10 Things to Lookout for When Starting a Small Business | After how rough the past year was, many are now considering opening their own business just to secure a stable source of income or to supplement their existing source. Times are, however, tough for small businesses as they face challenges from a struggling economy. To be honest, starting a business is not the hard part, the challenge comes when you try to maintain one.
From hiring the right people, building a brand, developing a customer base, managing money, and many other challenges. Listed below are some of the challenges and how to overcome them.
1. Planning
You can have the best idea for a business ever thought of and you cannot wait to share your idea with the world. However, turning that idea into a working business will take some planning, dedication, and focus.
Write down your vision in black and white. Create an in-depth and thoughtful plan that can be pitched to potential partners. Writing down a business plan keeps your goals clear and helps keep you in check during the opening process. You can measure your progress by looking at how far you are from where your goal is. Keep your goals reasonable and clear. Since you cannot plan for everything, your plan should be flexible to allow for the unexpected while keeping the goal still in the clear.
2. Financing
The costs associated with starting and running a business have been on the rise even as profits have also been rising. This has made starting a business a daunting task. From paying for utilities, equipment, rent, and pay for your initial staff, the costs can stack up rather high.
Small business owners are perceived by banks as too risky, which prevents them from obtaining credit; however, there are trusted, certified lenders that enable you to apply for a small business loan, such as Kapitus.
Many turn to friends and family for loans and alternative funding loans such as crowdfunding or sponsorship. These alternative avenues can make a huge difference and allow you to start your business. You should, however, be aware of what involvement these alternatives will require of you, some may want a large cut of your profits while others may want to be part of the decision-making process.
Make sure you are aware of all the options available, including online business loans so that you start on the right foot.
3. Hiring good help
The staff you have can make or break your business. You must be absolutely certain the people you have are the best you can get. Set high standards in your want ads to weed out the unqualified ones. If you are vague with the ads, a large number of unqualified applicants will turn up, making the process of hiring difficult and long.
You have to balance the talent with the position while being aware that your budget also has a say in the quality of talent you can hire.
4. Stay committed
The startup process is intense, time-consuming, frustrating, and sometimes stressful. Be certain you have the mental and emotional support you need. Be it loved ones or paid professionals, have someone you can express your frustrations and stresses to.
Without this support, you are likely to lose steam and run out of motivation long before the business can be self-sustaining.
5. Time management
Finding time to work on specific factors can be difficult as you find two or more things that need your attention. This can make it very difficult to get things done.
For this issue, plan meticulously with your goals for the day, week, month, and year in mind. Assign simple tasks to people you trust to be fast and efficient. Dependable employees will do their best to not make the same mistakes twice. The more employees you can get to help with tasks around the business, the more efficient you will be in the long run.
6. Budgeting
Mismanaging the budget is a common mistake made by new businesses. You may be in a situation where you receive more than enough money but it never seems to be enough.
Layout a list of priorities ahead of time and stick to it. You do not have to buy that coffee maker or ergonomic stand-up desk right away, plan for them in the future after you have broken even and taken your first paycheck.
7. The learning curve
It is likely that you do not have all the necessary knowledge to not make mistakes. This is especially true if it is your first foray into the world of entrepreneurship.
There is no solution to this; you just have to be aware that you will make mistakes as part of the learning process. These mistakes or failures may even help inform you so you make the right decisions in future hurdles.
8. Balance your work and personal life
More often than not, new entrepreneurs will prioritize their new business over everything else in their life. It cannot be this for too long as this may lead to serious issues developing in your personal relationships. Your loved ones may understand your focus being on the business for some time but no one can stay on the back burner for long before they start looking for an exit.
Remember to balance everything in life. The business should be an important part of your life but it cannot be the only thing you think about. It is also not healthy for your state of mind to only have the business on your mind. You may start to sacrifice your health, eating irregularly and sleeping less. These may even lead to hospitalization which will definitely cause your business to suffer.
Remember you do not have to do everything yourself, delegate those things that do not require your expertise and those that are outside of it.
9. Customers
Identify who your customers are, then target those who value what you are offering and are willing to pay for it. Find those customers who will take it upon themselves to share your name and product with everyone.
To achieve this, your product must be of the highest quality and delivered in a timely fashion.
10. Competition
It is unlikely you will start a business that is unique and has no competition. You will have to deal with your competition.
Some established businesses will be welcoming, appreciating new faces in the market, and willing to help you grow in the industry. Others will try to stomp you out as soon as you start. Do not think you will know which is which at the beginning. Just learn from them and improve on what they are doing right.
Wrapping up
In conclusion
These are not the only challenges you will face while starting a new business. Be prepared for any situation you might find yourself in, embrace them and overcome them.
If you learn, keep fighting, and keep growing, you may just end up becoming the business person you keep dreaming about.
