Chapter 1

Business Dreams and Hard Realities

Starting and running a business is always an adventure. Even for ­seasoned entrepreneurs, every new venture requires a step into the unknown, because each business is unique and every situation is unique. But whether it’s a for-profit, a nonprofit, an NGO, or a government agency being stood-up under another agency, a new venture always starts with some kind of a dream.

Maybe it was the dream of independence. Maybe it was the dream of becoming wealthy. Maybe it was the dream of making a contribution to society or the community. Maybe it was the dream of doing what you love, only what you love, and having fun doing it.

The so-called American Dream is all about quitting ...

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