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<\/a><\/p>\nTable of Contents<\/strong><\/p>\n In this section, I sourced some tell-tale signs that you\u2019re ready to start a business. Before I get into them, I want to caveat that I\u2019m not saying you need all of them in place; I certainly didn\u2019t.<\/p>\n Having all or some of these signs could be a strong indicator that you\u2019re ready or soon to be ready to start a business.<\/p>\n When I started my business, my personal finances were in order. I worked a part-time job that paid my bills, and in the meantime, I worked on a side hustle. I freelanced, and while I built my rate and client base, my part-time job in a supermarket helped me feel financially safe.<\/p>\n There are benefits to having your finances in order. For example, you might find that orderly finances give you the peace of mind to:<\/p>\n Ultimately, how you order your finances is very personal. I have a low-risk tolerance regarding finances. My business was profitable from day one since I already owned the laptop and the software to get started. But, not all businesses are profitable immediately or even in the first year.<\/p>\n According to HubSpot\u2019s Entrepreneurship Trends Report<\/a>, only 28% of businesses report profit within a year, and most businesses (57%) are profitable in one to five years.<\/p>\n Source<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n While I was happy with my personal finances, I\u2019m no business finance expert, so I reached out to Gary Hemming from ABC Finance<\/a>. Gary is a highly respected and qualified finance specialist. I wanted to know his thoughts on finance and businesses and how someone approaching the right to start a business might think and manage finances.<\/p>\n Hemming said, \u201cThere\u2019s only one reason businesses go under, and that\u2019s because they run out of money. As long as you can manage cash flow, you can survive anything.\u201d<\/p>\n When asked how someone starting a business can prepare, he said, \u201cHaving a buffer and managing cash flow is all that matters. You can trade through anything if you\u2019ve got cash to ride out uncertain times. Your emergency budget and managing cash flow are the only things that impact how long you can survive if things don\u2019t go according to plan.\u201d<\/p>\n When I talk to people at the beginning of their business journey, especially those who are considering transitioning from full-time employment to self-employment, I suggest that they save three to six months of expenses.<\/p>\n No matter what happens, I can pay every monthly expense in my personal and business life because I created buffers early on.<\/p>\n Dan Wiggins<\/a> started his business similarly to me. RedCore Digital<\/a> started as a side hustle, while Wiggins maintained a steady income, which gave him confidence. Then, he transitioned to running his business full-time.<\/p>\n Like me, Wiggins wanted to start on strong foundations with his finances in order. His risk tolerance was fairly low. I understand this approach entirely. While you can take a considerable risk, if you really want to, it\u2019s better to know your personal risk tolerance and work with it.<\/p>\n Wiggins says, \u201cThe best time to start a business isn\u2019t about timing the market but understanding your financial position and risk tolerance. I ensured I had a financial buffer to cover personal living expenses for the first six months, allowing me to focus entirely on building the agency without the stress of immediate cash flow.<\/p>\n \u201cI initially ran RedCore with minimal overheads, focusing on high-value services and reinvesting profits into the business. This helped us grow sustainably while keeping financial risks low.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhile some entrepreneurs thrive under pressure by \u2018betting it all,\u2019 others, like myself, prefer a balance of financial stability and calculated risks. Both paths can lead to success \u2014 it\u2019s about knowing what works for you.\u201d<\/p>\n Starting a business is a huge commitment, and if you have an entrepreneurial spirit, you might see potential business opportunities around every corner.<\/p>\n Looking for opportunities indicates that you should be your own boss. I have been looking for opportunities to make money since I was a child. I made and tried to sell afternoon tea stands, flipped wedding dresses, bought and sold goods, created blogs and websites, and so much more.<\/p>\n The problem with spotting business opportunities everywhere is that you can start the wrong idea or start too many.<\/p>\n Instead of starting every business idea, write it down, sit with it a bit, and see if the thought pesters you.<\/p>\n I’ve discussed the notion of waiting for a pestering idea with my fellow business owner and LinkedIn friend, Kendra Noel<\/a>. Noel is the CEO and Lead Marketer at Boomtag Media<\/a>.<\/p>\n She says, \u201cI have had many fleeting excitements over business ideas. However, they come and go, and the excitement and drive don\u2019t stick. When you have one that just won\u2019t go away and consumes so much space in your brain, I think that\u2019s how you know you are ready.