3 tips to help start a business

March 11, 2015

There are a million and one reasons to start your own business: you crave independence, you want to be the master of your own destiny, you want to make a difference. Many entrepreneurs will tell you that as hard as creating a startup might be, it is equally rewarding.

If you are considering starting your own company, here are a few tips to help you out:

Don’t ignore good ideas: Brushing off great ideas must be a part of human nature considering how often people do it. Whether you think someone must have already created a business based on the idea you just had or you figure it’s just too hard to pull off, never just shrug and move on with your day. The truth is that there aren’t very many original visions out there. The difference between your idea and Joe Schmo’s is that Joe Schmo decided to do something about it. You can’t be successful if you don’t give yourself the time of day. Next time you have an aha moment write your idea down and start planning.

Register and incorporate: Good ideas becomes great businesses when you make things official. Register your company with the local secretary of state as soon as possible. This involves paying a fee based on your location, deciding what kind of business entity you want to create and choosing a name. This is also a good time to make your company a corporation. There are many benefits of incorporating, particularly the protection against personal liability.

Get advice: Going it alone can be tough in any line of work. Entrepreneurs often depend on the expertise of those who have come before them. Business advice services and mentors can help lead you through the process of opening your own company.