Data shared from Small Business Trends shows that only 40% of startups make a profit, over half of all new businesses operate at a loss, according to statistics on Review42. Anyone can call themselves a business owner as long as they are advertising and selling legitimate products. However, setting up a successful business entails planning, complying with a series of regulations, and making financial decisions. As an entrepreneur, you must have a strong desire to innovate products and services that meet market demand. You’ll also need to understand how to create the perfect startup business in your industry, and most importantly, you must be resilient. Whether you intend to start a business in the tech or manufacturing industry, below are three essentials for running a successful startup.
Create Products People Will Buy
The key to establishing a successful business is creating quality products and services that provide solutions to your customers’ needs. So, before anything, ask yourself if the products you’re offering are must-haves. You want to make sure your target consumers will pay for your products and remain loyal to your brand. With this in mind, conduct market research carefully to get clear insights into customer needs, existing competition, trends, and expected market growth.
Don’t Overlook Business Registration
The process of registering a business isn’t as complex as it may sound. Depending on the nature of your venture, it could be as easy as registering your company name with state authorities. To make your business a legal entity, determine its structure. Is it a limited liability company (LLC), sole proprietorship, partnership, or non-profit corporation? If you decide to register your company as a limited liability company, make sure you understand the requirements of starting an LLC. Contrary to popular belief, establishing an LLC is cheap and easy. You only need to determine your business location, name your business, get an EIN, create an open agreement, and open a business bank account.
Set Business Profitability Goals
Remember, if you want to succeed in business, you need to make enough money to sustain daily operations and turn sales into profits that can be re-invested for growth. Therefore, calculate how much profit your business should bring in on a monthly or quarterly basis. There are several costs you’ll need to consider when setting your business profitability goals. Make sure to add capital, production costs, sourcing, and hiring expenses. And then set income goals, expense control strategies, set KPIs, and ensure your business systems work together.
Starting a business from scratch isn’t a straightforward process, but startups can be lucrative if done right. If you’re an aspiring business owner, there are several dos and don’t of setting up a business. These essentials include innovating products that meet customer demands, setting profitability and revenue goals, and business registration.
