Seven tips for first-time business owners

Here are seven tips that you can use to assist you out of a tight spot and get your business back on track.

Are you considering opening your own business? Are you prepared to face every challenge that comes your way? Many new business owners expect that their plan will run the way it is intended to. However, when it comes time to execute, problems arrive that test the mettle of the entrepreneur. Some of these issues are insignificant, while others can threaten the livelihood of what you are trying to build.

If you do not have access to a mentor that can help guide you through your predicament, here are seven tips that you can use to assist you out of a tight spot and get your business back on track.

#1 Do what you know and love

Companies built around an entrepreneur’s interests and passions have a greater chance of succeeding. If you are thinking about going into business purely for the monetary reward, then you might want to review your plan and ask yourself if you are making a sound decision. Potential profit margins and the prospect of substantial rewards may cloud your judgment and skew your decision making. It’s important that you choose to go into business in an industry that you can feel comfortable working in every day. The grind embraces those who love it, so make sure that you follow your passion and not just the money.

#2 It’s all about focus

New business owners are filled with enthusiasm and keen to take advantage of any potential opportunities that come their way. While this behavior is commendable, it will cause more problems than opportunity. As a new business owner, you need laser focus. Stick to your plan and your niche, disregarding any other potential ‘golden goose’ deals that you think could be profitable. Your venture requires your undivided attention and every time you take your eye off of the ball; you risk putting your business in jeopardy.

#3 Create an elevator pitch

Can you present your business concept in less than two minutes? An elevator pitch is a sales presentation that is short and concise. The elevator pitch should include your mission, goals, and consumer benefits. Remember to include a close at the end of the pitch geared toward the type of person you are pitching. Create the first draft of your elevator pitch, present it to your friends and family members, and ask them for their feedback. You should continually refine your pitch until you can pitch your business and the potential opportunities it offers in as few words as possible.

#4 Stay healthy

New business owners are enthusiastic and usually, want to see their business succeed in as little time as possible. This sense of commitment often leads them to an unhealthy lifestyle. With less time to spend on important things such as food and rest. Fast food and long nights filled with stress are commonplace for a budding entrepreneur. While this passion is commendable, it will ruin your health. A successful businessman stays healthy. If you analyze the lifestyle of the world’s most successful business people, the majority of them place a tremendous value on their health, so you should too.

#5 Learn under pressure

Being a business owner means that you need to prepare for any eventuality. An entrepreneur needs to make decisions quickly and navigate the business climate being flexible to change in an instant. No amount of theoretical learning can replace experience gained in the marketplace. To simplify your business operations and free your time, delegate as much as you can. There are many business services available to assist you. Everything from accountants to Transcription services can be outsourced to give you more time to focus on other areas of the firm that need your attention.

#6 Don’t rely on funding

If you plan solely on money to become a going concern, then you might want to rework your plan. Finding funding is possibly the most challenging part of building a new business, and many investors will turn down new entrepreneurs and their dreams in favor of those with more business experience.

#7 When it’s over it’s over

Letting go of a failing venture can be the most emotionally defeating event in an entrepreneur’s life. However, sometimes you just have to let go to be able to see the path ahead. The most important thing to do in a failing business is let go and then become unstuck from the situation as soon as possible. The faster the transition into a new opportunity, the better the chance of finding success. Failure is inevitable, but the next business could be the one that finally brings you success, keep on trying.

Ben Lobel

Ben Lobel

Ben Lobel was the editor of SmallBusiness.co.uk from 2010 to 2018. He specialises in writing for start-up and scale-up companies in the areas of finance, marketing and HR.

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Starting a New Business

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