NASE, National Association of Self Employed

BASICS

Finding success is not luck, it’s nothing but a beginning plan driven by hard work and focus. If you find yourself out of energy by noon in any environment, unless you work in heat or in extreme physically demanding job, being self-employed may not be the path for you. Also, if your health is a concern, medical insurance is expensive and very tough to get with any medical conditions. Even in the best of health, age is also a factor as the risk to insure anyone increases as we age. Without insurance, you are a financial liability to your small business. Finally, if you are not financially sophisticated be ware that being self-employed, unless you have a gold mine business idea, can be financially rough while you are building your empire. Starting out broke is tough, many people start businesses on very small budgets. Like myself, I used eBay for a side income prior to beginning a business. I believe in multiple Income streams for both me personally, and my company, Cardinal Selling Services (CSS). Using tools, such as eBay was a launch pad for my company prior to us launching our own website, shopcardinal.com. Most eBayers (or people who use eBay for business) started with under $500 in inventory. It was an easy business to launch because they had these main business tools for success:

• A computer
• Internet Access
• Ability to take photos

Tools. Online e-commerce websites such as Amazon or eBay can provide a tremendous side income for anyone. Keep in mind that selling assets around your home can produce some wonderful and needed seed money. If starting a business of such stumps you, try youtube.com or google for tips on how to get started. If you need further assistance to move forward, for a minimal fee you can hire professionals to assist you through a website called upwork.com. Local online barter pages can also bring great returns for your more common assets, with little to no fees and quick cash turn around. With a quick note about safety, always meet buyers in public places away from your home. Facebook is a must have for your new business page. Boosting ads under your page can give you solid returns fast. Choose the area you want to market to, even a 10 mile radius to get the message about your new business heard.

SCOPE

Think about the business you want to begin in terms of ‘customer reach’. Are you wanting to start a local muffin shop? Could the muffin shop be unique enough, dynamic and awesome enough to be a national brand? There are many ways to grow a business. From opening more corporate owned locations to franchising, you have options. Franchising is a wonderful system, and like we know from McDonalds, it isn’t necessarily about the best burger. Consistency in the product is the reason people flock to this mega-giant food chain. Whether restaurant or service businesses, all started with one profitable location with a unique idea. In the service business arena, from commercial cleaning to accounting, many service models become national franchises that thrive.

PLANNING

Starting a small business in this economy can be frightening. Risk adverse business minded professionals have start-up business ideas and often stumble in the planning process. It’s imperative to compile a business plan, even if it is 3-5 pages in length. Be prepared to change the plan as time passes. If you are struggling with composing your first business plan, try ‘googling’ the business you want to start and the word ‘business plan’ to find a basic starting document to follow. Getting started is the hardest part. Open a word document, name the document and save it and you are on your way to having a plan started!