Taking the Plunge, Get your Business Started

Sleeping, eating, and watching tv are not only things we do everyday but they are things we do easily everyday.  Why?  Because we know how to do it and for the most part we like to do it.  But what about things you want to do, but don’t know how to do it or are affraid to start, e.g. starting your own business.  During these times you have to hunker down and take the plung to start your business.  Easier said then done, I agree.  Well let us help you out.  Here are a few easy, quick, and important steps to help you get started.

1. Get the idea

Yes this is obvious but most people dismiss it because it is way to obivous.  More often than not, people think they have an idea but in reality it’s only half an idea.  So sit down and write your idea on paper and describe it in a paragraph.  You’re not writing a business plan, just write your idea down and read it to yourself.  It’s more like an elevator pitch.   One of two things will happen.  One, it’ll sound good and you’ll start to write more details potentially writing a loose first draft of your business plan.  Two, the idea doesn’t make sense and you’ll have to revise the idea until it makes sense.  Either way it’ll help you recognize what you are really trying to do.   See, now you have offically started working on your new business.

2. Make a quick plan

Funny how we are talking about a plan to make a plan.  Well plans are very important and generally I believe that there are never too many plans (until your plans take more time than your buisness).  Again with your pen and paper or computer write down a very very simple plan.  Start with the obivous and most important things you’ll need to start a business.  Once you have that, you can put them in order of importance.

Here’s a quick sample list:

• Where are you going to get the product that you are going to sell?
• How are people going to hear about the business?
• What things do you need help with?
• Who can help you?

Some people can start a business by the seat of their pants but taking a few minutes for planning can definitely save you some time in the future and prevent you from making some costly mistakes.  Besides there will be plenty of things that come up when starting a new business where you’ll have to wing it.  Let’s just try to wing it less than more.

3. Make a budget

Ever hear the saying, “It takes money to make money.”  Well it does, and no matter how large or small the investment is, you should get a sense of how much it’s going to cost.  How much advertising and marketing will cost? How much the overhead costs will be (office, phone, internet, staff, etc)?  How much the product will cost?  These numbers can be simple estimations or guesses, because they are only meant to give you a high level overview.  This is also a great time to also figure out how much you are going to charge.  Hopefully your numbers will show that over the long run you’ll make more than you’ll spend.

With these three simple steps completed, you now have an overview of your business and have taken the plunge.  You can now dig deeper in the start up process by figuring out the details of the three items you’ve just completed.  It’s that simple and the more you do it, the more you build your business, and the easier it gets.  So go do it!

Keep in mind these steps are only some of the steps necessary in starting a business.  There is much more to it than what I’ve shown you above, but what is important is once you get going you’ll build momentum and that’ll help you get to your goal of starting a business.  It’s similar to going to the gym for the first time and after you start running it’s much easier to continue.   So take the plunge into your own business and get things started.  Remember your business won’t start if it’s stuck in your head.