Career Development Blog

Starting your Own Business or Consulting

Tips for Starting your own Business or Consulting

Have an idea in mind (A vision)

Pick something you love to do and are passionate about

Look at a hobby which you love and turn it into a business

Look at something you are very good at

Start part -time

Create solid business plan

                Have a roadmap of where you are going

                Put dollars and cents down in that roadmap

                Write down the smallest and specific expenses you’ll need for starting your business

                Be very clear about where you are going

Network, Network, Network (talk with everyone in your field or area of interest)

                Consult with others who are in the field

How did they get started? How successful are they?  What challenges and road blocks they faced? What do they recommend you do to get started? Advice from experts is powerful.

Go to meetings, conferences & seminars in your field

Go to your local chamber of commerce, city, town, or community governments for assistance and advice

                Connect with local colleges and universities for assistance

                Use the resources that are out there for small businesses

Tell people what you are doing

Certainly keep your trade secrets and ideas to yourself,

But, Let people know about your idea – give them a general overview of your business idea and plan (You never know who might know someone and/or can connect you with someone in the field)

Other people can help you craft and sharpen your ideas

Promote yourself – Never be afraid to “toot your own horn” No one else is going to promote you at first, so it is up to you! Get the word out about yourself!

Create a website – While this can be expensive at first, the rewards are invaluable – it is critical in today’s technology to be connected via the Web.

Read and get as much information about your idea, business, and area of interest

                Read books, articles, the Web & websites, newspapers, periodicals, Blogs, e-mails, etc. 

Any information related to what you are doing is important – also other business publications are important too. It is important to be well rounded and well versed in a varied of topics.

Organize & be organized

Again have a business plan to help you organize your pathway to where you are going to

 achieving your goals

Utilize some time management and project management tools

Step out of your discipline or comfort zone

Take a Risk – Go for It!

Trust your “instincts” and your “gut”

Do not be afraid to ask for help

Listen to your customer s/clients

Budgeting

                Have saving s, saved up

                Health care

                Supplies & Resources

                Insurance, LLC, legal advice in your respect field

                Being on your own and/or having your own business will costs a lot at first (and on going)

Change and change management

                Adapt to change your business

                You will have to change constantly

                What you originally started, will surely change dramatically

                Be open to new ideas, feedback from other, and modifying and changing your plan

Remember, life is short, so go for it and live your dream!