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere may not be the perfect time, but if you have this happen, it makes you willing to push and do what needs to be done to make room in your life and find the motivation to start,\u201d Noel added.<\/p>\n My friend Kim Dobson<\/a> owns a hair salon. She is by far the best hairdresser I\u2019ve ever known. Her journey to becoming a business owner was inevitable \u2014 she\u2019s far too good at what she does not to go solo with her business.<\/p>\n Like many of us, Dobson doesn\u2019t always recognize her talent. She went on quite a journey (physically and mentally) to build the confidence to start her own business. It all started with an adventure to Australia, which helped her see that she could change her job, find other roles, and, therefore, risk starting her own business; if it all went wrong, she learned she\u2019d just get another job.<\/p>\n I asked how she went from being an employed hair stylist to a business owner, and here\u2019s what she said:<\/p>\n \u201cI was in my former job for 12 years but felt there wasn\u2019t any career ladder for me to climb, so when I had the opportunity to go and work in Australia, I snapped it up.<\/p>\n \u201cIt got me out of a rut and gave me the confidence to work somewhere new. When I returned to the U.K., I thought about what I wanted to do and knew I didn\u2019t want to be employed again.<\/p>\n \u201cI had nothing to lose; if it didn\u2019t work out, I would get another job in another salon.\u201d<\/p>\n The beginning of Dobson\u2019s journey to starting a business was a mental one. You need to believe in your ability to start the business, but equally, have a plan B should you need it. Thanks to changing jobs and working in Australia, Dobson knew she could work elsewhere because she is a talented hairdresser, and anyone else would be lucky to have her.<\/p>\n I had a similar realization when I left a fantastic<\/em> and safe agency to start my business. I had to believe in myself, but what helped me mentally was leaning heavily into the fact that if it did all go wrong, I could potentially get my job back or find employment elsewhere.<\/p>\n In fact, like Dobson, I ended up working in a new role in a new industry between leaving the agency and starting my own business. The job shift helped me feel safe about getting employment elsewhere, giving me a backup plan in case my business fails.<\/p>\n Once you\u2019ve realized you\u2019re great at what you do and can find financial security elsewhere if needed, you might be ready to start your business. But the right time to start the business doesn\u2019t mean it will be easy; there might be sacrifices.<\/p>\n Dobson says, \u201cI bought a cheap car and spent what I earned in Australia to start my business. I started three days renting a chair and two days mobile to build up my clientele; I gathered enough interest that I quickly progressed to five days a week in the salon. Clients were happy to travel to me.<\/p>\n \u201cAfter two and half years, I converted a room in my house into a home-based salon, so I am completely independent now.\u201d<\/p>\n As time passed, Dobson fully felt the benefits of being a business owner. Now that she has a more established business, she has a better work-life balance. Her freedom from starting the business has allowed her to take three weeks off to honeymoon in America. She takes Saturdays off work (almost unheard of in the beauty world), and now she\u2019s a mum, she works around her daughter\u2019s nursery.<\/p>\n Many entrepreneurs start their businesses because they\u2019re passionate about their product or service offering. In fact, according to HubSpot\u2019s Entrepreneurship Report<\/a>, the top two reasons entrepreneurs start their businesses are because they want to a) be their own boss and b) follow a passion.<\/p>\n Source<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Following a passion is really important. When you\u2019re passionate about something, you\u2019re more likely to love what you do and do a thorough and great job. This leads to happy clients and opportunities. People love to work with people who love what they do.<\/p>\n For some entrepreneurs, the fear of regret surpassed the fear of starting, and this was the tell-tale sign that they needed to take the leap and start their own business.<\/p>\n Abdul Rehman<\/a> was plagued by the \u201cwhat ifs\u201d and used this as fuel to start his businesses. Rehman founded SEO Trix<\/a>, a digital marketing agency specializing in white-label services.<\/p>\n Rehman said, \u201cThe pain of not starting manifested in two ways: first, watching others launch and succeed in spaces where I knew I had valuable insights to share. Second, feeling stuck in a comfort zone that was becoming increasingly uncomfortable.<\/p>\n \u201cEvery Monday, I\u2018d tell myself, \u2019next week is the time,’ until I realized a year had passed. That moment hit harder than any startup struggle could. The fear of regret finally outweighed the fear of failure.