For several years, you were content to work for someone else. The pay, benefits, and other perks made it worth it. Lately, you’re feeling as if something is missing. That something may be the fact that you want to open a small business of your own.
Why would you want to do that? Why give up on what you’ve always known to pursue something that may or may not turn out to be great? If you need some reasons, consider each of the following. One or more of them may apply in your case.
Putting Your Experience to Work For You
Over time, you’ve amassed quite a bit of experience to go along with your training and education. That’s a combination with the potential to do much more than you have done up to this point. Even though you may be making good money and be comfortable, taking all that you’ve learned and know, and applying it to your business operation, could take things to the next level.
Remember that your experience includes more than what you’ve learned about how to manage different aspects of a business operation. From your observations, a lot has been learned about pitfalls to avoid and strategies that are highly likely to fail. That information gives you a leg up in terms of not making some of the mistakes that you’ve seen others make.
Creating Opportunities Where None Exist
You may have fallen into the mindset that you could never step out and find a job that’s as good as what you have now. Perhaps you’ve been convinced that you’re lucky to have a job at all, much less one with such great perks. Maybe you look around and see there aren’t many jobs in your line of work at all.
Does that mean you have to stay where you are?
The skills that you’ve developed likely translate into other fields with relative ease. You’ve just been brainwashed to think that’s not possible. There may be a real need in the local area for some type of different industry to address real needs and wants in the local community. That under-served market combined with what you have to offer could be the impetus for cultivating an opportunity where none currently exists.
At some point, an enterprising individual figured out there was a market for delivering takeout food from local restaurants. Someone had the wonderful idea of offering auto repairs at the client’s location rather than at a local shop. Still, others figured out that they could offer yoga classes via video conferencing rather than requiring everyone to show up at a studio.
The point is that your skill set is more versatile than you may think. If there’s something that your community could use that no one else is doing, consider how your abilities could be used to meet that need. What you identify could be the basis for your own small business.
Building a Business Around What You’re Passionate About
We all want to make money and have financial security. That’s one of the reasons why we work. For some, it’s the primary reason. That’s often the case when there’s not any real joy or passion for the work done, other than possibly enjoying the relationships established with co-workers.
If you’re not feeling content with earning money and getting along with those who work for the same company, it may be time to think about starting your own business. This go round, it’s not only the money that matters: it’s the personal fulfillment that comes with the new small business.
Consider the hobbies, interests, and concerns that capture your attention and create passion within you. Perhaps you’ve long supported a particular cause that resonates with you. Could it be that starting a non-profit organization that supports the cause would be right for you? Maybe you have a hobby that could be converted into a business that supplies goods others would want to buy. If so, that could be your focus.
Income addresses your practical needs and wants. Doing something that you are passionate about feeds other parts of your life. Combining both into a viable business means having a quality of inner and outer life that’s more than anything you’ve experienced up to this point.
Feeling in Control of Your Destiny
One of the great things about owning a small business is the level of control that you possess. No one has to be consulted before you make a decision. At no point do you have to seek permission to approve a contract, select a vendor, or even schedule a dental appointment. You are the decision maker. As such, you get to control your destiny on a day-to-day basis.
This is often true when you opt for a franchise rather than starting a company from scratch. While you do have obligations to the franchisor, those are spelled out. In return, you get access to resources that help you grow your business. There’s still control over how fast it grows, how you organize each day, and how things are done within the operation.
As much freedom as some employers have allowed you, those past settings don’t compare to the flexibility that comes with owning your own small business. If you’re ready to claim that freedom while also being mindful of your responsibilities as the owner, it’s time to make a move.
Building An Asset To Sell Later
Your plan could be to start a small business and remain in control of it until the day you die. Others may envision opening and running a small business for a decade or so, then selling it at a profit. Maybe you want to run the business until retiring and sell it for a hefty profit.
All of these are viable options. Since you’re the one who decides what you want to get from this experience set any goal that you like. Doing so will play into the choices you make along the way since they’re made with your end-game in mind.
Don’t forget that your final goal can be flexible. If the original plan was to sell the business after ten years but you love what you’re doing, hang on to the company for a while longer. It’s always up to you.
Or to Pass On to Loved Ones
There’s something else that you may want to do with that small business. Maybe you want to create something that remains with those you love once you’re gone. It could become a family business that provides career options for your children and grandchildren. In this way, you continue to provide for and give them motivation even after you’re no longer around.
This type of legacy can have lasting benefits for generations. In the more immediate future, there’s the chance for the kids to start work with an entry-level position, learn the business from the inside out, and gradually move up as they demonstrate proficiency and competency in specific areas. This type of security could mean the world to your loved ones and provide you with a strong sense of accomplishment.
More Control Over Your Time
No doubt starting a local business of any type will initially demand a great deal of time as well as major effort on your part. Be prepared for long hours and have to make some sacrifices to get the operation off the ground. There will be nights when it’s early morning when you finally get to bed. Even then, you may be up as the sun rises.
As the business begins to generate returns and all the basics are in place, you will be able to command more control over your schedule. That means it won’t be an issue to take the afternoon off to attend your son’s Little League game or to plan a weekend camping trip with friends. You’ll look at your schedule, and arrange tasks so you can block out time to do the things you want and have the best of both worlds. As noted previously, you can do this without seeking permission from anyone.
And the Size of Your Operation
Not everyone wants to operate a multinational corporation. Some like the idea of a business that fills a need in a relatively small setting. You may decide to create a business that’s perfect for your city or town, or a defined geographic area. If your business will be Internet-based, you may focus the efforts within a certain industry niche while entertaining clients from across the nation. The latter has certainly been among the best type of business to start in pandemic times.
In any event, you decide if the company will remain small and somewhat intimate or become something larger that might attract attention from major players in the future. It’s all about what you want to receive from creating and running the business.
As you can see, there are all sorts of reasons for starting a home-based business or possibly one that serves a need in the local community. Take stock of your education, skills, experience, and expertise today. Determine how well your present work situation is helping you achieve your life’s goals. If the way things stand today isn’t enough, starting a business of your own could be the next logical step.
Nick-Anthony Zamucen” is the Founder of Best Option Restoration (B.O.R.), Bio-One Inc., Saint Home Care, and Uncle Vito’s Pizzeria’s, all extremely successful franchised systems. For more tips and information get in touch with Nick here