As one who has somewhat of an entrepreneurial spirit, there are some things I am not comfortable with, one of those things is nest egg risk. As a investor in the stock market for many years, I have stayed in the low to moderate risk area, that is how I am about my home business. Maybe that’s how you are too. If yes, you most likely will never be rich, but if things remain status-quo, you will be comfortable. If you dream of owning your own business you should think carefully about how you feel money, not the money you hope to make, but the money you have saved or put away for a rainy day.

The idea of being your own boss, calling all the shots, and taking control of your destiny is a dream for many people, but owning and running a business takes more than desire.

Before you make your shell out your hard-earned dollars, whether it is $50 to start a home business or $50,000 for a franchise, ask yourself a few questions first.

• Are you comfortable with risk? Don’t invest your life savings unless you’re sure you can live with the possibility of losing your nest egg. All entrepreneurs worry about money, but you can’t let your fears paralyze you.

• Will you be committed and passionate about your business? A business that doesn’t excite you from the start won’t sustain your energy when demands are great and payoffs uncertain. Pick a business that you truly believe in, one you’d be happy to work in regardless of whether you ever get rich.

• Do you have the time and energy? Running your own business is not a 9-to-5 job. You need to be to able to maintain the pace of building a company from the ground up, especially during the early years. And if you are still working your regular 9-to-5 job you have to be willing to forego many things.

• Is your family on board? Running a business calls for all your concentration, and if your family feels short-changed, the added stress can do you in. Include them in any decision you make so you don’t have to worry about problems at home.

If you can say yes to these questions, go for it.