Not everyone could or should be a business owner, but don’t let the fear of the unknown stop you from becoming an entrepreneur when it can be avoided. Most people have a list of excuses for not starting a business. Here are some of them.
Not Enough Money
This is perhaps the most popular excuse. Many people believe you need a pile of cash or an angel investor to start a business. While some ventures do require significant capital, many do not. In fact, today’s digital economy makes it easier than ever to start lean. I literally started a very cash intensive business of inventing and manufacturing a product with $100. Yes, it took many years to get it off the ground, but it’s now become a NASDAQ product of the year semi finalist and the product is sold in 25 countries.
How to Overcome It:
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Start small: Begin with a side hustle, freelance gig, or a service-based business that requires little to no overhead.
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Bootstrap creatively: Use what you have, whether it’s skills, tools, or a network. And reinvest any early earnings.
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Explore funding options: Look into microloans, crowdfunding, small business grants, or partnerships to fund growth when the time is right. I worked 2-3 jobs to start my business.
The key is not to wait for the perfect amount of money. Take one small step toward your business, even if it’s just offering a service to one person.
Not Enough Time
We all have 24 hours in a day. But how we use them is what makes the difference. Between full-time jobs, families, and other obligations, time can feel like a scarce resource. However, “not having time” is often a reflection of priorities, not possibilities. I worked nights and weekends even when I was working 2 jobs. I rarely slept and it took a long time to get the business going. But I slowly chipped away at it.
How to Overcome It:
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Track your time: Audit your daily schedule to identify where your time is really going. You might be surprised at how much time is spent scrolling, watching TV, or multitasking.
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Create a “power hour”: Set aside just one focused hour a day for business tasks. Over weeks and months, that hour adds up.
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Combine tasks: Listen to business podcasts while commuting, or brainstorm product ideas during lunch breaks.
Success doesn’t require a full-time commitment at first—just consistent, focused action.
“I’m Not an Expert”
Another big barrier is imposter syndrome. Many people believe they’re not “qualified” enough to start a business, especially if they don’t have a degree in business or years of experience in an industry. But expertise isn’t a prerequisite—it’s a process. When I started my business I had never really run anything before besides a lemonade stand or selling cookies as a kid. I had no experience manufacturing and distributing a product at all. But I had a patent on a unique product and a licensing deal I had fell through at the last minute so I knew I had to do it myself. That meant doing EVERYTHING.
How to Overcome It:
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Start with what you know: Everyone has knowledge, life experience, or skills that others find valuable. You don’t have to know everything—you just need to be a step ahead of the person you’re helping.
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Commit to learning: Read books, watch tutorials, and talk to people in your field. Learn as you build.
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Fail forward: Real-world experience is the fastest teacher. Every mistake gives you insight and makes you better.
Remember, most successful entrepreneurs didn’t start as experts. They became experts through doing.
Fear of Failure
Fear of failure stops more dreams than failure itself ever could. The truth is, failure is not the opposite of success. It’s part of it. Every entrepreneur fails at some point. What matters is how you respond.
How to Overcome It:
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Reframe failure: See it as feedback. If something doesn’t work, you’ve learned what not to do. That’s progress.
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Start small and test: Don’t go all-in without validation. Try a beta version, soft launch, or minimum viable product (MVP) to test your idea with low risk.
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Focus on the process: Set goals around actions, not outcomes. You can control effort, not results.
The only true failure is never starting.
“The Market Is Too Crowded”
Some people believe that because there are already a lot of businesses in their niche, there’s no room for them. But competition is not a curse. It’s proof that demand exists. The key is differentiation. You have to find your competitive advantage in the marketplace.
How to Overcome It:
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Find your niche: Serve a specific audience in a unique way. The more tailored your solution, the easier it is to stand out.
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Emphasize your story: People connect with authenticity. Your background, values, and voice can set your business apart.
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Innovate within the space: Look at what’s missing or how others are failing to meet customer needs. That gap is your opportunity.
Remember, there’s always room for someone who does things differently—or better.
Bonus Excuse for Not Starting a Business: “Now Isn’t the Right Time”
Waiting for the perfect time to start a business is like waiting for perfect weather to take a walk. There will always be challenges, uncertainty, or responsibilities that make it feel risky. But success comes from taking imperfect action now, not later.
How to Overcome It:
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Acknowledge the risk: Yes, there’s risk. But there’s also reward. Playing it safe can be just as risky in the long run.
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Break it down: Instead of starting the whole business tomorrow, break it into micro-steps. Register a domain name. Talk to a potential customer. Sketch out your idea.
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Visualize the regret: Picture yourself five years from now, still waiting. That image is often more motivating than any success story.
Excuses feel real. They often come from a place of fear, uncertainty, or wanting to protect ourselves. But letting them control your choices means never seeing what you’re truly capable of. Every successful entrepreneur once faced the same fears. But they chose to act anyway.
If you have a business idea burning inside you, the world needs it. You don’t need to be ready. You need to be willing. Start small, stay curious, and take the first step. Because the only thing more powerful than an excuse for not starting a business is a decision.