Owning and running your own business is a dream that is held by lots of people, but if finances and funds are low, is it still possible to start a business? The answer is yes, it is. With some creative thinking and forward planning, you can start a new business on even the tiniest of budgets. Of course, there will be sacrifices that need to be made to get you off the ground and up and running, but once you are off the ground, you can then get growing and developing at your own pace.
Starting Small Or Micro And Then Growing
Starting small does not mean you have to stay small. Just because your business startup is small or micro, it does not mean that things must stay this way. In fact, it is quite the opposite. Getting your business running and earning cash is the most important thing, and once you are earning and the cash is flowing, it is important to start focusing on growth. As a smaller and younger business, you can focus on getting to know your target market at a more personal level and can ensure that you provide a valuable product or service to them, which is important if you still want to be in business a couple of years down the line.
Establishing Your Funding Options
If you want a bit of funding to help you get off the starting block, then there are ways you can access funding for your business, from taking out a business loan to seeking backing from local investors and business leaders. Your personal financial state and credit rating might affect how much you can borrow and from where, so it is important to factor in your financial history when it comes to borrowing from traditional sources.
Seek Alternative Financing
Of course, traditional funding is not the only way you can go. You can look at peer-to-peer lending, or you can look at seeking investment from family, friends, and other backers who may well be interested in investing in your business in return for a stake or share of your business. When looking at alternative financing methods, you should think about what you are prepared to give to investors in return for cash. If you are not happy with giving up a share or stake of your new business, then do not do it as you will struggle to get this percentage back at a later date should you want to.
Getting Together A Plan
A plan for your startup is important, especially when funds are tight and undoubtedly stretched to the maximum. Knowing where you will spend money and on what is essential. It is important to plan out what you want to do within your business within the next 1 – 2 years, and it is important to be as in-depth as possible. For example, your plan should cover your first 12 months in business, it should cover how much you must spend and what you want to spend your money on. It should also cover what you expect to get for your money in terms of return on investment.
Utilizing Outsourcing
As a new small business, you do not need staff for every department, and when funds are tight, you need to ensure that you account for every cent where possible. Utilizing and incorporating outsourcing is important for your business as it allows you to ensure you still receive high-quality services without having to have permanent employees on your payroll. The good news is that you can outsource virtually every area or service within your business, from web support and development to customer service and support. One service you may wish to outsource is Human Resources, or HR for short, you may be thinking what is hr outsourcing, and in a nutshell, it is taking advantage of a business or company that handles everything from payroll and recruitment to employment contracts and performance management. As it can be expensive to hire specialists such as A Human Resources Manager or A Customer Service Manager, the benefits and pros of outsourcing always outweigh any cons.
Skills Swop
Utilizing the skills of others can help you get your business up and running at an even more cost effective price than you previously thought. Taking advantage of university students, graduates, and those on work advantage can allow you to fill the skills gaps within your business. Of course, there is nothing stopping you from offering your skills to other (non-competitive) businesses in return for some of their expertise too. Non-competing businesses can boost each other and raise their profiles in the process, too, which is beneficial to any business, so what is there to lose?
Using Freelancers
If you know what skills you need and when, then you can plan to use freelancers. Utilizing freelancers can ensure that you get the services you need when you need them and all without the need to make a longstanding or long-term commitment. Freelancers are often readily available, meaning that you can use them easily and quickly when getting your business off the ground and even when pushing your business forward through a period of growth and change.
Knowing What Your Goals And Aims Are
Starting a business on a small budget means that you need to focus and target what you want to achieve and why. If you do not have goals and aims clearly laid out from the start, then you will find that you quickly deplete your funds and delay the start-up of your new venture. Try to focus on setting one or two realistic and achievable goals and aims. For example, aim to get 100 customers within your first six months of trading, and have a goal of turning over a profit within your first year. Having goals, targets, and aims to refer to will ensure that your business stays on track and on course for success in the present and far into the future.
