We all like to dream – of creating an impact in some way, of writing a book, of doing a Ted talk to a captive audience… Starting a business is something that can allow you to do all those things, and it’s becoming ever more appealing to ever more people. There are more and more reasons why you should start a business. I’m sure you’ve come across plenty of your colleagues and acquaintances talking about their ambitions to start a business, or maybe complaining about the entrepreneur who came on Dragon’s Den and presented the same business that they had thought of first (but done nothing about).
But why should you do anything about it now? Why not wait until you’ve got that promotion or salary increase, had your next baby, or [fill in the blank here with your reason for putting things off]? When you’re thinking about starting a business: why should you get started now?
Why you should start a business
1. There have never been more opportunities for starting a business – and getting the help you need to do so
There are more opportunities than ever to work flexibly and remotely, with employers becoming more willing to create that flexibility for you. This makes it possible to make your current role work better for you, on the one hand, by working from home some days or shifting your hours, while allowing you to take on new projects with other clients and companies on the other.
There are also so many tools and resources available now to start and grow your platform without a massive budget. You can very quickly put up a simple website and start marketing your services with an article on LinkedIn, a Facebook Live or an Instagram page where you showcase your talents. Digital technology has levelled the playing field and massively reduced barriers to entry.
Finally, there is more information and support available than ever – in the form of online courses, business coaches and programmes, freelancers – to help you do it!
2. It takes time to build a business so you’ll want to start sooner rather than later
It may seem obvious, but unfortunately a lot of ‘wantrepreneurs’ forget this simple fact: you can’t just decide to sell one day and expect people to buy from you. You first need to build an audience that knows who you are, cares about what you do, and eventually feels compelled to buy.
Building this audience will take time. It takes time, first, to find your voice; it takes time to refine your message and offering based on what resonates; and it takes time to attract people to that message and grow the audience to a big enough size where you’ll start to see substantial and consistent sales.
So even if you don’t feel ready today, you don’t want to wait until you do! Far better to get started now so that you’re ahead of the game when you do decide to go all in.
3. It allows you to bring your whole self to the table
Putting aside the overuse of the word ‘authentic’, the truth is that businesses are rewarded these days for being just that. People want to buy from real people, they want to see your passion as well as your imperfections, and they like to support someone who they feel that they know and trust.
Apart from the fact that this means that you’ll do well as you’re starting your business just being yourself, it also means that you’ll benefit from a personal perspective. A lot of people feel that they can’t be themselves in the office, they’re playing a role to fit into the corporate culture where they work. Starting your own business gives you a playing field where you can bring your whole self, no filters.
If nothing else, the process of stepping out of your comfort zone, getting creative and experimenting with your business ideas will bring new experiences and connections that can open the doors to all kinds of unexpected opportunities, whatever happens with this first business idea that you have.
So get started, keep going… and see where it takes you!
If you’re committed to starting a business and want to explore how I might be able to help you, get in touch to book a free consultation call: Book a call >>
