If you’ve mustered the courage and done the research to start your own business, pat yourself on the back. However, if you decide to jump in head first without doing research or taking the right steps, you may regret the decision before it even gets off the ground. But fear not! Every day, people are following their passions and dreams with lucrative results. These people examine their choices from all angles before going in blind—something we can all learn from. Keep these 6 details in mind before making the decision to start your own business.
- Challenges Arise
Starting out isn’t always easy. Emotional and financial challenges may surprise you throughout the first few months, even years. Learn to be patient and keep moving forward to build your company and your brand. It is easier said than done, but there is hope. Jim Wang from Wallet Hacks suggests finding other business owners you can talk to, preferably in a variety of businesses. Join a community or build one of your own. It’ll help your sanity in ways you can’t imagine. If nothing else, find at least one person in a similar situation who you can talk to.
- Loneliness Can Creep In
If you are a solo entrepreneur, chances are you may get lonely. That is not say you’ll stay lonely, but the atmosphere of an office environment changes—to an office-of-one at first. Working alone has its perks, but isolating yourself by working at home all the time is not good for you either. Even going out to a coffee shop to work for an hour is a nice change of scenery and allows you to immerse yourself into your community. Also, try calling a previous coworker or friend to talk through an idea if you decide you need input. You’ll realize you’re not the first one to take these steps and you’ll find valuable support.
- Patience is Key
As you build your company and brand, remember that growth increases with time. In fact, growth may not be linear or appear as you imagined it. If you persist in doing the right things at the right times to make your company successful, the numbers will speak for themselves. The key to success is patience. Wang reminds us that, once you realize life isn’t this smooth curve that goes up and to the right, you give yourself permission to not freak out when it doesn’t go your way. You take that bias out of your thinking and you will stop beating yourself up because you didn’t make progress. Progress is messy—especially when you look at the numbers in hindsight.
- Clients Are Earned
Your Clients Won’t Be Your Family and Friends. Though your family and friends will always support you and your business, they usually do so from a distance. Wang says, your friends and family will want to support you, even financially as customers, but don’t count on them day-in and day-out. It’s not that they don’t love you or support you, it’s that they have lives as well and their job isn’t to keep you in business. Don’t expect them to be the ones to help make your company grow. Create a business that thrives through new connections, not just your family and friends.
- Passion Prevails
Your company should be fueled by your passion. Before taking the jump, you need to feel that burning drive; the conviction that what you’re doing makes you happy and excited to wake up every day and go to work. Passion is everything, because without it, this is just another job where you’re miserable. When your passion also brings success, you’ve struck gold. Give the idea everything you have and nurture it until you see opportunity emerge around it.
- Safety Nets Are Okay
It may appear that you’re working without a net when you start a business, but that’s not always the case. This safety net refers to going back to work if needed. It’s not your ideal choice, but it’s always there, says Wang. Your friends and family will always be there for you too. Even if they aren’t your customers, they can offer emotion and even financial support. Still, don’t be afraid to take calculated, researched risks and leave your comfort zone.
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References: https://wallethacks.com/10-things-wish-knew-started-business/
