An entrepreneur is normally driven by the desire to become his/her own boss, especially if one is tired of having to work for someone else, by starting their own businesses. As much as this decision can make your life feel like a roller-coaster, start-ups are not always as easy as they may seem. Basically, there are many things that you need to consider to better your chances of surviving the tough global economic period that has been characterized by a myriad of start-up failures within the first three years.
If you would like to find yourself in the right path, there are so many things to research before starting a business; some are practical, aesthetic, esoteric, and in most cases some are rules and regulations. Nevertheless, here is a list of some things you need to research in order to get your business off to a flying start.
1. Type of company
There are different types of companies with different legal and financial structures to consider, and it’s very interesting to know that each type could be the right structure for you. Ideally, the type of company you’ll choose will greatly impact on and how much financial and legal responsibility is laid at your door. Therefore, it is indeed necessary to carry out a thorough research on them. For instance, do you want to be a sole trader, be in a partnership or set up a limited company? It is quite evident the each choice will be governed by certain financial or legal requirements.
2. Employees
When it comes to starting your own business, you need to establish if you’ll need employees from the first day or sometime in the future as the business grows. Essentially, choosing to employ someone is one of the biggest commitments, and hence you don’t have to jump into it blindly, be clear before making any appointments. However, a good number of entrepreneurs find it easier to start alone to avoid needless paperwork and regulations.
3. Location
You need to research on where you are going to set up your business. It might sound somewhat easy, but it’s something you need to research on adeptly in the earliest time possible as it will hugely determine your costs, marketing, and insurance plans.
4. Marketing plan
It is quite evident that most entrepreneurs don’t have a great deal of capital to spend on marketing, but is something that’s extremely indispensable because there is no point having an incredible business idea if nobody knows about it. You need to work on how to get your business name and the products and services you intend to offer to your target market in order to give your new business a better chance.
5. Licensing and legal issues
As mentioned earlier, the location of your business plays a prominent role in determining you can approach licensing and legal issues in your area. Basically, there is a host of legal obligations that you need to research on, and it is always a great idea to consult your local authority to find out whether you need special licenses for your business. Legal issues including the manner in which one can register his/her company also matter the most. Nowadays, registration of your company can be done online depending on the location of your business.
