Overcoming Obstacles: The Journey to Business Licensing
Back in the day when video games were just starting to go mainstream in households across the nation, there was one thing that made the gaming experience addictive: overcoming obstacles. From Donkey Kong to Super Mario Bros., and Fatal Fury to Mortal Kombat, video games created a way for average people to leap over hurdles and defeat impossible foes.
Like most things where there is only a single obstacle to overcome in order to proceed to the next level, the death/loss record for gamers are considerably low. Gamers take for granted how easy it is to beat a level or achieve a new high score; failing slightly can make it feel like you’ve failed pretty badly until you realize you do, in fact, have 500+ continues to play through.
What does any of this have to do with what’s discussed here at Jenney Games? Well, as avid gamers know, the challenge doesn’t come from the ability to play, but rather the challenge comes in the form of leveled obstacles to overcome: additional hurdles, time constraints, and the unexpected combo moves by the final boss.
In real life, however, hurdles can mean legal implications like having a criminal record that you must overcome in order to succeed in business. Should gaming ever go back to a childhood pastime, then going back to the drawing board can seem like a retreat. However, in-game and real world, the strategic and problem-solving skills, coupled with more ‘lives’ to draw from, will determine whether you succeed or fail when you’re in the face of a challenge.
Just as it can be difficult to know what rules of the game exist in life, especially when there are a wide range of circumstances present, one of the most important strategies in life is understanding how the game works. Typically, you have to learn about the basic rules before you can truly be good at the game and beating the highest level.
The same advantage can be used when considering what can be done to obtain a business license even with a felony record, even if you’re a felon. In the case of felons and obtaining business licenses, there is review of the criminal record and a risk assessment done for what may impact a business or occupation. Business licensing isn’t an exact science, so there may be more flexibility than you would expect.
And given that overcoming one hurdle, like a criminal record, doesn’t also guarantee success getting a business license, it’s critical to understand how your circumstances can impact the decision.
Deadlines, difficulty, and willingness to continue trying continue to affect gaming experiences as well as real-life situations. Gamers face a level of commitment to their skill by practicing and investing in their endeavors. Allowing yourself to improve how you play is essential to victory and repeated attempts require resilience and patience.
The same can be said for business licensing and overcoming a criminal record. If you’re willing to really focus on the process and the available resources and guidelines out there, then finding a way to approach the process can be the key to beating the odds.
There are several stories of successful felons that have been able to get business licenses. The following are just a few of the success stories about felons who took the time to research the process and beat the odds:
- A former drug dealer who started a lawn mowing business
- A woman who had been trafficked but was able to start a business with assistance from a local organization
- A shooter who was able to get several liquor licenses despite her conviction
- An ex-burglar who made his money building fences
Just Like in video games, when you begin the process of obtaining a business license, it’s important to plan as if you are facing a boss battle. Just as you have various skills in gaming, it’s worth noting that there are a number of ‘skills’ investors may look for in entrepreneurs such as:
- Communication
- Analytical thinking
- Teamwork
- Problem solving
As you continue digging deeper into the ways you can obtain a business license, it’s also important to demonstrate to your chosen state representatives that you’ve attained the right skills to succeed in business. And if the skills you possess don’t quite match up, be prepared to do the work to improve on those skills and show that you’re continuing to grow.
In gaming, overcoming obstacles often leads to increasing in skills as well. At the same time, it’s also worth noting how you can find a stream of ‘help’ for overcoming obstacles and defeating bosses. Within the gaming world, this is typically provided by cheats, clues, or anything else that can be found that helps you progress through the game. When seeking to overcome a difficulty like getting a business license, you can take a similar approach of looking for what can help you reach your ultimate goal.
When looking to get a business license or prove that a criminal record won’t impact the way you run a business, you will need to:
- Seek out power-up ‘perks’
- Take advantage of gap periods (waiting times) that come with running a business
- Keep seeking out hints and directions to improve your play
Despite the challenges involved, Josef Lunskey from Aspiretalk.com suffered discrimination within the field of transportation law despite his best efforts and sought to find value in his past. He was able to find work within the field, even despite his conviction.
Success in gaming can come down to how well you either keep your health bar or avoid being low on health while fighting a boss. This is where patience and strategy come into play, while also requiring you to keep composure and think through next steps for beating the boss.
The same can be said within the world of business law, whether you’re a felon seeking a business license or someone fighting a complex criminal charge. If you find yourself at a stalemate with obtaining a business license, then it may mean that you need to consider your health bar levels. If you find that your health levels aren’t as high as they should be, consider taking a few days off from your business or at least focus on less demanding activities as you figure out how to move past the hurdle of the business license.
Lunsky explains in his article How My Felony Conviction Helped My Career that he was able to utilize what he learned when seeking to defend his reputation and fight against the noose of a felony. Just as you would in gaming, Lunsky explains how he worked around the negative situation and explored the best ways to gain skills to help him not only fight his battles but also advance in his career and fill the requirements necessary for becoming a lawyer.
And as with any strategy in the gaming world, consulting with others can make a world of difference. Much like how multi-player battles require coordination and communication, getting help with a business license application can be a similar experience.
One of the key components of strategizing your next steps in getting a business license, especially with a felony record, is getting help getting the right information. The above stories are great resources for how you can overcome challenges within the business community. In a similar manner, working with a lawyer who works in business law can be the assist you need to finally defeat the boss and get the business license necessary for moving forward.
And as with most gaming experiences, it’s important to consider what you also need to do to be prepared for playing through a level and beating a boss. Keep the following strategies in mind when you’re hoping to get a business license and make sure you’re also prepared with what you need:
- Consider how you can level up
- Research what power-ups are available to you
- Make sure you’re ready to build critical skills and prepare for health adjustments
- Be ready to play round after round to win
Whether the game is about getting a business license or what you can do in a video game, you know that the experience is about overcoming obstacles one step at a time. You may be dealing with a setback, but you have the tools available to you to move forward and reach the next level.
Regardless of what you play, the key to using strategy in gaming and in life is to not give up. When you keep forging ahead, you’ll continue to be able to reach the next level.