Or should that be ripe? Who knows! Anyway, how do you know whether you have what it takes to run your own business in today’s turbulent, innovative, changeable business world? I’ve pulled together an alternative list that would have business advisers, bank managers and accountants cringing!

 If you are right for running your own business you will see boundless opportunities, whereas, others do only what the boss has told them to do. You’ll relish change whilst people not ready for start up seek order, routine, stability and security. Many small business owners view their talent as a craft, to be worked on over years, constantly improving and refining their skills. Other people wonder  how much pension they will get.

If you are considering start up you’ll be looking forward to personally influencing people, customers and employees alike. If you regularly exercise positional authority, stay in a proper job! Great entrepreneurs build their business based on trust and sincerity, whereas, if you like to control everything, consider something else.

People starting their own business are always motivated to do more and inspire people to push the boundaries. If you think offering incentives to work harder motivates, think about taking up a hobby instead!

Entrepreneurs are always around interesting people, those that are involved in the latest idea, the most innovative of products/services and, are at the leading edge. Others court the ‘old boy’ network, meet with mundane and boring business people and don’t understand the real meaning of interesting.                    

You are known for being occasionally opinionated, or is that passionate, because you have strong views, if you keep quiet and don’t rock the boat, perhaps running your own business isn’t for you. If you are always looking at new ways/ideas and regularly stick your head above the parapet and your colleagues think this stuff is just b*****ks. Yep, go on, get out and start something.          

Finally, if you truly do real work that adds value and the other people around always look busy and work harder than anyone else they know, then perhaps now, is the right time to think about jumping to your own ship.

Obviously there is more to it than just this but, hey, has it helped you make a decision?