It has been said that a journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step, but if that first step is headed in the wrong direction, things often become very complicated!
This is especially true when starting a business because not everyone starts from the same place. Depending on what stage you are at, here are some suggested starting points.
This is where most things start — first comes a notion or an idea. This sparks a desire, and before long, the dream of owning a business begins to take shape. It all seems exciting, but you have no real sense of what’s ahead.
You’ve decided to start a business. You’ve got an idea, and you are thinking, “If others can do it, why not me?” You think you are living the dream, hoping everything will work out. However, you still don’t know what you’re getting into.
You've started a business, but everything suddenly seems chaotic. Advice is everywhere, often contradictory. The internet is full of hype. You’re unsure whether to push forward or pull back. Be aware that people on the internet are good at telling you what you want to hear.
You’re somehow managing to cope, but it’s draining your energy. Time disappears, stress builds. This is not what you expected. You know you need help, but you think that asking for help is a weakness, and so you carry on expecting things to improve.
Business seems to be going well — better than expected. Money is coming in, and you become complacent. That's when mistakes start to happen, and they are usually very expensive. Success can blindside you if you’re not prepared.
You’ve been running your business for a while. It works — but it’s stuck. Growth has stalled. You know something needs to change, but you have no idea what needs to be fixed, and so you play it safe and do nothing.