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Hi Opportunist,

I think I understand where your coming from. I have never been to school or uni, and I to have always wanted to have my own business,. I read and learn through books etc, and I would agree with the reading as I believe that before you enter any investments whether it is your own business, stocks, property and so on, you need to gain as much information from different areas as possible, but I don't think anything is a good a teacher as just doing it and learning from it as you go along.

I am 4 weeks away from launching my business which is a website that consumers use to gain information withing a certain sector.
I haven't owned business or even set up a website before, but I know what I want, I can see it in my head, I just spent time bringing in all the things needed to make it happen.
I am lucky in a way, my father in law is very successful, and has had companies that have been household names, so there is advice there (no money though-which makes me more determined), and I will only take advice off someone who has been there and done it.
So I know people that are very good at business and I watch and learn from them, do's and don'ts, and for this project I have made partners with people I feel can take the company to where I see it being in the future. (And that was a large learning curve in itself, and still will be!)

But one thing is for sure, I have learnt more in the last 3 months, than any amount of books has taught me, and I am about to learn a whole lot more. In fact I don't think I will ever stop leaning, from one venture to the next, I love it.

I have to had 100's of ideas and done nothing about them, I had 2 yesterday which I want form under the brand I am about to launch, I feel there is a market for them, maybe not, I'll let you know in time.

My opinion is that if you have lots of ideas and you want to make them a reality, then just do it. If your prepared to sacrifice things, put 110% into it and work your butt of then you will do it (I'd advise reading Steve's 'Build a business week by week though' you want to be sure there is a market for it etc before jumping in!).

I'll tell you what you should do with that time you make for reading, get an idea, think about it over and over in your head, picture it, picture consumers or businesses using or buying it, really put yourself in that situation. Then, follow Steve's book and start making some money. I day dream like that everyday, it keeps me hungry.

Tell you what, are you into cars? First one to get their dream car buys the other a beer? My goal (apart from the business being a huge success) is the Maserati QuattroPorte- need room for the 2 kids you see!!!

Go for it mate, why not, you'll only regret it, especially if someone else does and makes a mint, you'll be gutted!!

Hope it helps,

Nick.

You've got the right attitude from the start, cars are just a debt/liability.

Personally I think one of the worst things you can do is go out and buy those expensive items like cars etc as soon as you make it, I'd rather pay the mortgage off and clear all liabilities, and create assets.
My plan is to create the assets (biz, property etc) then let the assets buy my extravagant items like cars.

I also class my house as a liability, I've had discussions with people who disagree, but the way I see it an asset is something that puts money into my pocket, and my house doesn't do that, it drains about £1k a month.
The only time my house will be an asset is when I sell and take the equity out.
I have friends who buy to let, and they buy a house with a mortgage of say £700 per month. The rent they take is say £650, so they have to put in a little of there own money each month for the difference and extra for maintenance. They class it as an asset because in 25 years it will hopefully be sold and they'll make some money.
To me that is just simple maths as to whether an investment is good or not, to me thats bad. Why no wait until the market and rates are right and then buy so that your rent etc pays the mortgage and costs and still leaves some money for yourself, then it is an asset, it is making you money from the start.

Thats my opinion anyway. Then I don't mind buying a liability (car/s) as I love them, and you much have some fun hey!!