If you’re a natural entrepreneur, you may think your car doesn’t matter. But you might be wrong. Your car may be standing in the way of your success, depending on your vehicle and business.
Here are a few ways to know whether your vehicle is holding you back from entrepreneurial success.
You don’t have enough space
If you need to haul merchandise, people or supplies, your vehicle will need adequate space to do so. You can’t exactly run an AC installation shop out of a sedan. At least, not for long.
Before you embark on your new venture, think about how much space your vehicle has versus how much you’ll need to comfortably run your business.
If you need more space but can’t afford the car payment right now, you may need to hold off on that business idea.
Your vehicle isn’t reliable
Unless you can run your business from your couch, you’ll need a reliable vehicle. If you’re driving an old junker, you run the risk of being late for important meetings or appointments. This can impact your reputation in the industry, so it’s not something to be taken lightly.
Before you start your business, perform any necessary maintenance on your vehicle. And if it needs repairs you cannot afford, this is something to seriously consider. You don’t want to be in the position where you’re turning away business because of your unreliable vehicle.
Your car embarrasses you
Embarrassment is a very personal thing, so only you will know if your car is embarrassing. You may be okay with driving clients around in a late-model Hyundai while someone else would be mortified. If your car is embarrassing to you, the embarrassment will mess with your confidence. You may not always deliver your best work when you’re feeling this way.
If this applies to you, consider upgrading your vehicle to something with status, like a used Mercedes-Benz. These are well-made cars that are reliable and highly-respected. With a car like this, you can drive clients around with confidence.
People are judging
As much as we’d love to think we’re living in a judgment-free world, everyone makes judgments based on appearance. So, if you show up to a sales meeting driving an old clunker, it sends the message that you’re not exactly successful. Like it or not, your car symbolizes your status in business and life.
You don’t need something showy, but it’s important to drive a newer-model presentable vehicle that’s in line with your business. So, if you’re marketing to middle-class clients, drive a car that’s on the upper end of middle-class luxury.
Driving a car that’s old and cheap sends the message that you’re poor, but driving a car that your clients can’t afford may send the message that your rates are too high. The exception to the latter is if you’re in an aspirational business, selling “the dream.”
When you think about starting a business, you may not think much about your personal vehicle. But maybe you should. Is your car influencing your entrepreneurial abilities?
