I constantly realize that there are things that I would have liked to know before. Owning a small business is a challenge, but there are six tips that will make the road easier. But wait, before we proceed, here are free business tools that can help you grow along the way.
1. Follow your passion and do not let it go. Your business probably came out of something you're passionate about, but over time, the day-to-day business will make it harder to keep that passion alive. Feed it every day by reminding you why you started it. Make sure you fall in love with a problem, not the solution. If the first measure does not work, remember what you are passionate about to find another solution for your client.
2. Money is king. Having a business is an art and a science. Art is your passion. Science is your business model . Make sure you understand your business model, it is not something that you can pass on to someone else. Knowing when money enters and leaves is essential for success. If you know how the business works, you can celebrate your success or plan to get more money.
3. Hire intelligently.
Hiring a team is exciting, but it's scary. Take your time to choose the right people for the job. Fire them fast if they do not do things right. As the owner of a small business, you can do anything, but you can not do everything! The people you hire should love what you hate doing so you can focus on your dream and evangelize your passion.
4. Communicate with your partners.
This is a great way to attract complementary talent to grow the business, but together, as in a marriage, it is critical that you know how to communicate your values and expectations.
Create a " prenuptial agreement " for the business. As in any relationship, have appointments at night and remember why they started that business together in the first place. You can use this opportunity to brainstorm or discuss problems in a less stressful way.
5. Protect yourself from the unexpected. Think about the obstacles you can go through. Expect the best, but be prepared for those trips. It is normal for things to happen that you can not control. Do what you can to protect yourself. Apply systems and processes in your business so you can have vacations or time with your children. Make sure things do not get out of control if you are not present. Respect yourself enough to make sure you can take care of yourself out of business.
6. The responsibility is yours but ... You do not have to do it alone! As a boss, it can be solitary to make all the decisions. Ask for help . Not everyone has the courage to start a business, but most people will want to help you. Learn from other entrepreneurs. Those with some years of experience can give you very good advice. Someone who has just started can give you energy and creative ideas. The best advice I have received is from other entrepreneurs.
Angelina is a renowned writer at Buzzfed, TheOmion etc