\u201d<\/p>\n Passionate about his work, Rehman said he was \u201csolving the same problem repeatedly for free\u201d because he couldn\u2019t help himself.<\/p>\n After waiting a year and convincing himself that \u201cthe market isn’t ready\u201d or that he needs more experience, Rehman took the leap.<\/p>\n On starting a business in uncertain times, Rehman says, \u201cIronically, the most uncertain times provided the push I needed. When we started, agencies suddenly needed flexible, remote-ready solutions more than ever.\u201d<\/p>\n I was intrigued by Rehman\u2019s story because I think many of us can relate to having what feels like a great business idea but can\u2019t seem to start. Rehman had experienced it all: the fear of starting versus not starting.<\/p>\n I wanted to know if the pain of starting a business was better \u2014 or worse than not starting at all. Rehman said, \u201cThe reality of running the business actually proved more rewarding than scary, not because it was easier, but because taking action gave me control over the outcome. That fear of missing out transformed into excitement about solving real problems. Looking back, my only regret is not starting sooner.\u201d<\/p>\n Melissa Pedigo is a CPA and the founder of A CPA Writes<\/a>. Medigo writes tax, accounting<\/a>, and finance content exclusively for CPAs, tax accountants, and financial advisors \u2014 and she\u2019s also dubbed herself Chief Nerd Officer and tax-writing wizard.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you already know what you want to do and are sure there’s a market for your product or service, then starting a business in uncertain times is no different than starting one in certain times,\u201d said Pedigo.<\/p>\n However, she warns that if you\u2019re not certain of the demand for your idea, you should wait until a more stable time when consequences may be less impactful.<\/p>\n On the other hand, having a certain idea can negate the uncertainty of the market, economy, and world at large.<\/p>\n Moreover, with a solid support system (like a spouse, friends, or business partners<\/a>), you’re better suited to start a business during uncertain times. \u201cHaving a supportive spouse, both financially and emotionally, is underappreciated and under-recognized in providing the security to make big decisions like starting a business,\u201d Pedigo shared.<\/p>\n Many starting a business will do so with a co-founder. I wanted to know the signs that you\u2019ve got the right person so I spoke to Forrest Smith<\/a> and Tom Sanderson<\/a>.<\/p>\n Smith and Sanderson have an incredible company, Kineon<\/a>, and a fantastic story to go with it. They are co-founders whom I massively respect. I\u2019ve seen them work and watched their company grow from its early days, and their achievements amaze me. It\u2019s not just the company and the numbers that are incredible, but the values and attitudes instilled within the entire company, which spans several continents and time zones.<\/p>\n Rather unusually, Smith and Sanderson met in person four years after they started working together.<\/p>\n Smith says, \u201cWe first met digitally and spent the first two months discussing our mission and purpose as a team before we ever discussed the technology, product, and company building.\u201d<\/p>\n Suddenly, it makes sense that Smith and Sanderson head up one of the most lovely and mission-driven companies I\u2019ve ever worked with.<\/p>\n When asked how to find the right partner, Smith says, \u201cExplicitly discuss and challenge the mission and values. This discussion will allow you to understand intuitively the values you share, where they overlap, where they merge, and what you will have to compromise on over time to work together.\u201d<\/p>\n Smith warns that \u201cexpecting zero compromises is unreasonable, so try to actively find these points so you know where break points in the relationship are.\u201d<\/p>\n I might have assumed that the founding partners would be similar, but Smith says their key strengths are their differences. \u201cWe are very, very different in our key strengths.<\/p>\n \u201cOne thing that has happened in the past with companies I\u2018ve founded is that the overlap of strengths is too high. This is comfortable because you approach issues in a similar way, so it\u2019s easier to agree on issues that arise.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you do this, it\u2018s much easier to develop major blind or weak spots in the business. When your strengths and perspectives are more divergent, it\u2019s less comfortable to start because you\u2018ll challenge each other\u2019s views on different issues that arise. This builds friction early in the business, but if you are committed to accepting respectful challenges, you will synthesize a more effective outcome from these different perspectives.\u201d<\/p>\n Sanderson agreed with all of Smith’s points and added, \u201cThe month we met was the same month we shipped to 25,000 customers worldwide and crossed our first-ever $1M month.