Source: www.business2community.com
I jumped into the world of entrepreneurship a few years back, and it’s certainly been an interesting ride. Don’t let anyone fool you — business ownership requires a lot of hard work. No matter what you do, you’re going to make mistakes in the beginning. However, once you get all the wrinkles ironed out, the benefits of self-employment are numerous.
In order to help you along your way, here are five typical mistakes entrepreneurs make, as well as some suggestions on how to avoid them:
1. Not doing enough research
One of the worst mistakes you can make as a first-time entrepreneur is not researching the industry or niche you want to penetrate. With the Internet, you have a world of resources at your fingertips, so take advantage of it. Several pieces of information you should keep an eye out for include current demand, competition, average startup costs, and when you can expect to become profitable. I conducted thorough research, and therefore went into business with my eyes wide open.
2. Not saving money.
If saving money is not at the top of your list, sustaining your business over many years will be incredibly difficult. First, create a simple budget by recording all fixed and variable monthly expenses, as well as an estimate for monthly income. This can give you a rough idea of how much money you have to spend — and if you realize you are spending more than you are earning, you’ll know it’s time to cut back. In order to cut costs or reduce expenses, consider purchasing used equipment to outfit your office. Turn down your office heat or air conditioning, and make sure you are not wasting any energy. And if you are spending a fortune on advertising, consider implementing free social media campaigns instead. Many business fail due to money woes, so doing whatever you can in advance to prevent these troubles is key.
