7 Essential Steps When Starting A Small Business

As the traditional employment landscape continues to shift, many individuals are recognising that job security, generous benefits, and linear career paths – are no longer guaranteed. This realisation has made the prospect of starting one’s own business increasingly attractive, and perhaps less daunting than in previous times.

If you’re part of the growing cadre of people aspiring towards self-employment and entrepreneurial success, here are seven critical steps to kickstart your business without squandering valuable time and financial resources.

Deciding On Your Business Type

The initial phase in your entrepreneurial journey involves deciding the nature of your enterprise. Franchise or independent? Service-oriented or manufacturing? Brick-and-mortar retail or e-commerce? Business-to-business or consumer-based? Each business type offers its unique set of advantages and challenges.

Consider what aligns with your lifestyle, skills, and passions. If you thrive on human interaction, a retail store might be ideal. However, this choice also introduces overhead costs like rent and utilities. The type of business you choose will dictate other operational aspects, such as payment methods like a subscription payment system and lead generation tactics.

Conducting Thorough Research

Aspiring entrepreneurs often fall into the trap of rushing their business’s launch, primarily due to the perceived benefits of “first-mover advantage.” However, in the realm of small businesses, a hasty market entry can lead to the wastage of essential resources.

Instead, take a measured and meticulous approach to investigate your business idea. Assess whether there’s an existing market, the level of competition, availability of substitutes, and whether your offering addresses a significant problem. It’s crucial to ascertain future demand, not just immediate interest. Once you’re convinced that your concept holds promise and can offer something unique, you can confidently proceed to the next step.

Crafting A Business Plan

Thanks to the vast resources available online, there’s no justification for neglecting to write a business plan before you launch. A well-crafted business plan, even if it’s a single page, forces you to address key questions vital for your business’s success. This document should outline:

• The business’s purpose.
• Your target customers
• The problem your product/service resolves
• Information about competitors and your unique advantage
• Your strategies for pricing, positioning, marketing, and supporting your product.
• Financial projections for the next 3-5 years

Choosing A Business Structure

As noted by Michael Hanley, a small business CPA, “The foundation for tax planning begins even before your first day of business operations.” Deciding whether your business will be a Sole Proprietorship, a Partnership, a traditional Corporation, an S-Corporation, or a Limited Liability Company (LLC) will significantly influence your business’s future tax implications.

Addressing The Paperwork

Starting a business necessitates several administrative tasks that are integral to your operations:

You must file for the relevant licenses and registrations with your state’s government. Consult your  Office of Taxation website for guidance on the required paperwork.

If your business relies on proprietary intellectual property, you must protect it through patents and trademarks, even though these processes can be costly. Securing relevant internet domain names is also crucial.

If you’re launching a minority or women-owned business, explore government programs offering startup capital.

Make sure you purchase suitable business insurance before you commence operations.

Assembling Your Team

Your team isn’t restricted to just your employees. You’ll require a network of trusted advisors, including an attorney, a tax accountant, and an insurance advisor/agent. Consider hiring a Virtual Assistant experienced in startups to handle administrative tasks and freelancers for initial marketing materials like corporate video production or optimised blog content.

Setting Realistic Expectations

Regardless of your business type—whether selling physical products, offering services, developing a digital product, or launching a startup—you will experience highs and lows. It’s essential to establish realistic expectations and not become disillusioned if your progress seems slower than anticipated in the initial months of growing your customer base.

Key Takeaways

• Traditional job security and career paths are no longer guaranteed, leading to an increased interest in starting one’s own business.
• Decide on the nature of your business based on your skills, passions, and lifestyle.
• Conduct thorough research to assess market demand, competition, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Craft a well-structured business plan to address key questions and outline strategies.
• Choose the right business structure for tax planning and future implications.
• Take care of necessary paperwork, licenses, registrations, and intellectual property protection.
• Build a trusted team of advisors and consider hiring freelancers or a virtual assistant.
• Set realistic expectations and remain patient, persistent, and adaptable throughout your entrepreneurial journey.

In conclusion, launching a small business is a significant undertaking, one filled with both opportunities and challenges. By clearly defining your business type, conducting extensive research, creating a business plan, choosing a suitable structure, handling paperwork, building a solid team, and setting realistic expectations, you’ll lay the foundation for a successful entrepreneurial journey. Keep in mind that patience, persistence, and adaptability will be your most valuable allies in this exciting venture.