Starting Your Own Business – Top Tips for Taking the Plunge

Starting Your Own Business – Top Tips for Taking the Plunge

If your 9 to 5 job is taking its toll, if you have a bright business idea that just won’t go away, or if you’ve got to the top of your tree and you’re ready to do it alone, then it’s time to take stock and see what’s holding you back.

Here are some top tips, gathered from our Anytime Offices start-ups, entrepreneurs and business executives that have taken the plunge to go it alone, to help guide you:
Be Honest: Ask yourself, ‘What’s holding me back?’ Change can be scary. Listen to your inner voice. Are you self-sabotaging your future success by imagining failure? Is it fear talking, or can you replace the fear with a sense of freedom? By envisioning a positive outcome from your solo endeavour, you can start to see a clear pathway forward, rather than being stuck in negative self-talk that will hold you back from exploring your full potential.
Be Resourceful – money will always be required when setting up a business. Just how much depends upon the type of business you are planning. If you are in a service industry or consulting, the start-up costs may be minimal, as you are selling yourself. If however, you are looking to set up in manufacturing or retail, then additional costs and resources will be required. Make a financial plan and allow some leeway so you have serviced office Sydney room to move. If you need help, then it’s worth investigating financial management courses (there are plenty of great courses for small business owners/start-ups). Have a look on-line, check out your local college or community centre (who may run evening courses). Also, pay a visit to your bank manager. You may be eligible for a grant or small business loan. If you make a solid financial plan before you take the plunge, you are starting from a strong place which will give you confidence and a sense of security as you plot your pathway to success.

Be Flexible – If you are used to working in a big organisation, then the resources you relied on so often will not be there when you go it alone. You may find yourself photocopying, fixing the printer, buying the stationery supplies or making the coffee. Be prepared to rely on yourself or, if this is eating into your time, then outsource. Finding reliable suppliers can be one of the smartest things any start-up can do, to ensure you spend your valuable time doing what you are being paid to do, not scattering precious hours on administrative tasks. This is how you can work towards growing your business for the future.

Be Resourceful – money will always be required when setting up a business. Just how much depends upon the type of business you are planning. If you are in a service industry or consulting, the start-up costs may be minimal, as you are selling yourself. If however, you are looking to set up in manufacturing or retail, then additional costs and resources will be required. Make a financial plan and allow some leeway so you have room to move. If you need help, then it’s worth investigating financial management courses (there are plenty of great courses for small business owners/start-ups). Have a look on-line, check out your local college or community centre (who may run evening courses). Also, pay a visit to your bank manager. You may be eligible for a grant or small business loan. If you make a solid financial plan before you take the plunge, you are starting from a strong place which will give you confidence and a sense of security as you plot your pathway to success.

Home or Office based – these days, you can work from anywhere – with a laptop and mobile phone you can be in touch with your clients or customers 24/7. Yet not everyone can work from home. There can be distractions from family members and domestic duties that can all too easily interrupt the work flow. Sometimes, having a virtual office or hot desk to fly in and out of when you need to work quietly, or need a meeting room, may be a great solution. There are a wide variety of flexible office solutions available for some very reasonable prices, so shop around and find what suits you – it may give you the space and sanity you need to help you concentrate on growing your business. There may also be networking opportunities that can help you connect with like-minded organisations and people – very useful when you are starting out.
For further information on virtual offices, hot desking or for a flexible office solution, contact us
on: 02 8378 9100; info@anytimeoffices.com.au