Start Up
So you want to be your own boss. Are you ready for it?
So you want to be your own boss and start a business but don’t know where and how to start? Don’t panic – you are not the first. With the economy now more suited to startups than ever before, more people than ever before have found the “job” they always wanted is not actually for them. Others have come to the conclusion that they would rather create work they love, constructed to fit with their own life goals. No matter what the motivation is to be your own boss, you can start today.
When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, then you’ll be successful.
Eric Thomas
Working in your pajamas, setting your own hours, having good coffee at your desk for a change … there are lots of reasons people dream of leaving the normal workplace and launching out to become their own boss. The perks are great, but the work is still hard. If you’re serious about being your own boss and working from home, you can definitely do it
8 tips to be your own boss
If you take these following steps, you’ll be well on your way to becoming your own boss.
1. Take a stand for yourself
If you are dissatisfied with your current circumstances, admit that no one can fix them except for you. It doesn’t do any good to blame the economy, your boss, your spouse or your family. Change can only occur when you make a conscious decision to make it happen.
2. Identify the right business for you
Give yourself permission to explore. Be willing to look at different facets of yourself (your personality, social styles, age) and listen to your intuition. We tend to ignore intuition even though deep down we often know the truth. Ask yourself “What gives me energy even when I’m tired?”
How do you know what business is “right” for you? There are three common approaches to entrepreneurship:
Do What You Know: Have you been laid off or want a change? Look at work you have done for others in the past and think about how you could package those skills and offer them as your own services or products.
Do What Others Do: Learn about other businesses that interest you. Once you have identified a business you like, emulate it.
Solve a Common Problem: Is there a gap in the market? Is there a service or product you would like to bring to market? (Note: This is the highest-risk of the three approaches.) If you choose to do this, make sure that you become a student and gain knowledge first before you spend any money.
3. Business planning improves your chances for success
Most people don’t plan, but it will help you get to market faster. A business plan will help you gain clarity, focus and confidence. A plan does not need to be more than one page. As you write down your goals, strategies and action steps, your business becomes real.
Ask yourself the following questions:
– What am I building?
– Who will I serve?
– What is the promise I am making to my customers/clients and to myself?
– What are my objectives, strategies and action plans (steps) to achieve my goals?
4. Know your target audience before you spend anything
Before you spend money, find out if people will actually buy your products or services. This may be the most important thing you do. You can do this by validating your market. In other words, who, exactly, will buy your products or services other than your family or friends? (And don’t say. “Everyone in America will want my product.” Trust me–they won’t.) What is the size of your target market? Who are your customers? Is your product or service relevant to their everyday life? Why do they need it?
5. Understand your personal finances and choose the right kind of money you need for your business
As an entrepreneur, your personal life and business life are interconnected. You are likely to be your first–and possibly only–investor. Therefore, having a detailed understanding of your personal finances, and the ability to track them, is an essential first step before seeking outside funding for your business. This is why I recommend setting up your personal accounts in a money management system such as Mint.com to simplify this process.
As you are creating your business plan, you will need to consider what type of business you are building–a lifestyle business (smaller amount of startup funds), a franchise (moderate investment depending on the franchise), or a high-tech business (will require significant capital investment). Depending on where you fall on the continuum, you will need a different amount of money to launch and grow your business, and it does matter what kind of money you accept.
6. Build a support network
You’ve made the internal commitment to your business. Now you need to cultivate a network of supporters, advisors, partners, allies and vendors. If you believe in your business, others will, too.
Network locally, nationally & via social networks. Join your local chamber of commerce and any other relevant business groups. Here are some networking basics:
– When attending networking events, ask others what they do and think about how you can help them. The key is to listen more than tout yourself.
– No matter what group you join, be generous, help others and make introductions without charging them.
– By becoming a generous leader, you will be the first person that comes to mind when someone you’ve helped needs your service or hears of someone else who needs your service.
7. Sell by creating value
Even though we purchase products and services every day, people don’t want to be “sold.” Focus on serving others. The more people you serve, the more money you will make. When considering your customers or clients, ask yourself:
– What can I give them?
– How can I make them successful in their own pursuits?
– This approach can help lead you to new ways to hone your product or service and deliver more value, which your customers will appreciate.
8. Get the word out
Be willing to say who you are and what you do with conviction and without apology. Embrace and use the most effective online tools (Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn) available to broadcast your news. Use social networks as “pointer” sites; i.e., to point to anything you think will be of interest to your fans and followers.
Even though social networks are essential today (you must use them!), don’t underestimate the power of other methods to get the word out: e.g., word-of-mouth marketing, website and internet marketing tools, public relations, blog posts, columns and articles, speeches, e-mail, newsletters, and the old-fashioned but still essential telephone.
If you take these steps, you’ll be well on your way to becoming your own boss.
The United Kingdom is home to many different types of businesses, including a growing number of black owned businesses. But how many are there, and where are they located? In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the rise of black owned businesses in the UK and explore their impact on the economy.
The Rise of Black Owned Businesses in the UK
Black owned businesses have been on the rise in recent years in the UK. According to research by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS), there were nearly 400,000 black owned businesses as of 2019. This figure has increased by more than 50% since 2010—an impressive rate of growth compared to other business demographics.
These figures are encouraging, but it’s important to note that most black owned businesses are small operations with fewer than 10 employees. These small businesses play an important role in local communities, providing employment and creating goods and services for local people. They also contribute significantly to the UK economy as a whole; research from BEIS suggests that black owned businesses account for about 5% of all private sector turnover in Britain.
What’s Driving Growth of Black Owned Businesses in the UK?
So what’s driving this growth? One factor is increased access to finance options; government initiatives such as Start Up Loans have made it easier for entrepreneurs from all backgrounds to get funding for their business ideas. Another factor is increased awareness among consumers; research shows that more people are now looking out for locally owned and operated business when making purchasing decisions.
