Your Start-Up Ingredients

Current statistics (from Direct Line in 2020) show that the UK is now home to millions of ‘redundantpreneurs’, people who took being laid off work as an opportunity to start up their own business rather than find another job.  

This is in addition to a surge in recent years of start-ups and entrepreneurial spirit here, so now is an apt time to share the (lets-not-keep-this-a-secret) recipe for becoming a successful start-up.  

If you want to still be in business by the end of 2021, read on…  

Start up Ingredients to always have in your cupboard: 

• Determination (the ability to keep persisting when the going gets tough)  
• Desire to put the work in (to do what it takes) 
• Ability to ask for help (as you will not be able to do this alone)  

Recipe for your business start-up to be running successfully:

• Business planning and strategy 
• Be part of a team 
• Take action 
• Reflect and track results 

Business planning and strategy 

These words can sound scary for many self-employed people, especially at the start-up phase. It’s usually avoided like the plague due to lack of clarity. No clarity around systems, platforms, ideal clients, service offering, sales process and so on. As a business coach the biggest problem I see is: too many business owners expecting results to come without having a clear idea of the desired outcome. Therefore, the output they achieve is sporadic, marketing is ad hoc; only done when the ‘must–do’ marketing feeling comes to the forefront. Small business marketing is executed out of guilt and a feeling of necessity rather than desire and clarity of outcome.  

Spending time at the start of your business and month will reward you with hours and days of clarity, focus, purpose, and direction. This in turn brings quality clients, feelings of self-worth, motivation, return on your investment. It’s priceless. 

Be Part of a Team 

I did it all on my own. No successful business ever said that! There are too many different hats to wear, the learning curve too steep and the world of running your own business so very dissimilar to anything you’ve ever done before. Coming out of a corporate job or even working in small business before. There is nothing like being self-employed and working each day to earn your own money. Don’t think you have to do this on your own. Reach out to others, find your people, look for those who have already trodden the paths you want to go down. Work with a business coach, someone who will guide you through starting up with proven strategies so you can achieve profitability and balance. 

It takes time and effort to build a business to be proud of, one that inspires and motivates you, so surround yourself with a team of cheerleaders.  

Take Action   

Entrepreneurs and business owners are renowned for having a lot of ideas. It’s the ability to select the best ideas, take action on them and follow through to completion – that is one of the key ingredients for success. Having a business coach or someone in your ‘team’ to help you work through the best solution, the one/s that is most aligned with your purpose and help you achieve your plans in the most effective way.  

Reflect and Track Results 

We learn best from our mistakes right? As small business owners we are never going to get everything right first time and each time you do XYZ it will become easier. This all happens more easily when we take time out to reflect on what was good, bad and ugly! Many business owners are posting on social channels, sending out newsletters, creating and delivering marketing campaigns, but are the missing the final, and you could say the most important part – not tracking results.  

Meaning many are giving up on business development and marketing activities that are so close to becoming a successful idea or winning system for bringing in new business… 

If you’re not sure quite where to start, book in for a free 1-hour business kickstart session and get some clarity, focus and direction for the best next steps in your business.