When you are starting, you have to start somewhere. Most people start small and build big, writes Martin Brennan.
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” Lao Tzu
What a relevant quotation to kick off a guide to starting a business. It has never been as easy to make a living from what you are passionate about, but the thought of starting can seem a thousand miles away.
Not everyone can make a living from what they enjoy. However, many others can. It is advisable to use a stepped approach when starting a new business. Once your bills and other financial commitments are covered each month (by your day job), you may feel the need to explore your passion.
Here are some ways you can explore your dream before you commit to jumping in full-time.
Start small
It’s the obvious first step. Starting out you don’t have to have a 100% complete service or product, all you have to do is make a start.
There are some ways to test your products, goods or service. Friends, family and work colleges are usually a business’s first customers. If you are in the food or crafts sectors, popular options include local markets. These are an excellent way to test your goods. See this site for your nearest market.
DOWNLOAD: A free business model canvas – the first step to business planning.
Concentrate on one thing at a time
A big mistake many startups make is that the more they talk and the more they dream, the more ideas they have. Anyone can have ideas. It’s starting one, just one, that matters.
Start selling what you make or offer on a part-time basis. It is important to concentrate on just one thing at a time and not to get ahead of yourself. Doing too much too quickly can have
