How Do I Start a Business in 2022?

In these very strange, uncertain times, you might have taken a look at the direction of your life and thought about a change.  If you’re reading this post, it’s most likely because those thoughts have led you to thinking about starting your own business.

How do I start a business?

Good question!  The simplest answer is just to get started.

Unless it is for Health and Safety or Qualification requirements, there is no legal requirement that you need to adhere to when starting a business, so it’s really just a matter of taking the first step (which is actually the hardest part of the whole journey!).

But to help with the overwhelm that comes with being a business owner, I’ve put together a list of steps to take to get started:

1. Clarify your vision

What’s the dream?  What sort of life are you aiming for and when will you feel like you’ve reached the end?  Will it be being able to provide for your family, or running a thriving business in multiple locations with a number of staff working for you?  Or is it that your business will be working for you while you are dong other things (this actually can be done!)?

Make sure you also mix some of your reality in with that vision too.  What do you realistically need to be earning to cover your household/family costs?  Growing a business takes a lot of time, energy and resources; it won’t happen overnight.  How much time do you have to commit to it each day?

Setting some goals alongside your vision is important to you don’t get overwhelmed and start to give up when everything you have hoped for seems so far away.

2. Gather resource or make sure you have access to them

If you will be building a product-based business, having access to the products or the raw materials before you start is really important.  Firstly, so that you can actually fill orders once you get them, and second, so you can decide on your prices from the beginning.

3. Start using social media

Even if you’re not the most social-savvy person, or you are not present on social media much yourself, the reality is that the easiest way to find new customers for your business is through social channels, which are changing and expanding all the time.  This might include Facebook, Instagram, Telegram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Youtube, and Tik Tok.

Many people will pay someone else to manage their social media for them, but at the very beginning of starting your business, you might find that it’s an expense you don’t need, and it is cheaper to do it yourself.

I know can be an area that seems completely overwhelming, but marketing yourself and your business on social media is one of the best ways to really understand your customers and get feedback from them.  Don’t worry though, I’ve got you covered.  I have a little community where I share bi-weekly social media tips and tricks to get you started and on a roll!

4. Get a bank account

It’s really important to keep business finances separate to your personal ones, so it’s best to start out where you mean to end up and have a bank account specifically for your business.  The easiest option is to open an additional personal bank account, however a business bank account would be most appropriate.

That’s it.

It really doesn’t take much to start a business.

There are no legal ‘business’ requirements to get started, so unless there are health and safety or qualification requirements, getting started is as easy as taking the leap to do it!  It’s best to start with a vision, access to products/resources, a social media presence and a bank account.

For more small business tips and tricks, get my bi-weekly BIZTIPS email here.

I can’t wait to see your business flourish!