It’s exciting – making the decision to finally start a business. It’s worthy of celebration and anticipation. It’s risky, yes, but that’s part of the thrill and payoff of owning your own business. But where do you start? Obviously, it’s impossible to know everything there is to know about business until you get going and start getting your hands dirty.
Here are three quick, but important things to remember when you’re starting a small business:
- Do what you know – what are you passionate about? Think about the things that if you were involved in every day, you’d still enjoy.
- Stick to your plan – write out a business plan (5-6 pages). It will help provide clarity and a roadmap of where you want to take your business. The plan should include:
- who you’re going to sell to
- what they’re going to pay for your product/service
- how your plan and company is unique
- how you’re going to reach your customers
- how you will turn a profit
- Be accessible – in order to build your business, you’re going to have to be available to the audience you’re selling to. The more options of payment you give your customers, the more customers you’ll have. Are you going to accept credit cards? Give them access to your products when they want it through an online store. In order to do this, you’ll need to apply for a merchant account with a trusted merchant service provider.
