9 Steps to Starting Your Own Business
9 Steps to Starting Your Own Business
Running your own business is a stressful but good career and life choice. It demands your time and focus. Start by expecting to live your work until it is established so it can get off the ground. There are many different opinions about how to start a business.
From your business type to your business model to your physical location, there are so many variables it’s not easy to come up with a list that will work “exactly so” for everybody.The key, regardless of what type of business you’re starting, is to be flexible!
“Know yourself, and work in a job that caters to your strengths. This knowledge will make you happier.” – Sabrina Parsons
1} Find A Good Business Idea
A good business idea isn’t just one that turns a profit. It’s one that’s a good fit for you personally, for your target market, and for your location. Hopefully you’re going to be in business for a long time, so pick something you love.
2} Choose The Type Of Business You Want To Start
A traditional business isn’t right for everyone. If you want to hit the ground running with a tried-and-tested business model, a franchise may be a better fit for you, or if you like the idea of doing good at the same time, why not a nonprofit, or a social enterprise?
Choose The Type Of Business You Want To Start…
3} Do Your Market Research
One of the best ways to figure out whether or not you’ve hit upon a good idea is to get out and start talking to real people—do they really want a fancy Basque restaurant in their neighborhood or is another donut shop going to be more to their taste?
How to do Your Market Research for a New Business…
4} Test Your Business Idea
How do you really know you’ve hit upon a good idea? We use the lean planning methodology to figure this out. Of course, you may also want to get out and talk to real people about what they want and whether or not your product or service solves that need.
How to test your business idea…
5} Write Your Business Plan
While you don’t need a 40-page business plan in order to get your business up and running, if you’re seeking funding, banks and investors may ask for one.
How to Write your business plan…
6} Brand Your Business
A strong brand is the key to customer loyalty and higher sales. Now that you know a bit more about your target audience, you’ve got the opportunity—through your brand—to grab their attention.
7} Make It Legal
Before you can open shop and comfortably start doing business, you’ve got to make sure you’ve checked all the necessary boxes. You are going to have to do some things “by the book.”
How to make your business legal…
8} Get Financed
While not every startup needs outside funding, most businesses do require some help, at least at the beginning. If you’ve worked through your business plan and have a sound handle on your financials, pitching for funding should be a breeze.
3 Simple Ways to Finance your Business…
9} Market And Launch Your Business
It’s time to start getting people hyped up about your opening day. This is your opportunity to get things going with a bang!
Market and Launch Your Business…
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