Archive for Startups

Working for Yourself vs. Working for Someone Else

December 7, 2011 Bill No comments

In troubled economic times many people wonder if starting a business is their best option for financial freedom. As the job market remains rocky and unpredictable at best many people believe that a personal business is the best option to creating financial and personal freedom and success. While there are some wonderful positives to owning a business there are also downfalls that many new business owners do not consider before taking on the venture.

Starting your own business has a number of benefits that you likely will not find in your average work-for-hire position. As the owner of your own business you have complete creative freedom over the project and can take it in any direction that you see fit. In addition you are also afforded the luxury of being your own boss and making the decisions that could lead to great financial success. Running and maintaining your own business also allows you to use your full set of skills and knowledge, rather than being pigeonholed into a position with a limited scope of responsibility.

While owning your own business does offer a number of wonderful benefits there are negatives to the career choice as well. The full weight of the responsibility falls on the business owner and long hours, difficult decisions and the stress of managing a team of employees can weigh heavily on the business owner. Work-for-hire positions, in some cases, offer more benefits than business ownership. As an employee of an established company you are not forced to make difficult decisions. Your hours are set and you are not asked to deal with the plethora of behind-the-scenes management that must go on in order to ensure a business is successful. You can also move freely from position to position if a more enticing work offer comes along. When you own your own business you are tied to the business and ensuring it is successful.

There benefits and pitfalls to any working situations. Owning your own business or working for an establish company both offer pros and cons that must be considered before making a final decision. At the end of the day it all comes down to what kind of personality you have and what would make you, as a worker, happiest.

Corporate, Startups

How To Start Your Own Business

November 2, 2011 Bill No comments

Starting a business requires a good plan and some organization. The business will also require some start-up capital that will enable it get on its feet and avoid debts or other hazards. Before the business starts, a brain storming session should be undertaken to determine the type of business that can be started. The choice of the business will depend on the skills, training and knowledge of the business owner in terms of profession as well as the chances of success and a need in the market.

A feasibility study should be conducted as well as a basic market research. These studies will provide important information regarding the viability of the business in a particular location. The feasibility study will also indicate whether the intended business and its products are in great demand and have a ready market. A feasibility study can involve the community and certain specific questions can be asked to gauge the need for certain services or items that are to be provided by the business.

When starting a business, it is important to identify a suitable location where the official business will be headquartered and have an office. This might necessitate the need to rent out office space or a commercial store for purposes of conducting the business. These will depend on the amount of funds available as well as the requirements necessary to conduct the business, such as special tools, equipment or basic office supplies.

The business owner should determine what business it is they want to engage in. Will they produce goods, manufacture items or provide a service? Is the business owner knowledgeable in regards to this matter or are there partners that will provide the expertise? Having answers to these questions is important, especially for planning purposes. If there is a shortage of funds or simple out of a need to reduce expenditure and overheads, a home office may be used or garage. The home office will still need to be official, with a proper office set up away from noise, kids, and pets.

A new business that needs funding or capital can consider several sources, such as personal savings, loans from friends or financial institutions and maybe even start-up capital from venture capital lenders. There are a number of great sources for venture capital though this is only made available to those with unique, exciting ideas.

Good book keeping, accounting, re-investing in the business and a strict work ethic will all be necessary ingredients for the business in its early years. A lot of discipline will need to be applied. Working long hours may be necessary on some occasions though care should be taken to prevent against an earl burn out.

 

Business Notes, Startups