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Starting your own business may sound like a great idea, who doesn’t want to be their own boss? However, there is a lot of planning that needs to go into it before you jump in full force. Read on for some solid advice about what everyone needs to do before creating their own company.
Ask Yourself Why
The very first thing that you need to do before actually forming a business is to ask yourself exactly why you want to do so. While there are no wrong answers, there are definitely answers that are stronger than others. For instance, if you are just sick of your current job, starting a new business is like using a hand grenade to get rid of mosquitoes. It may do the trick but it’s a bit excessive. On the other hand, if you have had a lifelong dream of having your own company or you see a niche market that can be serviced, you’re already headed in the right direction.
Shore Up Your Finances
Most people have debt hanging over their heads or may not have perfect credit. This is something that needs to be taken care of before approaching a bank for a business loan. While you may not think that your personal finances have any bearing on your potential business credit, nothing could be further from the truth. If you have things like maxed-out credit cards or past-due student loans, it definitely reflects poorly on you in the eyes of financial institutions. Get a personal loan from a private lender that offers low interest loans and get everything you possibly can paid off in full.
Know Your Industry
If you have never worked in a restaurant, it does not make much sense to try and open one. Stick with an industry that you know and that you have experience in. Remember, there is really no such thing as a business in a box. Many people think that this is what a franchise is, but they are sadly mistaken in this regard.
Know The Market
Perform due diligence and investigate the market into which you are getting. How crowded is it? Who is your competition? What trends are currently and have historically affected the market? Who will be your target customers and how will you attract them? These are actually all questions that a bank will ask you as well before lending any money to your business.
Branding Your Business
The next step is to come up with a memorable name and a distinctive logo for your business. You will want to take your time doing this as it will be the first thing a customer or potential customer sees of your business. Make sure that you will be able to secure a URL address that matches your business name. If, for some reason, you cannot match it exactly, get as close as you possibly can. Do this before you register an official name in case you have to tweak it somewhat to match your website address.
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