With the rise of technology in recent years, more people than ever are finding that they can make a dream come true by creating their own business or working from home. What used to seem like a daydream is now a reality, and while it’s never easy to be an entrepreneur, there are some simple things you can do to get your idea on the fast track.
Many creative people are taking advantage of sites like Etsy and Society6, where you can host online shops filled with the things you make. Others are turning to YouTube, where they can record and upload funny videos, tutorials, or gaming streams that earn money with ads. Whether you want to turn your hobby into a career or just use it to earn a little extra cash, there are plenty of ways to go about it.
Here are a few tips on how to get started.
Know the market
Before taking the leap into a new business, it’s important to do some research and find out what the market is for your idea. Look around your community to see if something similar already exists, and if it does, how successful it is. What is their business model? Do they have a storefront? Use online tools such as social media to gain valuable insight into the small business world; eventually, you can also use it to garner followers and possible customers.
Understand the ways your business can work for you
For many entrepreneurs, starting a business isn’t just a great way to make money; it’s also a way to step back into the workforce after spending time battling an addiction or recovering from an injury/coping with a disability. Using a creative hobby to bring in income will not only allow you to be your own boss, it will act as art therapy to help you emotionally and mentally while you’re in recovery. For more information on how art therapy works hand in hand with addiction, click here.
Get your finances in order
One of the easiest ways for a small business to fail is by not having adequate funds from the get-go. It’s imperative that you sit down (preferably with an accountant) and go over your finances. Make out a list of all the things your company will need in order to be sustained for the first year and, if necessary, look for financing or investors to help you get there. You’ll need to make sure you can still pay your bills even before the money starts to come in.
Ask yourself the hard questions
It’s difficult to think about those hard questions when you’re excited about an idea, but they are absolutely necessary in the beginning. Questions such as, “Will I still enjoy this hobby when it becomes my job?” and “Is there a genuine market for my work?” will force you to get real about the business before it’s too late. For more tips on how to make sure a small business is right for you, read on here.
Manage your time
Any successful entrepreneur will tell you that it takes a lot of time and effort to make a business work, and if you have a family, another job, or other responsibilities, it may be difficult at first to find the hours you want to put into your dream. However, as with achieving any goal, it just takes some creative thinking. Rework your schedule a bit. It’s possible to make time to get things done. You can wake up earlier or learn to multitask by answering emails while you wait in line to pick up your kids from school.
Starting a business is a big job, and it can be overwhelming if you’re doing it alongside another responsibility. Ask for help and support from your friends and family and remember to take time for yourself whenever you can to avoid becoming burnt out.
