Recently, I attended Durham College to try the motorcycle training course -- a long-time dream of mine. You might wonder what motorcycle training has to do with being an entrepreneur or running a business. I found a number of parallels. I knew there was an element of danger in becoming a rider but there was also the promise of excitement and the feeling of freedom, similar to the experience one often has when becoming a self-employed person.

When I arrived at the college I received solid information from a group of savvy motorcycle instructors. I listened intently to what I should expect over those couple of days of training and how to best prepare for this new undertaking. Those nine words I often say to myself ran through my head; "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail."

It was important to do this right, no margin for error here and there was so much at stake, not the least of which was my ego. Flunking this course would be an embarrassment. I could also imagine those naysayer types muttering, "What is this forty-something year old woman doing, wanting to ride a motorcycle?"

It is common to experience this feedback when you want to launch your own business. Some people think you are downright crazy.

So plan I did, from wearing the right gear that weekend, taking into account the weather (we had rain and very cool temperatures), to researching helmets, gloves, boots and a proper jacket. I had to figure out what I needed right away and what gear could wait. I likened it to when I started my own business: the careful planning, purchasing only what you need and holding off on what you can wait for, not getting carried away and draining the finances too much. The trepidation I felt was about the same in both instances as well. What the heck was I getting into?

Sometimes we dream of a business idea for many years or sometimes necessity comes along and that latent entrepreneur inside you springs into action rather quickly. So it begins with a dream and at some point the ride begins. With my M2 licence now firmly placed in my wallet and my new shiny black Triumph America Bonneville motorcycle, my new ride begins. Having passed the motorcycle test was a moment of triumph for me, like the launch of a brand new business venture.

Equip yourself with the correct information, make your plan and create that road map for your journey. Pull back on the throttle, ease up on the brakes and always, always keep looking exactly in the direction you want to go.