Getting Others to Take Your Startup Seriously

You're starting a business or getting your idea off the ground. You're determined to make this a success. But how can you get others--your spouse, your family and your friends--to take you seriously?

When you're full of passion and drive, it's frustrating when others don't seem to share your enthusiasm. They might nod politely as you express your ideas, but you sense that they don't believe in you. And they definitely aren't offering to help. What gives?

If you want the support of others, the first thing you must do is look inward and figure out how serious you are. Are you the type to have a new idea or scheme every week? Have you started lots of new projects in the past, only to lose enthusiasm and eventually drop them? While this shouldn't be a barrier to taking on something new, it could be a clue to why others don't take you as seriously as you wish they would.

Don't lose hope. If you're truly committed to your startup, others will start believing as you make visible progress. Here's an example: I receive calls and e-mails daily from aspiring inventors and entrepreneurs. I can immediately tell when someone is determined to make his or her business work and is serious about what he or she is doing.

Do Your Homework
Those people have done their homework. They understand the process. They've researched and have a fair understanding of the marketplace. They've spoken to other professionals in the field. They may have even taken steps in product development. At the very least, they've printed business cards or set up a business line.

Typically, they will call or e-mail with a specific question that is a few layers deep into the business development process. It's very different from an e-mail that says, "I have an idea that I know will sell millions. Now what?"

I and those close to you will respect a similar approach. They'll begin believing in you and perhaps offer advice, hands-on help or even money when they see you working toward your goal. The key is to stop talking about it and start doing it--and the respect for your efforts will follow.

So what, specifically, should you do to begin?

First, spend more than five minutes on the internet researching similar and competitive products or services, and document this research. Read books and magazine articles about starting up a business.

Then create a written business plan. Once others see your written plan, they'll have no choice but to take you seriously. While your end goal is to launch your product or service--not just get others to believe in what you're doing--it can significantly help your process having people support you along the way.

And if you'd like a business partner to join you (even if it's a family member or friend), a written plan can encourage someone to buy in.

Take Yourself Seriously
When I began talking about my first invention, the TP Saver, my husband listened but didn't get too involved. But I was determined to create a solution to a problem I was experiencing (I wanted a device to prevent my toddler from unraveling the toilet paper on a daily basis), and I knew other families must be having the same issue.

When I finally came home from a local machine shop with a rudimentary prototype of my idea, my husband sat up and took notice, realizing I was serious about this endeavor. I have since had his full support, and today we run my company as a team.

Like anything you do in life--starting an exercise plan, quitting a bad habit or taking on a new project--the key to getting others to respect your efforts and take you seriously is to take yourself seriously. Recognize that you are your first investor. Then you won't need to convince anyone: It will naturally fall into place.