Sometimes I think it's human nature to want to learn things the hard way - at least that's the way it looks sometimes (especially when I'm trying to sort out other people's marketing mistakes).

But we all know it doesn't have to be that way.

When it comes to learning about starting out in business there are plenty of ways to find out about how other people did it and what you can learn from their mistakes and successes.  TV entrepreneurs cash in with their "how I made it" books and there are always events where you can hear local or national entrepreneurs generously share their experiences.  But these are exercises in sharing hindsight... which,as they say, is a wonderful thing.  It allows people to post-rationalise their decisions and, understandably, to shape their messages accordingly.

Which is why I find new venture, inafishbowl, such an interesting idea. Three first-time entepreneurs from the East Midlands are sharing their experiences, their highs and lows, pretty much as they happen.  A different kind of insight into the entrepreneurial journey altogether, with the opportunity to follow the thoughts and feelings behind the decisions they face and make.

Video, blogging and Twitter all add to the richness of the way these entrepreneurs share their progress day by day and week by week, giving a transparent view of what it's really like to start a business.  If you ever thought that you are alone in the dliemmas you face in business, these spin-free insights will, at least, provide reassurance and, I'd suggest, plenty of food for thought.

You can follow the progress of the entrepreneurs at http://www.inafishbowl.co.uk and keep tabs on this venture on Twitter http://twitter.com/fishbowlhq.