You have the idea; the inspiration; the entrepreneurial drive to make it happen. You’re sure that you’ve got the perfect business idea, that it’s viable, and that it could be genuinely transformative to your life… but still, you hesitate when it comes to actually starting a business.
If the above sounds familiar, then it may be reassuring to know that you are not alone. Entrepreneurship is incredibly exciting and enthralling, and it genuinely can change your life for the better, but it’s also a huge step into the unknown. As a result, you may find that your mind argues back against the idea, and tells you that, yes, you could start a business… but.
If you want to push past the “buts” and embrace all of the possibilities starting a business can offer you, then you may be in need of reassurance. Below, we have put together a list of the most common “buts” that people experience – along with their solutions.
“But… I don’t really know what I’m doing.”
In many ways, the above “but” is a good one: it’s a sign that you are realistic in your business approach, and that you know even the best of ideas are far from infallible. However, this “but” can truly limit your potential, and mean that your business idea forever remains little more than an idea.
If you want to overcome this “but”, then the best answer is education. There are thousands of online guides and videos that focus on various aspects of running a business, so a quick Google or YouTube search will stand you in good stead. Education, combined with your beneficial sense of caution, could well mean that you are an excellent entrepreneur in the making.
“But… I don’t know enough about technology.”
The modern business world is inherently technical, and if you fear your IT or web design skills aren’t what they should be, this alone can seem like a significant barrier to achieving your entrepreneurial dreams.
While education is a potential solution for this issue, IT systems and website design are in-depth subjects that require a huge amount of time to become proficient in. Instead, you may be best creating a business plan that relies on IT management from the likes of Capstone IT or budgets for the use of a professional web designer. By outsourcing these tech-related areas, you can focus on what you do know and where you know you excel.
“But… I’m not sure I can juggle a business with my day job.”
There are two ways to start a business; quit your job and go all-in, or run a business alongside your day job until it is viable. The first option is inherently risky, and there’s no denying that you may struggle to manage the tasks of launching a business alongside your usual working life.
The solution here is to ask yourself what your priority is. If you are financially secure, then leaving your job to focus full-time on your business may be a suitable choice; a financial or business advisor may assist you further in this decision. If you do need to continue your day job, then it’s researching tips for managing this scenario to see if it may be a feasible choice for you. Many people do work alongside running a business, and with good time management, you could do the same.
In conclusion
Without a doubt, starting a business is one of the most exciting things you will ever do – but it can also be the most challenging. If you are confident in your business idea and just need to jump those final “but” hurdles, then hopefully the tips above will allow you to finally take the leap and go into business for yourself.
