All right I admit, that's not the most uplifting introduction I've ever read either, but many small businesses fail and the fear of failure prevents a lot of people from even trying. So why not take a look at what you can do to not hurt too much if your small business doesn't make it. It could give you a bit more incentive to take your shot.

Now, if you think that starting a business is only for people who like taking risks, you're probably right. But no one ever said you have to hurt because you tried. Only those people who will never have the gumption to get up and do it themselves would think like that.

Here are three places you can reduce your risk and they're financial, emotional and family. None of them are simple but let's see what we can cover in a short article.

To reduce the risks to your own self esteem if your great idea is shown to be a terrible mistake, remember that only the business was a failure - not you. Maybe the idea was ahead of it's time (euphemistically speaking) or you didn't have the right marketing or business experience. Maybe the newer, tougher competitors entered the market and probably you make some mistakes and bad decisions. But YOU are not a failure, until you concede defeat until that point, you are acquiring new skills.

Putting measures in place to protect your family if your business fails is also something you should think about. Remember, when you're stressed or frustrated or disappointed the people closest to you will feel it too, even if you don't notice. When If you're hard on yourself they will be upset. But don't lose site of the really important things.

Yes, you'll lose some time with them when you're burning the midnight oil, but one Kindergarten Thanksgiving play, one middle school graduation, and one tenth anniversary. The day that your child is too big for you to pick up will come sooner than you think. If you paid the price of all these missed events in your life because you were "at work" failing will cost more. Don't give up the balance in your life.

How to reduce the financial pain is probably the easiest thing for you to control – Don't manage your money carelessly. If this is your first business - for heavens sake don't invest money you don't have Look at an internet business as a great way to amass a wealth of experience without risking an equal ton of money. There are different retailbusiness models where you don't need an inventory exposure. You don't need to spend a fortune marketing your online business because you can learn to do much of the important work yourself. It's a great way to keep a lid on your investment – and your risk- and if you're not willing to stretch yourself enough to learn new skills, you'll never make it. Once you have a little success going for you and have a better feel for what you're doing and how to buy it, you can outsource some of the work, but don't outsource too early in the game.

Starting a small Business is tough. Louise Collins, the author of START UP MISTAKES, learned that all too well. In fact, when she looked back at her first full year running her online business, Louise added up what her mistakes cost her. It came to over $20,000.00.

And that's why she wrote START UP MISTAKES - a look at what NOT to do if you're wondering how to start a small business when you'd rather turn your money into profits - and not lessons.

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