There are many reasons you might be considering starting your own business. It could be that you have an idea that you just need to get out into the world, it might be that you want a new challenge, or perhaps you want the flexibility and freedom that working for yourself, over an employee, brings. No matter what the reason behind it is, if this is your year to become an entrepreneur, you need to go into it with the right mindset. While there are many things you do know about starting a company from what you’ve heard from others, or doing research, there are also plenty of things people don’t tell you about starting a business that can really help you if you are aware. In this article we take a look at what 7 of these things are.

 ​​Photo by RDNE Stock project: https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-sitting-at-desk-in-office-talking-on-phone-10376033/ 

It’s a lot about who you know

While business is a lot about what you know, it is also really reliant on who you know. Don’t ever be afraid to utilize the connections that you have, perhaps it’s a colleague you worked with in the past, a friend of a friend who already has their foot in the door, or even a connection on Linkedin that you have already. Connections are extremely useful for getting you into places that you wouldn’t be able to otherwise, setting up meetings, or just giving you advice and tips that are extremely valuable for you when you are starting up or growing your company. 

You need to have a water tight plan in place before you start

Before you start a business, you need to  have a water tight plan in place. If you have a physical company, you need to make sure you not only have a product to sell, but have thought about the whole timeline from conception to delivery. Find out about companies like J&J global fulfilment who can deliver orders worldwide, combining expert handling, fast dispatch and visibility across every channel. They can also connect your sales ecosystem and sort everything in the process of your marketplace channel, from storage to shipping and returns. It’s having a water tight plan of every single step in the process that can ensure your customers are happy. Many people just think of getting the product made and not about how it will physically get to their customers, especially when it comes to things like scaling up.

Your online presence is super important

No one tells you just how much your online presence matters when starting a business. It’s not just about having a website, it’s about how that website looks, how fast it loads and how clearly it communicates what you do. The same goes for social media. Customers will check your Instagram before they check your credentials. They’ll read reviews before they read your About page. Your digital footprint builds trust long before someone enquires or makes a purchase. Investing time (and often money) into a professional, consistent and engaging online presence is super important if you want to get ahead of the game.

You will never stop thinking about your business

Having a normal job with set hours means you can (usually) shut your laptop or close the door at your finishing time and put it down. When you have your own business however, it never stops. You will be thinking about it in the evening before you go to sleep, in the morning when you wake up, and when you are going about your day to day life. You’ll be looking for inspiration (without even realizing) everywhere you go, while you are scrolling social media and have a constant tally of orders and cashflow in your mind. Even when things are going well, you’ll be planning your next move! It can be quite exhausting, particularly in the beginning, but you will soon get used to it and it’s a sign you’re really passionate about what it is that you are doing. Accepting you won’t ever be able to truly switch off is part of the journey and not a bad thing, but do make a conscious effort to switch off for your mental health when you can. 

You will hear the word no more times than you can count

Rejection is an unavoidable part of building something from scratch. Pitches will be ignored. Emails won’t get replies. Opportunities you felt certain about won’t materialise. At first, every “no” can feel personal, but over time you realise it’s simply part of the process. Often it’s about timing, budgets or priorities, not your ability. Each rejection refines your approach, sharpens your offer and builds thicker skin. The people who succeed aren’t the ones who never hear no, they’re the ones who keep going anyway and don’t let it stop them hitting their goals.

You will question why you did it 100x a day (but you wouldn’t want to do anything else either) 

There will be moments (sometimes multiple times a day) when you wonder why you ever thought starting a business was a good idea. Financial pressure, uncertainty,y and responsibility can feel overwhelming. You’ll compare yourself to others and question whether you’re cut out for it. But then something clicks: a new client signs, a customer sends a kind message or you see your idea coming to life. And you remember exactly why you started. The stress is real, but so is the pride. Despite the challenges, the freedom and fulfilment make it impossible to imagine doing anything else.

These are just a few things people don’t tell you about starting a business but when you are in the thick of it, it can really help to look back on. There are many ups and downs of having your own company, but you will come out of it with much better resilience, sense of worth and knowing that you can achieve anything you put your mind to. What are some top tips you have for anyone looking to start a company? Let us know in the comments below.

