Just about 12 years ago I was working as a corporate staff accountant for a major US Corporation. In my spare time I was exploring the world of Multi-level marketing. Multi-level marketing was fun and I learn a lot about what it takes to start my own business. The more I got involved with the world of Multi-Level marketing the more the desire to start my own business grew inside me.

The *jump* from leaving a secure job to working for myself was a stuff one. Many questions bombarded me and left me totally helpless. How could I "give-up" a good paying job? What about my family? How was I supposed to feed and clothe them? Man, what a dilemma! So I did what *Most* Corporate Americans do, I kept right on dreaming about it. It sounded good but I just couldn't take the *Risk*.

Just when I thought I was *safe* and *secure* with my Corporate job, the company decided to *downsize*. And Guess What? I was offered a severance package and toss out into the world of joblessness. What a *bummer*. "What am I going to do now?"

Fortunately for me the accounting and computer skills that I had acquired provided me with an opportunity to earn a few extra dollars for a while. I continued to search for another Corporate Accounting job. In the process, however, I discovered that my computer skills were in DEMAND. I discussed the possibility of starting a Computer Consulting Service for Small Businesses with my wife. She agreed that it was worth a *shot* and the rest is history.

Man did we struggle for the first two years! As I look back, I really don't know how we survived. There were times when we had *no money* for weeks at a time. And let me tell you, the stress and pressures that we faced during that time were almost unbearable. Even our friends and closest relatives seemed to turn against us. The only words of encouragement that we ever heard from them was "Maybe you should get a *Real* job".

Well to make a long story short we survived. So what's the point of this article anyway you might ask. If you plan to start your own business someday, here's my Number One Hot Tip. DISCUSS IT WITH YOUR SPOUSE. Not only should you discuss it with your spouse you should get his/her 100% backing. Why? Remember the first two years of my business start that I discussed earlier in this article. Now just imagine if I hadn't gotten by wife's full agreement to start the Computer Consulting Business. Do you really think that I would have survived that first two years? NO WAY!

If you are contemplating starting your own business or you just started, discuss it with your spouse. Get his/her 100% backing and together you will be able to weather the storms of entrepreneurship and Accelerate your Small Business start-up.