\u201d<\/p>\n As I\u2019m sure you\u2019ll agree, this is an incredible achievement for any company, but Kineon did this with a founding team that hadn\u2019t met, and they did it with only one product.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve adored watching Kineon grow: the business, the team, the product development, everything. It was years before I realized that Smith and Sanderson hadn\u2019t met, and I couldn\u2019t believe what they\u2019d achieved considering their distance.<\/p>\n It\u2019s taught me that unconventional setups can work, but I can only imagine the role the right partnership has played in this incredible feat.<\/p>\n <\/a> <\/p>\n As aforementioned, you may not have all the tell-tale signs you\u2019re ready, but I\u2019d expect some to resonate if you\u2019re ready to start a business. The point is that there is no certain<\/em> time to start a business.<\/p>\n The fact is that uncertain times make it harder to build a business<\/a>, but if there is no certainity, eventuallly, you just take the leap.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re considering starting a new venture, evaluate your life, relationships, and bank account and decide if they\u2019re sturdy enough to ride the waves of entrepreneurship.<\/p>\n If they are, and you\u2019re prepared for the ups and downs of business-building, then there\u2019s likely no better time to get started.<\/p>\n Take this note from Joe Clarke<\/a>, a freelance writer who launched his business in very uncertain times: “Should people start businesses in uncertain times? It depends on the uncertainty. If it\u2018s a personal situation rife with instability, I\u2019d say it\u2018s probably not a great idea to add more to your plate. If there\u2019s instability in the world, then you’ll be waiting for a long time for the right <\/em>time to start your business,” he said.<\/p>\n “Do what you can to add safety nets before starting your business (whether that\u2018s having X months\u2019 living expenses saved, a healthy pipeline of leads, etc.), but know that risk’s always involved.<\/p>\n “But the thing about risk? Reward usually comes with it.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/a> <\/p>\n If you\u2019re still feeling unsure about whether or not now is the right time to start your business<\/a>, let\u2019s go through some tips from business owners and entrepreneurs; maybe they\u2019ll give you the motivation to get started.<\/p>\n I met Crystal Waddell<\/a> on LinkedIn and joined her SEO podcast as a guest<\/a> a year ago. She hosts a podcast discussing eCommerce, SEO, and entrepreneurship. She also runs her own business, which allows her to work from home, spend quality time with her son, and make money.<\/p>\n Waddell perhaps provides the most straightforward yet hardest-to-execute tip: Just start<\/strong>.<\/p>\n She says, \u201cWhen my son was born, teaching middle school while paying for childcare would cost more than my salary. But I still needed to make money \u2014 so I started an Etsy shop that turned into a small manufacturing company of niche products.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile the ideal path would be to create a business plan, get investors, and raise start-up capital, all the entrepreneurs I know just did the thing. And figured it out on the way.<\/p>\n \u201cThe motivation wasn\u2018t to make millions of dollars; it was just to get some control back over life. So, I think the only right time is when you wake up and say: I don\u2019t want to be doing this anymore; it doesn’t make sense.<\/p>\n \u201cIn our materialistic world, it\u2018s a tough jump. You\u2019ve got to say no to a lot of material things and be humble enough to do other work as you figure out how to get customers and make money.\u201d<\/p>\n Why I liked this tip: <\/strong>I loved everything about this tip, and it\u2019s a tip I share with others, too. In a TikTok, sharing tips on how I started freelancing, my first tip was, \u201cJust start.\u201d Wadell and I are in complete agreement with this one.<\/p>\n I\u2019m conscious that a tip like \u201cjust start\u201d may sound patronizing, but it is the hardest step. We\u2019re all capable of dreaming up ideas and talking about them, but the magic happens after you get started.<\/p>\n Waddell recognizes that starting is a tough jump and says, You’ve got to say no to a lot of material things and be humble enough to do other work as you figure out how to get customers,\u201d I love that she added this. When I started my business, I started writing for $10\/article, a fee way below minimum wage, but I loved it.<\/p>\n Like Waddell the goal for me was never financial. I just wanted to prolong my travels and increase my daily travel budget. Somehow, my $10 articles grew exponentially, and now my business makes six-figures.<\/p>\n I agree that you need to say no to material things and humble yourself along the way. Writing for $10 was not something I needed to do, and even back then, I was more qualified. You could say I deserved to make at least the minimum wage, but I simply didn\u2019t mind.