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Welcome to the Ask Marney Column by Marney Makridakis Dear Marney,       I know that you have done a lot of work to inspire and help artists who are starting businesses. What would you say is the most crucial piece of advice you could give to somebody who is starting a business? Dear Reader:      I imagine most people would answer this question with answers like, "Have a business plan", "Have _x_ dollars in savings", "Have a mission statement", or "Research the market". But my response is a bit different. What I have observed in working with creative people who are starting/expanding businesses (mostly through YOU * U or with people I’ve coached) is that it is crucial to get to the bottom of question, "WHAT IS HOLDING YOU BACK?" The answers are different for everyone, but they usually are quite "hefty", in terms of issues that need to be addressed, one way or another, before opening to real success. Going to the core of THAT question is so worth the time it takes to get there.      If we look at success coming from a balance of both the internal beliefs and the outward actions, NEITHER of them can fall into place while we’re holding ourselves back in some way(s). And, conversely, when we are not holding ourselves back any longer, both the internal and external aspects can flow more easily that you can imagine. I’ve seen it over and over. When you are ready to stop holding back, you WILL suddenly have the time/resources/energy/magnetism to MAKE things fall in place in new ways. When there’s no holding you back, your soul is ready for you to succeed. You’ll have energy, ideas, solutions, and connections like never before. -Marney back to Index