(A guest post from a small business who knows what they are talking about)
To start a business you don’t need big bucks
To start a business, schools, colleges and universities teach you about cash flow, budgeting and finance. Potential entrepreneurs are encouraged to compile start-up costs and for some reason it seems to be essential, but it is not.
If you believed everything they said, you would assume that some form of finance or start-up capital is needed to get a business off the ground. Thankfully this is not always true and there are many companies that have started out without banks, investors or a large amount of finance
This article is being written by such a business that had no capital outlay, a pile of overdrafts and little clue as to how to make it happen. Nevertheless, happened it has and it has worked out very well.
So, how can a business, a successful business start and grow without funding?
The answer is simple = Passion and a love for what is being done. It means getting up in the morning and just doing it come rain or shine. It sounds crazy and to some it seems risky. It is crazy, in a good way and when you put all your effort in and stick to your plan, passion soon overcomes any fears you may have.
What you choose to do and how you choose to go about it are fundamental in establishing a business without funding. I started writing and using my sales and management background to get me started. I had zero capital and debt coming out of my ears but I saw beyond this. Choosing to do something that requires little cash outlay is the key.
Service industries often require little outlay. My freelance writing business needed my computer, internet access, a phone and me. I didn’t actually need transport and I could work from my living room. My start-up costs were zero.
Sacrifices will have to be made but they pay off. Each job that comes in becomes valuable and being prudent with the income is vital. Saving a percentage of every payment is a must and being prepared to work slowly and with intention is important.
It may be that part-time work has to be found at first, or perhaps the business can start in the evenings while working full time. I had no luxury of working full time due to life changing circumstances and the chances of part-time work were slim. I found things I could use for free or at little cost, coffee shops had free internet and for the price of a bottomless coffee, I could use it. Free software, free website builders became my friends until I could afford to be more professional.
Thinking big was not on my near horizon and for any business that needs to start small and grow it should not be. However, a dream board with a big dream of success is a must. Finding like minded people, people you can work with, share with and just chill with become vital. A small network of the right people becomes the most valuable part of your new business.
To really get a business started without big bank finance it is necessary to get up and work or as Nike shout, “Just do it”. Many entrepreneurs will tell you that becoming self-employed means leaving a 40-hour week with a certain salary only to work 100 hours a week for no certainty at all. This is very true and it is not a bad thing. Passion will drive your work ethic, you will work longer hours because you love what you do and those long hours will feel like less meaning the rewards are actually greater… Getting up and doing what you do is the key to success without funding. Careful planning, finding others who you can work with or spend time with and above all enjoying what you do make it happen.
This year is my third year of freelance writing and consulting. I have my second children’s book published, I have started travelling for business, I teach others how to do it and inspire many to do the same. I won’t say it is easy, I work longer harder hours now than ever before but my happiness tank is beyond full. My life makes others jealous because I have freedom, no debt and do what I love… and I did it from zero.
Based in Cape Town, South Africa Matt Newnham is a writer who has a cup that is always a little more than half-full. Matt is passionate about life and success and his writing has earned him the title “The Master of Emotional Appeal” as he manages to find the true heart and human feeling of almost any subject.
Matt is also the Author of the children’s book series Space Ranger Fred.
Follow Matt on Twitter @MattNewnhamZA , on Facebook and on his website www.mattnewnham.co.za
As we at Rocoja have always said – In addition to seeking people to help businesses grow and sending information directly to them, social media is a great to tool to use when growing a new business.
A new product can be shown and advertised through social media, New music can be showcased and then shared by users; so Social media means your new venture can reach a level of advertising and passing of information that no other media ever could until now.
Be it from a laptop or thanks to a mobile app, social networks like Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest as well as many others that may not be as popular yet, help build up a good relationship with customers and the three of them effectively serve both parties: business and customer
Rocoja can and does help new businesses and start-ups get their details out to a whole new audience.
For any more help / advice or Small Business Tips & Trick
Please contact us
Karin
Please join Rocoja on any of the social media platforms below