<\/p>\n It all started with one blog, $10, and a leap into the unknown.<\/p>\n Doug Davidoff<\/a> is the founder and CEO of Imagine Business Development<\/a>. Davidoff and his team enable companies to orchestrate all elements of their sales, marketing, and customer success efforts to generate more impact.<\/p>\n When asked about starting a business in uncertain times, Davidoff said, \u201cAsking if one should start a business in uncertain times infers that there’s an option to start them at certain times,\u201c Davidoff countered. \u201dIn my experience, there is no such thing as certainty, especially when it comes to starting and running a business.”<\/p>\n In fact, Davidoff believes that uncertain or difficult times are, in fact, the best times to start a business \u2014 for three reasons:<\/p>\n “Businesses should <\/em>be started in uncertain times because if they weren\u2018t, they would never be started,” Davidoff stated. “I do believe there are exceptions for who should start a business in uncertain times, but it would be the same answer if times weren\u2019t uncertain \u2014 starting a business is not right for everyone.”<\/p>\n One tip from Davidoff is that you should “Be clear on who your target audience<\/a> is \u2014 and equally clear on the problem you’re going to solve better than anyone<\/em>,” explained Davidoff.<\/p>\n He encourages new business owners to know the answer to these three questions on behalf of their audiences:<\/p>\n Tamara Sykes, SEO Strategist at Next Level Presence<\/a>, agrees. \u201cYou need to ask yourself if there’s a need you can provide a solution for,\u201d she stated. \u201cIf the need is apparent, go ahead and start the business because you know the market exists. But if it isn’t, starting your business during an uncertain time is unwise \u2014 particularly since it will take more time to get traction.\u201d<\/p>\n Why I liked this tip: <\/strong>Firstly, I loved Davidoff\u2019s comment about how starting a business in \u201cuncertain times\u201d infers that there is a certain time. There simply is not. Secondly, I resonate a lot with Davidoff\u2019s comment about being clear on your audience and the problem you\u2019ll solve better than anyone.<\/p>\n I firmly believe that solving problems better than anyone is one of the main reasons my business has succeeded. Even from the beginning (when I was writing articles for $10), I wanted to<\/p>\n Both of these tactics have stayed with me today, and I use both of them for every client and every project. For me, providing excellent service is a passion project. It\u2019s important that my clients feel special, know, and feel that I care. I always have something that I\u2019ll over-deliver to my clients.<\/p>\n For example, back when I was writing articles for $10, I\u2019d include one or maybe three social media posts that the client could use. I promised them an article, and I over-delivered conscientiously. It was always appreciated.<\/p>\n With this, it is important to over-deliver only to the point where you\u2019re happy. A social media post, for example, was easy to execute but of value to the client.<\/p>\n Brendan Hufford founded SEO for the Rest of Us<\/a> as a community dedicated to helping people stop learning (and start doing) SEO<\/a>. His community has helped his members\u2019 businesses grow during the most uncertain times, and Hufford describes this as a \u201cprivilege.\u201d<\/p>\n Hufford\u2019s community helped businesses during the most uncertain time. Hufford said, \u201cWhen times are uncertain, being a rock for others and supporting them outside your core business is crucial.\u201d<\/p>\n For Hufford, SEO for the Rest of Us offers a second income stream. The community became a vehicle for his now full-time business, Growth Sprints<\/a>. Hufford says, \u201cOur world is farther out of our hands than ever imagined. Multiple income streams can provide security and a level of freedom that, in a way, make things more<\/em> certain.\u201d<\/p>\n With multiple businesses, Hufford seems to be the biggest advocate for starting one’s own business, but starting a business isn\u2019t always the right decision.<\/p>\n Hufford says \u201cno\u201d when asked if everyone should start a business, especially in uncertain times. You shouldn\u2018t start a business if you\u2019re gambling on more than yourself,\u201c he says. Adding that level of stress to your relationship with your significant other or children isn’t something I’d ever advise doing.\u201d<\/p>\n Why I liked this tip: <\/strong>I really liked Hufford\u2019s authenticity and I believe in what he\u2019s saying. As a business owner, being your true, authentic self and a pillar of strength is valuable. In my experience, people value confidence and assertiveness.<\/p>\n Having two income streams is an incredible privilege; I\u2019m working on it myself. It\u2019s common for people to assume that employment is safer than entrepreneurship, and sometimes, it is, but there are many ways in which entrepreneurship offers more security than employment. For example, I have multiple clients and can afford to lose many before I can\u2019t cover my expenses. For people who are full-time employed, this may not be true.