Startup Struggles
In the words of famed abolitionist Fredrick Douglas, “If there is no struggle, there is no progress.” These wise words uttered at a time in history where some of the greatest struggles were occurring. Staying strong in the face of hardship is what kept people alive. In today’s world, we face hundreds of struggles every day that we must overcome to become better people. With some advice and motivation to overcome struggles in your startup business, you will be able to see past the hard times and envision a brighter future.
Asses your Current Situation
Take a breath. For you to decide to create and operate a startup is a very impressive feat on its own. So having some issues along the way is something all startups face. Rely on your life experience if you’re feeling lost and overwhelmed. Take an account of your surroundings and try and get a sense of what needs to happen next.
By taking the time to look at your business as it stands right now, you can look at your finances, profits, losses, and team to see what may be causing your current struggles. If you are aware of the root cause, then bite the bullet and address the situation NOW! If you are still “lost,” then write down your current issues. This will help you get to the root cause of the issue. This process can take some time to fully understand, so be patient.
Think of Where you Want to Be
It might seem like the world is coming down around you at the moment. Take a moment to remember why you started your business in the first place. Before you started your business, you most likely had a whole plan for what you wanted it to become and grow into.
Recall back to the early days of starting your business when you were eager and ready for anything. Remembering this energy and drive will remind you what all of this hard work and struggle is for and that it has a greater purpose. If you feel lost, rewrite your goals and vision so that you have an updated idea. This will help you see the future of your business so you have something to look at that reflects your future vision.
Look for Help
When you are in a time of need and feel lost without guidance, the experts with experience in your field will be able to guide you. Those with knowledge of the competitive business environment will be one of the best investments you will make. It will help to ensure the success of your future business. Marketing and consulting experts that have experience in the field will be able to provide you with preemptive knowledge. It will save you from pitfalls that most startups experience which will save you time and money.
Whether you just need an extra set of eyes to look over your business plan for inconsistencies or improvements to be made or you need advice for marketing your ideas and getting support, consultants provide the ability to offer you insights and guidance that will keep you moving forward for years to come. It might be intimidating, but it is truly the strongest people who know when they need assistance.
Dealing with the Costs
Regardless of the dream, you won’t be able to do anything without figuring out the funding for your business. From the cost of electricity to the cost of product production; there are vast amount of expenses that every business must consider. Think about these costs before taking action in the marketplace.
If you have a business plan, consider your anticipated operating costs, production costs, employee payment, and any other applicable costs. Some of the highest potential companies and businesses have been destroyed due to the management of funds. This can hold back million-dollar potential. No matter how small or insubstantial a cost may seem, the businesses that succeed and thrive are the ones who pay meticulous attention to the smallest details. Know when and why every dollar was spent and earned at any given time. While money can provide you answers to many questions for your startups, failing to understand the real costs will only add to your struggles.
Analyze your Location
Whether you are an app based company or provide products that need a store, finding the right place to set up your business is important. If you plan on selling products out of a store front, the traffic of a given area will directly impact your sales numbers. Even if you are just planning to rent out a small office space, the area in which you choose to work will affect your.How much you will pay in taxes and utility fees can range from a few extra dollars a month thousands of dollars. This is the difference from small towns to high traffic locations in downtown New York.
One of the benefits of certain forms of business-like apps and specialized services is that you don’t need a physical space to operate. This can save you substantial amounts of money and allow you to put more money into the development of your app or service. If your current space is not bringing the traffic you want, consider branching out to other areas where you may be able to reach more customers for improved business.
Ensure you are Organized Efficiently
Attempting to start a business alone can feel like an unknown and dangerous environment. It can feel like it holds no prisoners and can ruin you. Don’t let your confidence or experience stop you from building a team. Having a partnership or team will bring you to heights that you would have never been able to reach alone.
You create an environment and company that focuses on collaboration. This is done by connecting with others who share a similar vision. For both the mental and work strain, a team by your side will offer you wisdom and support when you need it most.
Love the Struggle
The process of creating a business can be one of the most exciting processes one can experience. However, saying it is an easy and smooth process would give false hope. You may see the success of others and their companies and think they had it easy. You are only seeing the final product of their blood, sweat, and tears from countless hours of work and dedication. Please do not feel like you are alone. I promise you… you are not alone.
Regardless of your stress and fear, every great business has gone through the same rough patches and doubts. Waiting for the right time to take action will only build upon the anxiety. Taking action now will lead to a greater understanding of your business and it’s potential. The struggle may seem crippling in the moment. Overcoming and beating the struggle that will bring uncapped growth.
Conclusion
If you started reading this article thinking of shutting down your business and even just has a second guess, then you are on the right track. Starting a business is scary and is a true test of who you are. From the struggles of the planning to determining your team, signs of struggle and anxiety are a sign that you are doing something right. So, embrace the struggle and keep moving forward.