19 Pieces Of Advice For Aspiring Entrepreneurs Deciding When To Launch

In an era of both great opportunity and uncertainty, becoming an entrepreneur is an exciting and daunting endeavor. As such, many aspiring founders may be wondering about the ideal time to start their business. While there is no one-size-fits-all answer, there are many factors to consider, from personal readiness and market conditions to available resources and support.

To help guide your decision, 19 Forbes Coaches Council members share key pieces of advice for those looking to start their own venture. Whether you are ready to launch tomorrow or still exploring your next steps, these practical tips will help you move forward with confidence.

1. See If Adaptability Has Become Second Nature

Entrepreneurship is a journey. It feels less like a choice and more like a calling. It’s not just about starting a new business—it’s a mindset, a way of seeing problems as opportunities and embracing the uncertainty. You’ll know it’s the right time to start a business when adaptability becomes second nature. If you’re ready to embrace change and passionate about your calling, the time is now. – Ira Wolfe, Poised for the Future Company

2. Talk To Other Successful Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurship is the hardest career path. It is not for everyone. Connect with a business coach to help you understand if that is the right fit. Talk to other successful entrepreneurs inside and outside of your industry. Get their lessons learned. When you decide to do it, surround yourself with the right people who can help you develop a solid plan, guide you in the process and ensure success. – Jason Ballard, Soar Higher Coaching & Training

3. Focus On Your Internal Readiness

Successful founders know that there’s never a perfect moment to launch a business. There is, however, a perfect and potent brew of vision, passion, strategy and resilience that games the chances of success regardless of which winds are blowing. Uncertainty is not a bug; it’s a feature of work—and life—now. Check your internal landscape; it’s not the world that needs to be ready—it’s you! – Joanne Heyman, Heyman Partners

4. Write Down Your Vision

Nothing is guaranteed in business or in life, and we cannot predict the future. If one has a dream and a vision to start a business, then start today. Write down your vision of how your business will impact your personal life and how you will change the world. Then, write a detailed business plan and review it with a business coach or mentor. Take the leap today and believe in your vision and dream. – Andrea Bullard, Andrea Bullard & Company

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5. Follow Your Passion

When you love what you do, it energizes you, and persistence flows. Join a business ecosystem to find partners and avoid reinventing the wheel. Start gradually, but don’t get stuck. Resilient entrepreneurs blend determination with creative thinking. Find mentors who’ve walked your path; their stories can save you from several mistakes and guide you in the right direction from the start! – Isabelita Castilho, Executive Power FZE

6. Understand Your Unique Strengths

Want to take the entrepreneurial leap? Start by truly understanding your unique strengths. Then build a virtual board of trusted advisors who complement your talents and can offer guidance. When you focus on what you’re naturally gifted at and surround yourself with people who fill your gaps, you’ll thrive. Don’t try to do it all—that’s the path to burnout. – Dana Williams, Dana Williams Co., LLC

7. Connect With Your ‘Why’

My advice is to deeply connect with your “why” before diving into entrepreneurship. Know what you want to be known for and the value you bring. Entrepreneurship requires a mindset shift from being an employee—it’s about creating opportunities, embracing risk and building something meaningful that aligns with your personal vision and purpose, despite the uncertainty. – Christine Daniels, Christine Daniels LLC

8. Know That Uncertainty Is A Constant

If you’re considering becoming an entrepreneur, it’s important to know that uncertainty will be ever present on that journey. Thus, if taking risks and stepping into the unknown feels terrifying rather than like an exciting challenge you feel like courageously charging toward, then entrepreneurship is probably not the right decision for you right now, when uncertainty is already high. – Susan Hobson, Elite High Performance Inc.

