How to start a business

How to start a business??

Starting your own business on the side is one of the most powerful ways to take control of your life and make extra money month after month. But taking this leap can be scary. That’s why I’m going to show exactly how to start your own business in just 10 steps.

You can start your own business on the side with just a few hours a week and no experience—even if you have a full-time job.

And best of all, you get to choose your hours, pick projects you find exciting, and meet interesting people.

And getting started isn’t hard. You don’t need an LLC, a fancy storefront, or employees. You just need the right system.

How to Start Your Own Business in 10 Steps : 

Step 1: Do Your Research

Step 2: Make a Plan

Step 3: Plan Your Finances

Step 4: Choose a Business Structure

Step 5: Pick and Register Your Business Name

Step 6: Get Licenses and Permits

Step 7: Insure your business and investigate other requirements

Step 8: Set Up Your Business Location

Step 9: Get Your Team Ready

Step 10: Promote Your Small Business

Step 1: Do Your Research

Most likely you have already identified a business idea, so now it's time to balance it with a little reality. Does your idea have the potential to succeed? You will need to run your business idea through a validation process before you go any further.

In order for a small business to be successful, it must solve a problem, fulfill a need or offer something the market wants.

There are a number of ways you can identify this need, including research, focus groups, and even trial and error. As you explore the market, some of the questions you should answer include:

• Is there a need for your anticipated products/services?
• Who needs it?
• Are there other companies offering similar products/services now?
• What is the competition like?
• How will your business fit into the market?

Don't forget to ask yourself some questions, too, about starting a business before you take the plunge.

Step 2: Make A Plan

An important first step is preparing a business plan to define your business, products and services, and outline your goals, operating procedures and competition. If your company needs funding from a traditional loan or venture capitalists, a business plan will be required. Make sure your plan includes a marketing approach, so people are aware of what you're selling and how to find you.

1. What skills do you have?Now, what do you know and know well? These are the skills and knowledge that you have acquired.Think of it another way: We pay for expert knowledge all the time (e.g., language classes, college courses, instrument lessons). Guess what? You can be that teacher too.Examples: Fluency in a foreign language, programming knowledge, cooking skills, etc.
2. What do your friends say you’re great at?I love this question. Not only can it be a nice little ego boost — but it can also be incredibly revealing.Message your family and friends on Facebook or ask them IRL: What am I great at? The answers they give you can be turned into side business ideas.Examples: Workout routines, relationship advice, great fashion sense, etc.

Step 3: Plan Your Finances

Starting a small business doesn't have to require a lot of money, but it will involve some initial investment as well as the ability to cover ongoing expenses before you are turning a profit. Put together a spreadsheet that estimates the one-time startup costs for your business (licenses and permits, equipment, legal fees, insurance, branding, market research, inventory, trademarking, grand opening events, property leases, etc.), as well as what you anticipate you will need to keep your business running for at least 12 months (rent, utilities, marketing and advertising, production, supplies, travel expenses, employee salaries, your own salary, etc.).

Those numbers combined is the initial investment you will need.

Now that you have a rough number in mind, there are a number of ways you can fund your small business, including:

• Financing
• Small business loans
• Small business grants
• Angel investors
• Crowdfunding

You can also attempt to get your business off the ground by bootstrapping, using as little capital as necessary to start your business. You may find that a combination of the paths listed above work best. The goal here, though, is to work through the options and create a plan for setting up the capital you need to get your business off the ground..

Step 4: Choose A Business Structure

Of course, incorporating your business or forming an LLC with the state is important because it protects your personal assets from business debts and liabilities. Other benefits of forming a corporation or LLC include tax advantages and greater credibility with customers, vendors and business partners.

Your small business can be a sole proprietorship, a partnership, a limited liability company (LLC) or a corporation. The business entity you choose will impact many factors from your business name, to your liability, to how you file your taxes.

You may choose an initial business structure, and then reevaluate and change your structure as your business grows and needs change.

