The Ugly Truth About Starting A Business

July 13, 2016

Launching a business venture could be your gateway to a bigger and brighter future. Not only can it provide financial riches, but you’ll gain the satisfaction of working on a project that you feel passionate about. When it goes right, being an entrepreneur is undoubtedly one of the most satisfying things that anyone can do.
But don’t be fooled into thinking it will be an easy ride to success and fortune. Business is hard work. If you’re going to turn your dream into a reality, it’s imperative that you understand and pay attention to the harsh realities.
Here are some of the most valuable lessons you can learn before jumping in at the deep end. Heed the advice, and you’ll be in a far stronger position going forward.
More New Businesses Fail Than Succeed
Yeah, that’s not a nice thing to read, is it? Sadly, though, it’s true. In fact, the balance isn’t even close as over three in every four new companies will be destined for the scrapheap. Don’t let it scare you; let it drive you on.
One of the chief reasons that new companies fail is that not enough planning goes into the process. It will take time for your business to grow, so you need to ensure that things are conducted in a cost-effective manner from the start. In many cases, you could even operate from the comfort of home. Just remember to buy a virtual office space to maintain a positive brand image.
There are plenty of success stories out there for inspiration, but you need to avoid the common mistakes of failed startups too. Do this, and you’ll be just fine.
You Aren’t Even Close To Being The Most Important Person
As the business owner, it’s easy to assume that you’re a pretty big deal. You aren’t. You might be the brains behind the operation, but you don’t hold the key to its future success.
Building a quality team is one of the most important tasks that you’ll ever face. Running a business is too much for one pair of hands. Whether it’s full-time employees or outsourced freelancers doesn’t matter. Knowing that you have a skilled and motivated team at your disposal will work wonders.
However, it’s the customer who truly matters. Therefore, increasing visibility with content marketing and advanced advertising strategies is essential. After all, if you can’t gain their interest, you’ll never see a return on your investments.
Your Entire Business Is Constantly Under Threat
In today’s world, crooks are constantly looking to take advantage of new businesses. The only way to battle back against this issue is to invest in quality protection.
Embracing CCTV and modern alarm systems are crucial for physical protection. Likewise, securing your digital data is a key responsibility, particularly if you store customer info. However, it’s equally vital to think about your intellectual property. A prestigious trademark lawyer can help your company protect its crucial elements. It might not feel like an important job now, but it will if you ever fall victim to fraudulent or dishonest activity.
Your business is extremely precious, and you need to treat it as such. Fail to protect your startup in the early days, and you could be opening yourself up for disaster. Apart from anything else, you can’t put a price on your peace of mind.

Mark Asquith

That British podcast guy, Mark is co-founder of Captivate.fm, the world's only growth-oriented podcast host. A Harvard, TEDx, Podcast Movement and Podfest speaker (amongst many more!), he's a wildly approachable Brit and Star Wars/DC Comics geek.

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