With the surge of interest in entrepreneurship, HR professionals are not immune nor exempt from feeling the “entrepreneurial bug” and desiring to pursue the goal (with accompanying joy and trails) of business ownership.  Many of you are thinking about starting your own contracting or consulting businesses, which is great.  However, before you put the “shingle” out, you must not only plan, but execute - to the hilt.  In developing your business plan, you will quickly notice that there is a wealth of information out there providing advice on how to start your new business.  Upon further research and study, you will also note common themes such as developing a business plan, marketing your services, defining your niche, etc.  However, there are many skills and activities-tasks that are rarely discussed, but are critical to your business.  I am going to share FIVE of these activities and skills with you right now that if not followed will put your business in jeopardy, before it even starts - to earn money.

1) Secure a Lawyer/Attorney: Ideally, you are going to be