This one goes out to all the people at the bottom of the barrel; the ones who have always wanted to start their own business, but were too afraid; and the university students who think like I used to.

When I was in business school, and up until I started my first “real” job, I used to inundate myself with books, interviews, and ideas leading me to believe that everyone who ran a company was a highly intelligent individual and was far superior to me and more on par with the brilliant business minds I had come to idealize like Elon Musk, Steve Jobs, Jack Dorsey and Bill Gates.

Working for a myriad of small-to-medium sized businesses now (I have yet to work for a large multi-national corporation), I can safely say that this is not the case. Most businesses that you see in ads, pass by on the street, or even the ones you purchase your goods from, are run by individuals no better than you or I. We all put our pants on just one leg at a time—granted, there are those of us who still choose to jump in with both feet.

A commonly held and trite statement, I know, but if you (like I once did) find it hard to believe, I challenge you to start working your way up the corporate ladder and I’m sure you’ll begin to see things just like I did. Businesses are owned and operated by people; people are prone to error; people aren’t perfect. 

At the end of the day, owning (or running) a business really comes down to three things:

• Funding

• Circumstance

• Risk aversion

Do you have the funds to start your own business? Can you acquire more funds through outside investors or even a bank loan? Then you’re well on your way to becoming a business owner or leader.

Have circumstances lined up in such a way that you’re able to enter into an ownership or leadership role already? Then, congrats, you’ve suddenly entered the top of the food chain thanks to the hands of fate.

Are you willing to fail? Are you willing to have your reputation be dragged through the mud and career be over if things go sideways? Excellent, then you’ve got the mindset needed to become a business owner or leader.

If you answered yes to each of the above, then you’re ready to become that new business owner or leader you’ve always wanted to be!

All things considered, it isn’t out of the realm of possibility to start that business you’ve always wanted; have confidence in your work while talking to your superiors; or move up the corporate ladder. It’s just a matter of money, timing and a willingness to give it your all.

Most businesses, in the end, are and will forever be run by people no better than you or I—all it takes is some start-up capital, extra cash to fix your mistakes, and the funds to hire people (like me) who will make your business run more smoothly for you.

-it’s all a game and these are the rules.