Let’s face it. Working at a 9 to 6 dreary office job can be depressing for most people, and most of them would rather set up their own business and be their own boss, or even harbour the thought of it. The idea might seem cosy to most, but behind the scenes, it really takes up a gargantuan amount of effort, time, luck, and even sacrificing your own personal time to build up a thriving business.
Setting up a business
In the initial stages of planning, you might be thinking of what business you can be engaged in. Do you really want to do something that others are doing? If you are, how are you going to set yourself apart from the other competitors in the market? For starters, if you have a passion in something (or even something you are really good at), consider monetising it. A business can either be one that is service based, or even dealing with physical products. Conduct a market survey before committing to anything: you might not want to sell something that the market does not need.
Setbacks that you are going to face
For every business owner who is just starting out, the setbacks can vary. For certain industries, there are permits to be obtained, regulations to be adhered to, taxes payable, proper accounting records, etc. It is paramount to check with the governing authorities on what your business requires, before commencing operation. Companies like Watson & Watt Small Business Consulting services will be able to better advise you on these matters, so that you will not run afoul of the law.
Gathering the required funds
Finding the appropriate funding for your business is never an easy task, especially if you are new to the industry. For starters, the Internet can be a great way to find angel investors or even a venture capital firm to assist you with the funding. Truth be told, there are many businesses out there with the same concept as yours, but how do you make it special enough to capture their attention? That is when a consulting firm will come in and assist you with the preparations for a solid proposal plan.
Various ways of growing your business
With the advancement in technology, do not constrict yourself to the notion that a business should involve setting up a physical shop. There are many other successful businesses who started small: from having an online presence to having many successful physical shops. The lifeline of every business is their clients, and the way to make your business known is through advertising. This can take place in the form of digital marketing (SEO, social media, email, content marketing, etc.) and physical marketing (flyers, billboards, pop-ups, etc.).
It may seem daunting to take the very first step to set up your own business, but consider the potential rewards that come with it, and the very notion of working for yourself might seem like an exciting prospect. There is also the factor of failure which must be taken into account, but with the right amount of effort, planning and luck, one can succeed in this field.
