The first key: Don’t underestimate how difficult the task will be.

When your son asks for a pet dog for the first time what do you ask
him?

Who is going to take care of it?

When adults see a dog they see how
much it will poop. They see it eating their shoes, wanting a walk,
drinking out of the toilet, not knowing when to shut the heck up. In
other words, they see all the responsibility that the little beast
represents. The child sees a cute little dog.

People starting a
business for the first time often get quite excited. This is only
natural. The dream is finally coming true for them. Sometimes they
forget what the business will cost them. Like having a pet, having your
own company is a lot of fun. However, taking care of a dog is nothing
compared to running a successful business. Knowing it’s tough, not all
sunshine and kisses, should make you pause to make sure you’re really
ready.

The second key: Simplicity.

Successful businesses
expand into new areas and markets. New businesses should keep their
focus simple. You don’t want to bite off more than you can chew. Serving a few
customers well is better than dissatisfying large groups of people who
will never return. Outsource everything you can. Don’t cut out the
middle man until you are sure you want his job.

I know for a lot of people a day at the beach is their ideal day, but for me home improvement is a passion.  We have renovated everything from our tiny apartment in Brooklyn to building a house in Los Angeles.  I never seem to tire of the whole experience.

Whether it is putting in a new flower bed or changing out the bathroom tile, I am always happy to do that type of work.  It is a relief from computers and offices. Over the years I have learned to use everything from a tile saw to a floor sander. When we say we just made over our bathroom — we didn’t have it done — we did it. I have found with a little basic math and a few tools any house can be improved. I wish I had kept track of all the money we saved on labor and materials. Whenever possible I look for sales and use a lowes coupon to extend our budget.

There have been moments that I thought I would die; digging out a hibiscus to make room for a deck, moving loads of dirt from one area to another, and removing drywall from a ceiling.  I have also firmly decided that anything that involves my loading bags of cement should be re-designed!!!

But with all the sweat, work and money we have put into houses in the past, I doubt that I would ever buy a house that was turn-key. My favorite words a realtor can say are: “It needs a bit of work”.