If you have always dreamt of being able to start your own business then you will know how exciting the prospect is. With that in mind, you do need to make sure that you don’t delay too much, because if you do then you may find that you end up never pursuing your dreams, and this is the last thing you want.

The Power of Tech

Technology is changing the way we do things, quite rapidly. The integration of tech has helped to open up a lot of new avenues for business owners. This is especially the case when you look at communication. Cloud-based CRMs such as Salesforce and even Amazon give you the chance to manage your data, your team and even your customers. You can do all of this without needing to pay for expensive or bulky software. Creating websites has also become way easier. Now you can drag and drop to create a stunning portal for your business, without any coding knowledge. If you feel as though you can benefit from things like this with your business, then now is the time for you to take that next step.

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It’s Simply The Right Time

Starting a business requires a great deal of time. If you feel as though you have the time to invest in your idea, or if you feel as though you have the potential to take your idea to that next level because of where you are in your life right now then you should start the ball rolling. Taking advantage of any gaps in the market is also important. If you notice that there are a lot of opportunities available or if you feel as though there is a need that isn’t being met, then this is a clear sign that you are ready.

Innovation

Change, at times, can be a dangerous thing. At the same time, it is also the best way to force innovation. Customers today are now more open than ever to new ideas.  If you feel as though you have something new to bring to the table or if you feel as though you have the right business attitude then this is a clear sign that you are ready.

Experience

Are you highly experienced in a particular field? If so then this is another clear indicator that now is the time for you to spread your wings. It may be that you have extensive knowledge as a dentist about estelite composite or that you can get administrative jobs done faster than anyone else because you have developed shortcuts over the years. Either way, it doesn’t matter what experience you have because if you are ahead of the competition or if you feel as though you can push ahead and stand out from the crowd then now is the right time for you to seize the moment. If you do then you will soon find that you can rocket your potential for success, while building a solid foundation for your future business.

Just take a second to step back and realize what exactly, starting a business really means. Practically, you’re beginning infrastructures that will either belong to you, or paid for by you. Real physical things like a commercial office, a building, a car park for employees, the brick and mortar store, everything you work with day in and day out is yours. You’ll also be working with or hiring other businesses, such as distributors, transport logistics, trucks, cargo planes etc. Your financial future is therefore tied to what you have created. It’s not like you can just do 8 hours a day and then go home. Business owners have to make their business their lifestyle. Hiring people, taking on the responsibility of following workers rights and also paying your staff on time and in full. You’re also going to be ruthlessly competing with other businesses. There is no hugging and kissing here, you’re trying to take the other business out everyday. So is the fear of starting your own business legitimate?

Do you want control?

Perhaps the number one reason people start their own business is because they want to work for themselves not somebody else. In the beginning they very naively think that the boss is just lounging around, reaping the benefits of their hard work. So they say they’ll work for themselves so they can keep the rewards. However soon you’ll realize that being the boss is the hardest job to do in a business. You’re responsible for everything. The leader doesn’t get to have normal 8 hour shifts, they have to be constantly by their phone ready to handle any problem. But if you do want more control over your financial and professional life, then starting a business really is a responsibility you must be ready to take on. Don’t think of the money you’ll make, ask yourself whether or not you’re ready to be held accountable for other people?

A lack of knowledge

The lack of knowledge to begin a business is also right up there in the top reasons why people don’t start their own business. Well, listening to people who were just like you but did make that first leap is incredibly helpful. Learning from their mistakes so you don’t have to, increases your knowledge without any risk at all. For example on this business podcast, they speak to regular people who have become entrepreneurs and small business owners. Unlike other podcasts that just care about the big names, this is a type of podcast where up and coming business owners talk about their personal experiences. Everything from people management, industry cultures, legal pitfalls and budget building blocks is discussed. 

Being a name

Sometimes people just don’t want their name hitched to a business because they are in fear their public reputation might be diminished should they fail. However, you don’t need to make it public knowledge of who owns the business, you can create a name and identity that is nothing like your own.

People do have legitimate fears of starting a business, but the modern day tools at your disposal make taking on the responsibility much easier than ever before.