
Starting a business on your own means beginning and growing a company without any outside help with money. Instead of getting loans from banks, entrepreneurs who start on their own rely on the cash and sales earned by the business to get going.
One of the biggest struggles when starting on your own is not having access to standard ways to fund a business. For example, brand-new startups often cannot qualify for bank small business loans. They don't have a track record yet or much property as collateral.
And without being able to show significant sales growth already, it can be very tough to attract big investors with cash to fund the company. This leaves entrepreneurs who start on their own to use personal savings, credit cards or special loans like no guarantor loans from direct lenders!
Pulling these sources together can be a major roadblock, depending on how much money is needed at the start.
Get Creative in Your Game Plan
But just because the most well-known funding options might be out of reach, smart entrepreneurs get creative!
Here are some tips:
● Take advantage of business contests and training programs for very early-stage companies. These programs offer huge help like free office space, expert mentoring and even some seed money as you build proof of concept.
● Consider a side job dedicated only to saving up cash to someday launch your business idea. Live extremely cheaply and direct every spare dollar earned here toward your startup dreams.
● Slash costs across the board when you first start selling. Work from home, use only free digital tools or trials and hire helpers you pay per task instead of full employees. Every penny not spent counts when funding yourself.
Good Parts to Starting On Your Own
Though it requires creative thinking and determination, starting a business on your own has its good parts too. You keep full control over all big decisions. There’s huge pride in turning small seeds of funding into a company that earns its own money. And the struggle forces very tight budget habits that serve well in the long run.
The road is no doubt harder getting started this way. But with commitment and wise budgeting, almost anyone can start their big business ideas on their own over time.
Do-It-Yourself Marketing
When starting a business on your own with limited money, you can’t rely on hiring a big marketing agency to promote your brand. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get the word out! Here are some smart ways to do free or very low-cost marketing all on your own.
Use Social Media Creatively
You don’t need big advertising budgets to start building an audience and following.
● Get very creative with visual content formats that best resonate with your target demographic.
● Run fun contests and employee takeovers showcasing what you do.
● Ask happy customers to shout you out organically.
Every like, share and comment helps expand that social proof.
Network and Encourage Word-of-Mouth Buzz
Tapping into local networks, both online and offline, can create viral word-of-mouth momentum for your company. Reach out to complementary businesses to organically cross-promote each other's offerings. Get featured in local newspaper write-ups of emerging startups.
Have a grand opening event for the neighbourhood, inviting key community figures. When you deliver for customers, they, in turn, rave about you to all their friends. Leaning on community support kickstarts crucial awareness in those early days.
Running Operations Very Lean: Keeping Costs Low
When funds are extremely tight starting out, you have to run an exceptionally lean operation. That means cutting every possible business expense to the bone until sales pick up steam.
Here are two key ways bootstrappers slash operating costs when money is tight.
● Get ruthlessly creative about operating on the cheap when it comes to overhead.
● Forego a physical office space and fancy furnishings by working remotely for as long as viable.
● Use free communication platforms like Google Voice instead of a costly business phone system.
● Switch to only free software, tools and subscriptions during your proof of concept phase.
Every single monthly and annual expense trimmed counts significantly. You may also opt for low-interest loans like non guarantor loans. You can easily qualify for these loans online!
Building a Team with Little Funds
Here are two alternatives for delegation and task support that cost far less. If even paying contractors to stretch funds too thin, consider rallying volunteers.
● Reach out to mentors, friends and family willing to consult or pitch in a few unpaid hours when they can.
● Bring on unpaid college interns eager for experience rather than wages.
● Trade services with other community businesses also strapped for cash.
● Calling in short-term favours keeps operations running without draining what little money you have access to.
Conclusion
View starting on your own as an exciting challenge rather than a disadvantage. Limits force beautifully creative solutions. You need to get extremely good at cutting expenses and figuring out affordable workarounds. Celebrate small wins and first steps other business owners may take for granted.
This journey is a marathon, not a sprint. Make progress daily, even when feeling stagnant. And have patience both with yourself and the gradual process of slowly scaling a business.
Great companies aren't built overnight but over the years.
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