First Steps for Successfully Launching a Business

Launching your own business can be an exciting but challenging time. While there is nothing more rewarding than transforming a new idea into a real company, the process requires hard work, perseverance, and strategy. If you are hoping to launch and run a business, these steps from Konsole can get you started and ensure your new start-up is positioned for success.

Write a Business Plan

A business plan is a document that defines your goals and how they can be met. While the content and structure of the strategy varies from company to company, it’s helpful to include comprehensive information on many facets of your business:

• Company overview and organizational structure
• Description of product or service
• Detailed financial plan
• Analysis of the industry and target market
• Strategies for marketing and sales
• Financial projections and success metrics

If you need help drafting a business plan, check out the many instructions online to get you started. Alternatively, if you don’t feel comfortable doing it yourself, there are online services that can develop a comprehensive proposal for you. Regardless of which route you take, Performance Magazine notes that a solid business strategy can serve as a roadmap for future decisions and strategies.

Find the Necessary Funding

In many situations, entrepreneurs don’t have the money they need to launch their companies. Luckily, there are many ways to acquire the necessary funding:

• Commercial loan through a bank
• Business loan through the government
• Business grants from the government or a private institution
• Funding from private investors
• Financial backing from crowdfunding platforms

To increase your chances for funding, present your business plan and be prepared to explain how much money you need and how the capital will be used.

Aim to Reduce Expenses

In addition to acquiring funding, you should also look for ways to reduce expenditures. While certain expenses are unavoidable, others can be reduced or eliminated with careful research and planning. For example, launching and running your company from home eliminates many of your overhead expenses and allows you to take a home-office tax deduction.

You can also save money by hiring freelance contractors rather than full-time employees to perform specific tasks, according to SmallBiz-Resources.com, such as website design, computer programming, or content creation. This allows you to steer clear of a long-term commitment, save money on overhead expenses, and avoid paying for employee benefits, such as health insurance, retirement plans, and Social Security.

Select the Best Payroll Service

If your new company has employees, you need a payroll system to track everyone’s hours, handle deductions and withholdings, calculate paycheck amounts, and complete tax paperwork. Luckily, there are online payroll services that can automate the process for you.

When searching for the right system, choose payroll software that fits the needs of your business in addition to offering enhanced features. Ideal perks include automated direct deposits, mobile accessibility, tax withholdings, benefit deductions, tax form completion, time-tracking, year-end reporting, and tax penalty protection.

File for LLC Status

Another important step is choosing a business structure and then legally registering with the government. The type of business can be a factor in determining which structure works best. Most businesses also need to get a tax ID number and file for the appropriate licenses and permits. Filing as a limited liability company is often the best choice because it provides valuable flexibility, protects your personal assets, and saves you money on your taxes by allowing you to categorize company profits as personal income. It’s also easy to find services that offer affordable online DBA registration, which allows your company to “do business as” another name. This is helpful if you can’t legally register under your ideal business name but want it to be what your company operates under.

Having a great idea is the first step to becoming an entrepreneur. Your vision can become a reality if you work hard, do your research, and take the necessary steps to successfully launch your company.


Written by: Amy Collett of bizwell.org