9. Trust Yourself And Be Intentional

Entrepreneurship is a journey into the unknown, and while 2025 brings both possibility and uncertainty, success comes from building a business aligned with what matters to you. Clarify your purpose, manage your energy and create systems that support growth. Lasting businesses are led by founders who stay grounded, adaptable and true to their impact. – Kelly Weber, The Wander Project

10. Build And Vet A Financial Model

Build a tight financial model that is conservative in its assumptions. Vet the model with others and ask them to poke holes in it. Find out what can go wrong, because something unforeseen will go wrong. Know your cash need at the highest point of outflows over inflows, then arrange for two times the funding of that number. – Bill English, OnPath Coaching

11. Lean Into Your Intuition; Take That First Step

The world needs what only you can offer. Trust your intuition. The “perfect” time doesn’t exist. If you feel the pull to build something, take that first step. The uncertainty is part of the journey, not a reason to turn back. Your purpose and passion will guide you, but it’s the consistent action that will lead to clarity. Don’t wait for everything to align perfectly—create your own path. – Ashley B. Stewart, The Corvian Group

12. Start With Small Initiatives And Investments

Test your ideas while you are still employed and have a stable income. Begin with small, quick initiatives and minimal investments as you assess the viability of your solution in the market before making a significant commitment. It is essential to have a genuine passion for your work, as this transition will require dedication, perseverance and resilience to achieve success. – Lori Huss, Lori Huss Coaching and Consulting

13. Take Calculated Risks; Start Lean

Entrepreneurs should welcome uncertainty as a catalyst, not an obstacle. Success often favors those who take calculated risks with a clear vision, adaptable strategy and relentless execution. It’s important to start lean, validate your idea early and leverage emerging technologies to gain an edge. The best time to build is when others hesitate. Opportunity thrives in moments of disruption. – Sariki Abungwo, Blesatech Consultancy Services

14. Make A List Of Pros And Cons

It takes about three years for a business to take off or fail. During uncertain times, a new entrepreneur must make decisions about launching a business to decide how much risk they are willing to manage. Make a list of pros and cons mapped to the goal of owning a business that may be used as a guide. Uncertainty (Covid-19, government hiring freezes), market shifts, unemployment and more always happen. – Diane Hudson, cpcc-careercoach

15. Give Yourself A Runway For Success

Rather than quitting your full-time job immediately and giving yourself one month before all of your bills are due, gradually establish your new company while still bringing in steady income. This allows you to grow your business by hustling on nights and weekends and then have enough money to invest in your business when the time is right. – Dr. April Willis, April Willis Consulting, LLC

16. Be Thoughtful And Prepared To Pivot

Pursue entrepreneurship, but do so thoughtfully. Understand your market, have a clear strategy and maintain financial discipline. Stay adaptable—new challenges will emerge, so be prepared to pivot. Surround yourself with a strong team and advisors. Entrepreneurship requires grit, but the potential rewards can be transformative. – Jonathan H. Westover, Ph.D., Human Capital Innovations

17. Identify The Problem Your Business Solves

Start with a validated problem, not just a passion. In uncertain times, the best entrepreneurs solve pressing, unavoidable problems with real market demand. Test your idea in lean ways—small bets, fast feedback and adaptability win over blind leaps. The right time isn’t about conditions being perfect; it’s about your ability to navigate chaos with clarity and resilience. – Carlos Hoyos, Elite Leader Institute

18. Do Your Research

Do your research and walk in with eyes wide open. Make sure you understand if there is a real need in the market for what you are doing. Create a business plan and review it with successful people who have built businesses. Being a successful entrepreneur takes an incredible work ethic and resilience. If you want certainty, structure and a safe career choice, it may not be for you. – Lindsey Zajac, Ascendant

19. Consider Your Year-Long Financial Plan

One piece of advice would be to ask yourself if you can financially and mentally stick it out for 12 months with no revenue while having a solid Plan B. Building a company takes time, and uncertainty is always part of the game, but the real test is endurance. If they are prepared for this, then they just need a steadfast plan to follow through in the next 12 months while fine-tuning to the operating environment. – Thomas Lim, Centre for Systems Leadership (SIM Academy)