Before you Say, “I Do.”
There is something you need to know before you propose, before making the investment, before hanging the sign, and before you start the company. Like marriage, small businesses are like a marriage. No one enters the venture expecting it to fail. Yet, a large percentage of small businesses fail. According to the Small Business Administration (SBA), 30% of startups fail within their first two years. This rises to 50% within three years. If you do the math, you will find that small businesses have a shocking 80 percent failure rate within five years. Although the odds are against you, our business model is focused on helping small businesses grow. You must understand the causes of business failure and how to avoid them.
Failure to succeed in small businesses is akin to a divorced couple. Failure to follow in their small business ventures is often a result of factors beyond their control. They blame the economy, their partners, and their employees for the downfall of their business ventures. The root cause of problems can often be insufficient capital, poor business acumen, or inadequate resources. These issues, without exception, are ultimately the small business owner’s responsibility.
Lacking Business Acumen
It can take time to transition from employee to small business owner. Your skills as an employee may be completely different from what you need to run the business. Many owners have expertise in areas other than accounting and law. Refrain from assuming you can open a business and have clients or patients come to your door. You need experience and skill to grow your business. Find the areas where you need more expertise and find partners, professionals, or employees who can fill them in.
Inadequate Resource
Relationships are essential for small business owners. Relationships are the foundation of a strong foundation. However, there need to be more compatible teams to lead to adequate resources. How can you use the help of your team to balance your strengths and weaknesses? Many new business owners try to do everything themselves. This strategy might work well in a small business, but there are better options for someone who wants to work for themselves. It could be a better strategy to run a large company. It would help if you had the right team and the right advisors. To increase your chances of success, you need to know where to look to find the resources that best suit your business. This doesn’t mean you must consult your best friend or hire a former coworker. You should not limit your search to family and friends. The best criterion for deciding is not to look at the lowest price. You get what you pay. Your future will be marked by success or dissolution if you can find and use the best resources.
Insufficient capital
Money issues are the number one reason marriages fail. Small businesses are no exception. Your ability to access capital when starting your business is crucial. Your available capital means the sum of all your cash, trade credit, and lines of credit. Most startups find that the cost of starting a business is more important than income. This exception applies to businesses that provide income from day one.
Uncertainty about the distinction between personal and business expenses is one of the biggest and most prevalent problems. Keep your personal and professional life separate from the business. Avoid withdrawing cash from your business accounts to meet a private shortfall. Although the business should generate income, avoiding excessive emotional withdrawals that cause undue hardship is important. It would help if you planned escapes sufficient to meet your household’s needs. Then, stick to your plan.
To succeed in business, you have to be accountable to your family, employees, and clients. Your business must grow alongside you. As a small business owner, you will have greater success chances if you make the same vows as newlyweds and stick to them through thick and thin. Refrain from being distracted by the latest and greatest. Failure is not an option if you are focused and committed to your business.
