At first glance it sounds perfect: Leave corporate world behind and become an entrepreneur. No more commuting, office politics, difficult co-workers and demanding supervisors. You’ll be your own boss and reap all financial rewards. It will be a brand-new lifestyle with incredible opportunities and much less stress.

Others have achieved new “American Dream.” Look at young kids who started Apple on a shoestring in late 1970s. Don’t forget two engineers who launched a little company called Hewlett Packard out of a small backyard garage. Mrs. Fields took a cookie recipe -- of all things -- and built it into a national model that is taught in many business schools.

Why not you? Yes, you could have next great business idea, but that alone might not be enough. Ask yourself, do you have right stuff to launch and run a successful business? Here are five questions to consider before making big leap from a steady paycheck to business owner.

1. Are you a self-starter? With no one looking over your shoulder, it’s easy to procrastinate. You must have discipline that is needed to plan, set goals and stay focused.

Since many small businesses initially start out as home-based to keep overhead low, working from home brings additional distractions. Can you resist temptation to eat cookies and watch reruns of “Law and Order” when you should be making marketing calls?

2. What are your expectations? If your goal is to work fewer hours and feel less stress, then think again.

The U.S. Small Business Administration estimates that business ownership requires a tremendous commitment, with 12-hour workdays, often seven days a week. Needless to say, this can be a strain on family life. If you think it might be too much, then consider a job change or a new career with an established company rather than launching your own business.

3. What are your financial goals? In short-term your income will probably be lower, and it could stay this way for a long time. Additionally, no one pays for vacations, health care plan, profit sharing or stock options. You must set up your own retirement plan as well.

In a world full of complications sometimes we overlook simple things in life. We are so busy trying to work out our twisted problems that we miss out on simple secrets to success. The same can be said of our business tactics. We get caught up in endless problems when all we really need to do is to step back and see simple alternatives, that will lead us to success. Sometimes we need to think with simplicity of a child.

Not so long ago, Summer holidays (vacation) in USA meant rebirth of Lemonade Empire. Enterprising children of about 10 years and up set up their lemonade stands and earned themselves some holiday money. A note to all who do not live in USA, school children in USA have a 3 month vacation in summer, allowing them a great deal of free time. This was before year round schools that have tried to cut down long summer vacation. The Lemonade era was in full swing in these “good old days.”

The Lemonade King/Queen, who would earn most money by end of vacation, depended on individual business tactics. Being children they did not have any complicated “think tanks" or secret board meetings, they relied on simple principles and techniques. Let me explain with these few points.

There was a need/market: Hot thirsty people, (most of USA has hot Summers) A proven hot selling product: Cold Lemonade is ultimate drink for a hot Summer day. Cheap premises, simple set up and low overhead: A stand with supplies at curb( side of road) would not be too expensive.

However there was hot competition, many children on vacation, and this is where simple business tactics came into play. Just 3 examples:

1. The Price War:

One child was selling Lemonade for 10c

Another for 15c

A third for 25c

All had simple stands with a white board saying Lemonade 10c/15c/25c. They had stands that stood alone, with no related service.

Business tactic #2 Location: