4: Starting a Business
In this episode, we talk about starting a business! We felt like this was a logical next episode for us since it is so fresh in our minds having just started this business. Like we mentioned before, we both own businesses that launched in 2023 and have taken slightly different paths with those.
Carly started her business with a jump in and figure it out as you go mindset. She built out her client base through connections and networking. She got in touch with previous employers and asked if they needed help and wanted to contract to her or had connections who need help. She has since established a healthy balance between retainer clients and new projects or continuous projects. All her marketing efforts have been through networking and word-of-mouth, which has worked for her.
Kelly started with a more conservative mindset, setting out all her plans, goals, offerings, and making sure everything was buttoned up first. Then she joined a business group where she met potential clients and learned what she could about the business world. She has since started networking and joining more groups in order to get the word out about her services.
We wanted to share steps to help you get started on your business, lots of these happen in tandem, but for the sake of creating a guide, we have listed them as steps here! Please reach out with questions, we’re here for you!
STEPS:
Fill a need / what do you love doing?
What is the business?
What gap to you fill?
Who is your target market?
NICHE down, get specific with who you want to market to!
Name it!
Brainstorm names, come up with a few, do lots of searching to make sure the name isn’t in use.
Once you settle on it, register it with the county and/or state depending on entity type.
Trademark it! (we know people who can help with this process if you are looking for resources)
Business Entity
Sole proprietor
LLC
Corporation
Licenses & Permits
Business License
Resale License
Home Office Permit
Do you need any special permits? (alcohol sales, construction, etc.)
Insurance
Create your plan
Mission
Vision
Business Strategy Plan
Market strategy
Build your brand
Logo
Colors
Fonts
Guidelines
Website
Social
Email
Funding
You’ll need your business plan to secure funding.
Are you going to banks? Private Investment Corps?
Build Your Team
If necessary, build out the people you need with you!
Double Check!
Make sure everything is operational, manageable, and ready to go!
Market it!
Tell everyone you know
Is there a budget for ads?
How are you getting the word out?
Monitor your marketing so you know what works and doesn’t work.
Review as necessary
It’s ok to pivot, change, adjust, rebrand, when needed.
Remember to play to your strengths and find something that lights you up!
Start in March.
Start in your 40s.
Start on Friday.
Start at 2:34 pm.
Start on the 22nd.
Start late.
Start.
Download our PDF checklist!
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