Starting a business is an adventure. It can be scary, stressful, and painful, but it can also be extremely rewarding on many different levels.

Just about anyone can start a business. You don't need a lot of money; you don't need to be a financial or computer genius. Don't let the idea of starting a business intimidate you.

While nearly anyone can start a business, not everyone can succeed. Being successful requires a good idea, thorough planning, adequate resources, hard work, good execution, and luck. Too many entrepreneurs think that a good idea alone will be enough, but that's rarely the case; planning is an area that's often neglected, but which can give your company an edge over others.

Starting up and running a business will give you a higher quality education in all aspects of business—management, marketing, finance, accounting, human resources, strategy, operations, and more—than just about any endeavor. Running a business will teach you about yourself, forge character, and create capabilities that will be assets to you for the rest of your life. In that respect, there is no failure for the entrepreneur that plans and prepares properly; the only failure is the experience that doesn't teach you valuable lessons.

Entrepreneurship isn't for everyone, but if you believe it's the right path for you, plan wisely, and good luck with your venture.