Top tips for starting your own business

by Startacus Admin

Despite the economic uncertainty stemming from the 2008 recession, many people are choosing to forgo their 9-5 office job and start investing their time in something they feel passionate about by starting their own business.

Aside from enjoying the numerous benefits of being their own boss, there are numerous reasons people are choosing to become an SME owner. In a recent survey by Conference Genie, 34% of those who took part said that it was their lifelong ambition to start their own business, with 21% saying it allowed them to spend more time with their children.

All in the concept

While the very idea of starting your own business can be very exciting, the overall concept of your business idea has to be financially sound enough that it will generate a sufficient amount of income. Once you have an idea that you feel passionate about, it’s generally recommended to research the marketplace.

Of those SME professionals and owners taking part in the survey, many said they wish they’d spent more time researching the market and creating business plans before they opened for business.

Funding your SME

Once you’ve got your great idea and have committed to the prospect of running your own business, you need to look at what funding is available. Nearly all businesses require start-up income to get off the ground, and it is commonplace for businesses to be in debt during their first few years.

While there are other means of financial support available, many SME professionals and owners do not feel that they are a dependable choice. In the survey, only 15% felt that government was providing adequate support, whereas 44% disagreed that this was the case.

Recruiting a business partner

It might be tempting to go it alone, but working with partners that have the relevant skills or, better yet, skills that are different to your own, will really boost your prospects. In addition, working with more than one person in your team means you can not only share your expertise, but share the responsibilities, and therefore personal risk.

When it comes to working with others, many SME owners and professionals taking part in the survey said that they felt they should have found collaborative partners as soon as possible or hired experts or more qualified people to work with them.  

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Published on: 21st April 2014