小企业为何会倒闭？
SBA says 50% fail during first year
小企业局声称一半的小企业在第一年就会倒闭
The U.S. Small Business Administration has seen lots of small businesses come and, unfortunately, go. According to the SBA, over 50% of small businesses fail in the first five years. Why? What goes wrong?
美国小企业管理局目睹了很多小企业来登记，但是不幸的是，又倒闭了。根据SBA资料显示，50%的小企业都是在头五年里倒闭的。为什么呢？发生了什么事情？
In his book Small Business Management, Michael Ames gives the following reasons for small business failure:
关于小企业失败的原因，Michael Ames在自己的《小企业管理》一书中给出了以下几点理由：
1. Lack of experience
缺少经验
2. Insufficient capital (money)
资金不足
3. Poor location
错误的选址
4. Poor inventory management
存货管理不善
5. Over-investment in fixed assets
在固定资产上投资过多
6. Poor credit arrangements
信贷安排不妥当
7. Personal use of business funds
私人动用公司资金
8. Unexpected growth
意外增长
Gustav Berle adds two more reasons in The Do It Yourself Business Book:
Gustav Berle在另外一本书中又加了两条理由：
9. Competition
竞争
10. Low sales
销售量低
These figures aren't meant to scare you, but to prepare you for the rocky path ahead. Underestimating the difficulty of starting a business is one of the biggest obstacles entrepreneurs face. However, success can be yours if you are patient, willing to work hard, and take all the necessary steps.
这些数据并不是想吓唬你的，而是帮你能够在未来艰难的道路上继续前进。低估了创业的难度是企业家面临的最大问题。然而，如果你有耐心，愿意努力工作，采取了所有的必要措施，成功就会属于你。
It's true that there are many reasons not to start your own business. But for the right person, the advantages of business ownership far outweigh the risks.
你不选择创业肯定也有很多理由。但是对于合适的人来说，自我创业的盈利远远大过风险。
You will be your own boss. Hard work and long hours directly benefit you, rather than increasing profits for someone else. Earning and growth potential are far greater. A new venture is as exciting as it is risky. Running a business provides endless challenge and opportunities for learning.
你可以当自己的老板。努力工作和长时间的工作会让你自己直接获益，而不是增长别人的利益。赚钱和增长的潜能都是非常大的。一项新的事业因为其风险而使人兴奋。自己创业会让你面临无数的挑战，得到很多及学习的机会。
