Yes, sales is important, but don't forget about marketing, which comes first. I have lost my job in the 2008 crisis and couldn't get employed back. I decided to

Yes, sales is important, but don't forget about marketing, which comes first. I have lost my job in the 2008 crisis and couldn't get employed back. I decided to start my own business with other folks who were laid off as well. Marketing was key for us to open doors and put us in front of the prospective customers. We ran the business for 5 years until we decided to get back to regular jobs, have kids etc. So if you are thinking on starting your own business, reserve some time to discuss marketing fundamentals: what your product/service is; pricing options and negotiation guidelines, target markets, customer profiles, niches; advertising (which I think grew exponentially complex these days). Sales will tend to flow well once you have marketing sorted out. It will be the cherry on the top, the Showtime.