Make a list of the skills that are needed for you to be successful as a small business owner. Do you have these skills? It would be a good idea to share your list with individuals who will be honest with you and offer their perspective as well. How will you shore up the skills gaps you find?

Include the following in your self evaluation:

What technical skills do you have already? What additional technical skills do you need? (These are specific skills needed for your business)

What soft skills do you have already? For example, you may be a really good communicator, you may have good coping skills, or you may have great empathy.

Identify stories you like to tell about your skills. What do these stories tell you about your technical or soft skills that you may have missed?

Ask someone you know. What skills do they see in you?

Make a list of the technical and soft skills needed for the business you intend to start. Compare that list to your skills inventory.

What gaps do you have? How would you shore up your own skills? Will you hire someone to fill that gap?