<\/p>\n Finally, Hufford recognizes that not everyone should start their own business, which is a balanced and appreciated view for someone with multiple income streams. Hufford lists reasons for not starting, which include stress and its impact on relationships. There\u2019s no point in being successful in business if your personal life is suffering.<\/p>\n Melissa Pedigo already gave me a tell-tale sign that now is the right time to start your business (that you know your audience).<\/p>\n She also gave a top tip regarding finances. She says, \u201cKeep track of your finances, and I\u2018m not saying that because I\u2019m a CPA,” said Pedigo. You need to know where every dollar goes and make sure you’re invoicing for all your work in a timely manner. Cash flow<\/a> becomes more important in times of uncertainty.”<\/p>\n \u201cAdditionally, create a thorough business plan<\/a> for starting and growing your company. This will help you stay focused on your goal when things inevitably get tough. It’ll also help you attract investors and financial support when the time comes.\u201d<\/p>\n What I like about this tip:<\/strong> I can\u2019t express the importance of being diligent with your finances. I track every single income and expense. I make it a habit to do it daily. If you don\u2019t, you will forget what you\u2019ve paid for or what you should be paid for!<\/p>\n You simply can only run a successful business by diligently tracking your finances. Plus, if it comes to the end of the year and you haven\u2019t worked on your finances a little and often, you\u2019ll find yourself stressed, and business brings enough stress without you adding to your stresses.<\/p>\n Sam Browne<\/a> is a serial entrepreneur and a LinkedIn pro. I love Browne\u2019s posts and have always loved reading his thoughts on entrepreneurship.<\/p>\n When asked for a tip for people starting a business, Browne says, \u201cNew entrepreneurs need to realize that building a successful business is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s going to take time to reach success.<\/p>\n \u201cYour first one to two years as an entrepreneur will push you to your limit. You\u2018ll need to become a jack of all trades and embrace building new skills on a perpetual basis. You\u2019ll work harder than you ever have but make less money. You won\u2018t know what systems and standard operating procedures to build. You won\u2019t know what to invest in now, later, or not at all.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is all completely normal on your first go around. These are the skills you need to build as an entrepreneur, and there’s no shortcut to building them. When you build your second business, and your third, and your fourth, all these things are much easier.<\/p>\n \u201cHang in there, be willing to grind, and be patient. \u201c<\/p>\n What I like about this tip:<\/strong> What stands out within this tip is that you\u2019ll need to become the jack of all trades, and you won\u2019t know what systems to build. Both of these things are very true no matter when you start your business. You will enter the steepest learning curve about what it takes to run a successful business. Systems are incredibly important because they speed up processes and enable you to consistently deliver work to the highest standard. I recommend building systems as early as possible. You can always edit them later.<\/p>\n Running your own business is not for the weak. According to research by Voronoi<\/a>, most startups fail within ten years.<\/p>\n Source<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Research shows that the first year of business is the hardest<\/a>, and 20% of businesses fail within that first year.<\/p>\n Running a business alone is challenging, and life’s challenges are often impossible to anticipate.<\/p>\n Tom Rankin, a freelance writer for WordPress businesses<\/a>, deals with various health issues. \u201cBig, bold decisions are tough to make, whether it\u2019s business or life,\u201c he says. [But now], I have work, personal time, and life balance\u2014the things I originally set out to achieve.\u201d<\/p>\n Megan Sayers, founder of Make Good Design<\/a>, has also relied on bravery during these times. \u201cWe’re not out of the woods yet, but there’s something comforting about knowing that so many are in the same boat \u2014 it’s almost given us permission to fail, which has, in turn, made us feel braver.\u201d<\/p>\n What I like about this tip:<\/strong> Running a business certainly requires bravery. You will have to make uncomfortable decisions and take risks.<\/p>\n In a Guardian article<\/a>, citing the Voronoi, the writer Gene Marks discusses why businesses fail and what it takes to keep one going. Marks concludes: \u201cMy advice when people ask me about starting a business? I say don\u2019t unless you are really ready to leave your corporate job and face a cold, harsh, uncaring world.