How do I start my own business?
Deciding to start your own business can feel like a leap of faith but being prepared for the steps you will need to take can alleviate this lack of confidence.
With a wave of young people aspiring to become entrepreneurs, along with individuals with established careers deciding to go it alone, many people may be evaluating a start-up.
So, what do you need to know before starting your own business?
Before even consolidating the business idea, it is important to recognise your motivations behind starting your own business – as it is not without its challenges!
The next step is to build upon the business idea, which will cover what good or service you will provide and who the target market is.
Once the idea is established, it is time to….
Research
You should research similar goods or services that are being offered to see if your business would fill a gap in that market, and to get a clear idea of the competitors.
Undoubtedly, the question of how you will finance your business idea will cross your mind, however before applying for funding you must have a thorough business plan in place – especially if you seek external investment.
This business plan should compile all the aforementioned research in order to inform decisions such as which Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) you should monitor and growth aspirations.
With the funding dilemma, it may be useful to have an advisor on hand, such as an accountant, to explore your options.
Some of the potential funding opportunities could include:
- Self-funding (should it be available)
- Taking out a bank loan – bear in mind that your credit rating will be used to inform this decision
- Government grants – for some ventures, there could be funding available from the Government, particularly with the focus on the Levelling Up scheme
- Equity investments – these can be from people you know, crowdfunding platforms or angel investors
Contact our expert team today for our specialised business startup services