Depending on the complexity of your business, it may be worth investing in a consultation from an attorney or CPA to ensure you are making the right structure choice for your business.

Step 5: Pick And Register Your Business Name

Create a business logo, cards andstationery. These items establish your company’s identity and help potential customers find and remember you.

Meet legal requirements

Your business name plays a role in almost every aspect of your business, so you want it to be a good one. Make sure you think through all of the potential implications as you explore your options and choose your business name.

Once you have chosen a name for your business, you will need to check if it's trademarked or currently in use. Then, you will need to register it. A sole proprietor must register their business name with either their state or county clerk. Corporations, LLCs, or limited partnerships typically register their business name when the formation paperwork is filed.

Don't forget to register your domain nameonce you have selected your business name. Try these options if your ideal domain name is taken.

Step 6: Get Licenses And Permits

Get necessary tax identification numbers, licenses and permits. A federal tax identification number, or employer identification number (EIN), acts like a social security number and is required for corporations and LLCs that will have employees. Contact your state's taxation department to learn if a state tax identification number is required in your state. Also keep in mind that most businesses need licenses and/or permits to operate—in your city, municipality, county and/or state.

Step 7: Insure Your Businesses And Investigate Other Requirements 

 Insure your business and investigate other requirements. Some industries have specific insurance requirements. Discuss your needs with your insurance agent to get the right type and amount of insurance. Remember to look into any other government tax and insurance requirements that might apply to your business, particularly if you have employees. For example:

• Unemployment insurance
• Workers' compensation
• OSHA requirements
• Federal tax
• State and local tax
• Self-employment tax
• Payroll tax requirements (such as FICA, federal unemployment tax, and state unemployment tax)
• Sales and use tax

Prepare yourself financially

Open a business bank account. It is crucial to separate business finances from personal ones. Most banks require company details, such as formation date, business type, and owner names and addresses. If your business is not incorporated, most banks will require a DBA (doing business as or fictitious business name). Contact your bank about requirements prior to opening an account.

Arrange your business accounting and apply for loans. You may want to use an accountant, or handle finances yourself with a small business accounting solution. Either way, properly account for all business disbursements, payments received, invoices, accounts receivable/accounts payable, etc. And if you don’t have enough capital to start a business, this is also the time to seek funding from banks or through Small Business Administration (SBA) loan programs.

Establish a business line of credit. This will help reduce the number of times your company prepays for purchased products and services. It also helps establish a strong credit history, which is helpful for vendor and supplier relationships. Getting a Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) DUNS (or D-U-N-S) number for your business is advisable, as it is often used to check business creditworthiness.

Step 8: Setup Your Business Location

Setting up your place of business is important for the operation of your business, whether you will have a home office, a shared or private office space, or a retail location.

You will need to think about your location, equipment, and overall setup, and make sure your business location works for the type of business you will be doing. You will also need to consider if it makes more sense to buy or lease your commercial space.

Step 9: Get Your Team Ready

If you will be hiring employees, now is the time to start the process. Make sure you take the time to outline the positions you need to fill, and the job responsibilities that are part of each position. The Small Business Administration has an excellent guide to hiring your first employee that is useful for new small business owners.

If you are not hiring employees, but instead outsourcing work to independent contractors, now is the time to work with an attorney to get your independent contractor agreement in place and start your search.

Lastly, if you are a true solopreneur hitting the small business road alone, you may not need employees or contractors, but you will still need your own support team. This team can be comprised of a mentor, small business coach, or even your family, and serves as your go-to resource for advice, motivation and reassurance when the road gets bumpy

Step 10: Promote Your Small Business

Once your business is up and running, you need to start attracting clients and customers. You'll want to start with the basics by writing a unique selling proposition (USP) and creating a marketing plan. Then, explore as many small business marketing ideas as possible so you can decide how to promote your business most effectively.

Once you have completed these business start-up activities, you will have all of the most important bases covered. Keep in mind that success doesn't happen overnight. But use the plan you've created to consistently work on your business, and you will increase your chances of success.