\u201d<\/p>\n While I don\u2019t agree entirely with Marks\u2019 statement, it does have some truth. Running a business is hard, and you will undoubtedly have to work hard \u2013 very hard \u2013 for periods of time, but in my experience, bravery pays off, and you will be rewarded greatly.<\/p>\n Mersudin Forbes<\/a> at Forbes Digital<\/a> entered my life as a LinkedIn connection, and I finally met him this year. We work in the same industry, so we had a lot to talk about. One thing I love about Forbes is how he thinks about and articulates his knowledge of business.<\/p>\n When I started writing this article, I knew I wanted his insights. Forbes shares the importance of trusting yourself, the value of starting now, and the fact that there is no best or worst time to start a business.<\/p>\n He says, \u201cThere is never a best or worst time to start a business. You just have to trust that you will put in the effort to make it work. That is where the magic is.\u201d<\/p>\n Forbes believes everything, including standing still, is risky, and I agree. We\u2019ve heard this sentiment in this article; remember, Abdul Rehman said he started his business when the fear of regret surpassed the fear of starting.<\/p>\n Forbes says, \u201cThere is never a good or bad time to start. But you have to feel positive about the thing you want to do. It has to get you out of bed in the morning. Otherwise, it will just be another job, not your own business.\u201d<\/p>\n What I like about this tip:<\/strong> Forbes justifies starting a business by taking a risk assessment. Ultimately, it\u2019s a risk to start, and it\u2019s a risk not to. I strongly agree with this, though it was a journey to get here! This narrative played a role when I first started. Like many young business owners, I was nervous when I started, but I knew I could solve problems. I\u2019m very conscientious and always make things right for my clients. Ultimately, I convinced myself to trust that I would make it work, and like Forbes, I did!<\/p>\n Running your own business can be draining. Research and hundreds of personal accounts have documented the exhaustion of entrepreneurship. So seriously consider whether you have the time, energy, and financial backing to be your own boss. This includes how you want to spend your time and how you’re planning to fund your business.<\/p>\n It’s smart to build a business budget and map our income and expenses. You also want to consider your savings, credit score, network, and capital. Who may be willing to invest in your idea? How much money can you secure to get your product off the ground?<\/p>\n As you work through these details, remember to keep your mental health in mind.<\/p>\n In her article, How to Overcome Startup Failure Stress and Anxiety, Jessica Pedraza<\/a> lists reasons for stress, including:<\/p>\n The tips for overcoming stress include:<\/p>\n Pedraza recommends mindfulness, meditation, deep breathing, and yoga to manage stress properly, as well as exercise, even just a daily walk.<\/p>\n What I like about this tip<\/strong>: I\u2019d love to tell you that I\u2019ve perfected this part of running a business; naturally, I don\u2019t. However, I know that I function best when I follow some of these best practices.<\/p>\n I prefer my work-life balance when I\u2019m up naturally, hydrating first, then walking early in the morning, and getting the sun on my skin.<\/p>\n Recently, I joined a sports class so I have something to look forward to in the evening. It keeps me moving and fit and gives me another layer of purpose.<\/p>\n\n
When is the best time to start a business?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Your finances are in order.<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nYou know your risk tolerance.<\/h3>\n
You can\u2019t stop thinking about your idea.<\/h3>\n
You\u2019re amazing at what you do.<\/h3>\n
You\u2019re passionate about the product or service.<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nThe fear of regret is looming.<\/h3>\n
You know who your audience is.<\/h3>\n
You have the right partner.<\/h3>\n
The Truth About Uncertainty and Entrepreneurship<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Tips for Starting a Business in an Uncertain Economy<\/strong><\/h2>\n
1. Just start.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
2. Get clear on your audience and their problems.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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4. <\/strong>Be real with people.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
5. Track your expenses and have a plan.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
6. Remember: It\u2019s a marathon and not a sprint.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
7. Be brave.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\n8. Trust yourself.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
9. Make sure you have the time, energy, and resources.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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