Fatima a young entrepreneur wakes up at 4 a.m., bleary-eyed but determined. The rent is overdue, there’s barely enough money for the week, and the business hasn’t seen a single sale in days. Most people would quit. But not her. She opens her laptop, grits her teeth, and pushes forward because she believes in her dream. A year later, after following these essential steps she’s running a six-figure business, laughing at the days she thought she wouldn’t make it.

That entrepreneur could be you.

Starting your own business is like embarking on the greatest adventure of your life—it’s exciting, uncertain, and filled with unexpected twists. But before you dive headfirst into the entrepreneurial ocean, you need a map to navigate the storms.

Here are 10 essential steps to lay the groundwork for success and help you turn your dream into a reality.

1. Can You Motivate Yourself When No One Else Will?

Starting your own business is a lonely road. No one’s going to cheer you on when it’s 2 a.m., and you’re stuck working on a pitch deck. There’s no boss nudging you toward deadlines. The drive has to come from within.

Real-Life Example: Take Elon Musk, for instance. In Tesla’s early days, it teetered on the brink of collapse. Musk poured his time, energy, and even personal finances into saving it. Why? Because he believed in his mission—and that belief fueled him through the darkest days.

Ask Yourself:

Start building your self-motivation muscle now. It’s your greatest weapon in the entrepreneurial battle.

2. Why Should You Save Money in Gold Bars?

You’ve heard the stories—entrepreneurs struggling through lean months, waiting for their big break. It’s not just a cliché; it’s reality. You need a financial safety net, and gold is an underrated yet powerful tool among others in these essential steps.

Why Gold?

Quick Tip: Check out Arewaworld.com to learn how you can start saving in gold today. It’s not just smart; it’s survival.

3. Do You Know How to Sell?

Here’s the unfiltered truth on our essential steps: If you can’t sell, your business won’t survive. Selling isn’t just about pitching a product—it’s about selling your vision, your story, and yourself.

Real-Life Example: Oprah Winfrey didn’t become a global icon by accident. She mastered the art of storytelling and connection, “selling” ideas that touched millions of lives.

Action Step:

Sell something—anything—today. Whether it’s an old book, a service, or a small product, get comfortable hearing “no” and learning how to turn it into a “yes.”

4. Have You Worked for an Entrepreneur?

Would you jump into a plane without learning to fly? Of course not. Yet, many new entrepreneurs skip the step of learning from someone who’s already in the trenches.

Why It Matters: Working for an entrepreneur gives you insights no business course ever will. You’ll witness successes, mistakes, and strategies firsthand—while getting paid to learn.

What to Do:

Find a mentor or entrepreneur whose work inspires you. Ask to shadow them, intern, or even volunteer.

5. Are You Building Relationships That Matter?

Your network is your most valuable asset. The right connections can open doors to funding, mentorship, and game-changing opportunities.

Real-Life Example: When Airbnb was just an idea, its founders relied on networking to gain investors and mentors who believed in their vision. Without those relationships, there would be no billion-dollar empire today.

Start Now:

Quick Note: If you’re enjoying this practical advice, don’t forget to hit the subscribe button on Arewaworld.com! We’re here to guide and inspire you on your entrepreneurial journey.

6. Are You Ready to Work 70-Hour Weeks (Temporarily)?

Here’s the gritty reality: Success doesn’t happen without sacrifice. For the first 12-24 months, you’ll work harder than ever before. Long nights, missed weekends—it’s part of the deal.

Example: Steve Jobs put in relentless 80-hour weeks while building Apple. The result? He turned his vision into one of the world’s most valuable companies.

Why It’s Worth It:

Temporary hustle builds long-term freedom. Put in the work now, and your future self will thank you.

7. Can You Learn and Research Faster Than Others?

In business, knowledge is currency. The quicker you learn, the faster you can adapt, grow, and stay ahead of the curve.

Pro Tips:

Our Wealth Mastery Course at Arewaworld.com can teach you practical strategies to grow your wealth and business. Don’t stop learning!

8. Are You Building an Audience?

Imagine launching a product to crickets—no audience, no trust, no sales. Now imagine launching to people who already love and believe in you. That’s the power of building an audience.

Real-Life Example: Fitness entrepreneur Kayla Itsines grew her Instagram following before launching her workout app. Result? Millions in sales on day one.

Start Small:

9. Do You Know Your Strengths and the Right Industry?

Not every business idea is right for you—and that’s okay. The key is to align your strengths with an industry that has demand.

Quick Tips:

Success becomes easier when you play to your strengths.

10. Will You Put Yourself in "Death Ground" Situations?

A “death ground” situation is where failure isn’t an option. It sounds terrifying, but it’s also where you unlock your true potential.

Example: Setting tight deadlines or starting with limited savings forces you to think faster, work harder, and get creative. Pressure creates diamonds.

Final Thoughts: The Journey Starts with You

Starting a business isn’t easy—but nothing worth having ever is. These 10 essential steps will give you the foundation you need to start strong, persevere through challenges, and build something extraordinary.

At Arewaworld.com, we’re here to help you every step of the way. Subscribe to our platform, explore our courses, and let’s build your dream together.

Your entrepreneurial adventure starts now. Go claim it.