks, but you will need to take risks. You will fail. If you're not failing part of the time, you are not taking enough risks.
6. Develop a routine - set working hours for yourself and tasks that you do on various days. You will find that the routines pull you into your working mode instead of you having to push yourself to work.
7. Create a space for your business - have a space that is dedicated to your business. If you always have to move your working papers off the dining room table to eat you will hesitate to get them out.
8. Plan to work hard, really hard - there are many rewards to owning your own business. However, you will find yourself working harder than you have ever worked for an employer.
9. Keep your emotions in check - you will experience many ups and downs, rejection, and challenges. Be prepared that these are all part of being in business and do not take what happens with your business personally.
10. Expect surprises - know that there will be surprises along the way. Some of these will be frustrating and some will be exhilarating. Just know there will be surprises.