Sometimes the job search doesn't go as we plan, sometimes we wish we could just switch careers, and sometimes we wish we could be our own boss. If you are part of the 80 percent of individuals who have thought about starting their own business, you can actually make it happen. Yes, it might be hard getting started, but on the other hand there is a chance that it could also be easy. If having your own business is the path you want to take, it is definitely achievable.
When toying with the idea of starting your own business, I'm sure many questions come to mind. Maybe you're thinking: Where do I start? Where will I get the money? How will I promote? What should my business even be? These are all practical and legitimate questions, but they should not stop you from achieving our dream of opening up a business of your own.
If you have no clue what your business should be, or where to get started, try following these steps:
1) Write: The very first thing you need to do is figure out who you are. Once you know who you are,then you can decide what you want to do. One of the best ways to figure out who you really are is to write. Write out a resume to see what skills you have and see if anything points towards a business that you can own. If that doesn't help, take a piece of paper and write down five things you are good at. Underneath, write 5 things you love to do. Once you have both lists, see where there is an overlap. Take those overlaps and ask yourself if anyone would be willing to pay you to do those things.
For example, let's say you're good at playing basketball and it is also something you want to do. You know how to coach and love the game. So, ask yourself would people pay you for lessons or maybe to start up your own club team? If you have the skills and the passion. Go for it!
2) Read: Once you have some idea of the skills and passions that overlap, and someone would pay you for, start to get some information on running your own business. To get started, there are many useful websites that you can find online for free. Reading articles on starting up your own business will give you some valuable insight and help you determine if it is actually something you would like to do.
Some helpful websites include:
Free Agent Nation
Workforce
Small Business Administration
3) Explore: Unfortunately, a lot of start off companies do not end up making it. To avoid this happening to you, interview others who are in a similar line of business. When you explore you should:
Determine the experience, skills, and knowledge needed for your business to work.
Determine the experience, skills, and knowledge that you have.
Hire someone who has the skills that you lack, but are needed.
For example, every business needs someone to do the accounting work, but you don't have the slightest clue as to how to correctly make a balance sheet. So, you can either find a friend who is willing to help you, or hire an accountant for your business.
If you have a spouse or partner, it is very important to remember to ask them for feedback. Find out what their opinion is and how they feel about the sacrifices that will need to be made in order to make your business idea succeed.
If starting a business is your dream, and you have the skills to make it happen, you should take the leap. Just remember that starting a business is always going to be risky, but evaluating yourself and talking to others should help you determine if the choice is right for you. It might come easy, or you might struggle, so you should have a plan B and always know where you are going!
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