Finally, there has been an increase in support programs specifically geared towards helping black entrepreneurs start up and grow their own business—such as Enterprise Nation’s #IAmTheFuture campaign which provides mentorship and advice for aspiring entrepreneurs from underrepresented backgrounds.
It’s clear that there has been a significant increase in the number of black-owned businesses in the UK over recent years—a trend which is likely to continue thanks to improved financial access, increasing consumer awareness, and dedicated support programs aimed at helping these entrepreneurs succeed. It’s inspiring to see so many individuals taking control of their financial destiny by starting their own business ventures—and having a positive impact on both local communities and the economy as a whole. Hopefully this trend continues into 2023 and beyond!
Economic Impact
Community Pride and Representation
Black-owned businesses also help build community pride by providing goods and services that cater specifically to people from similar backgrounds or offer products that reflect their culture and heritage. For example, a black owned restaurant might serve dishes inspired by traditional foods from the Caribbean or a hair salon might specialise in natural hairstyles popular among West Africans. These types of services give people from similar backgrounds an opportunity to connect with one another while also celebrating their culture and identity in meaningful ways.
Cultural Preservation
Social Empowerment
The best way to create social change is through grassroots action —and supporting black-owned businesses is a great way to get involved in this type of advocacy. By investing your money into local businesses owned by people of color, you are sending a powerful message that you believe in their potential and value them as an integral part of our society. This kind of social empowerment can create ripple effects throughout entire communities, inspiring others to follow suit and invest in these businesses as well.
Job Creation in the Black Community
When small businesses succeed, they create jobs in their local communities —which is especially important when those communities have traditionally been left out or underserved by larger corporations or institutions. Investing in black-owned businesses helps ensure that more job opportunities are made available within these communities, helping residents find meaningful employment and giving them the opportunity to build financial stability and security for themselves and their families over time.
The Value of Black-Owned Businesses in the Black Community
Every workplace should be a safe and inclusive environment, free of discrimination and prejudice. Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case. Workplace racism is still an issue in the UK, and it has a significant effect on businesses. Let’s take a look at how workplace racism affects the UK economy and what employers can do to combat it.
The economic effects of workplace racism
Workplace racism can have far-reaching economic effects both for companies and for individuals. A study conducted by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) found that workplace racism costs British businesses up to £24 billion each year, due largely to higher staff turnover rates, lower productivity, and under-utilization of talent. It also costs individuals—people who experience racial discrimination are more likely to suffer from stress or depression, leading to decreased job satisfaction and increased absences from work. This in turn leads to reduced productivity, which affects both businesses and employees alike.
What impact does racism have on black entrepreneurship
For many black entrepreneurs, this systemic racism has been a major driving force behind their decision to pursue entrepreneurship as an alternative to regular employment. Let’s take a look at how racism in the UK workplace is pushing black entrepreneurs to create their own opportunities.
In 2018, a report by the Equality and Human Rights Commission found that more than three-quarters of black employees had experienced or witnessed racial discrimination in their workplaces. This statistic should come as no surprise to anyone familiar with the history of institutionalized racism in Britain, however it does demonstrate the need for change.
These statistics certainly serve as motivation for many black entrepreneurs who feel that there are limited options for them within traditional employment structures. Not only are they more likely to experience racism, but they are also less likely to be hired or promoted due to unconscious bias and other forms of discrimination. As a result, many have turned to entrepreneurship as an alternative where they can be their own boss and create their own opportunities.
Being a black business owner can be an incredibly rewarding experience, but it also presents unique challenges. The inequity and discrimination that exists in the business landscape can make success more difficult to achieve, especially if you’re competing against larger businesses owned by non-minority groups. But if you approach the situation strategically, you can make sure that your company stands out and thrives despite these struggles.
Here are some tips for how to stand out and thrive as a black business owner:
1. Find your niche
Identify what makes your products or services different from those of your competitors, and use that to market yourself better than they do. This could mean focusing on specific customer needs, offering specialized expertise or providing top quality customer service.
2. Network strategically
As a minority business owner, it is important to focus on building strong relationships with stakeholders who not only understand your plight but are also willing to back you up financially or act as mentors or advisors. Take time to attend industry events related to entrepreneurship or small business growth and leverage those connections for future success!
3. Leverage storytelling
Storytelling is vital for any business looking to stand out from the crowd, but it’s even more important for minority entrepreneurs hoping to cut through long standing stereotypes and misconceptions about their product or service. Make sure your story conveys why people should buy from you over other suppliers – emphasizing which values are embodied in each transaction will help establish a connection with customers who share similar beliefs and values.
4. Think outside the box
While traditional methods of marketing might work when trying to reach certain demographics, don’t be afraid to get creative! Try hosting seminars online, involving local influencers in campaigns or utilizing social media platforms like Instagram or TikTok – all these strategies can help draw attention towards your products/services and make ends meet while growing sustainably!
By following these tips, black entrepreneurs will be able to give themselves the best chance possible of succeeding in any industry regardless of their background! With hard work and dedication, success is achievable – so don’t be discouraged from pursuing what matters most!
In the UK, minority communities are underrepresented in the business world. According to research conducted by the Institute for Fiscal Studies, only one percent of all businesses in the UK are owned by people from black and ethnic minorities – meaning that black-owned businesses are at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to competing against larger enterprises and gaining access to resources they need.
Mentorship is an essential tool that can help empower these minority business owners and provide them with the guidance they need to succeed in their respective fields. Here are some of the benefits of mentorship for black-owned businesses:
Access to Insights – By having a mentor who has already been through the process of establishing a successful business, entrepreneurs can gain valuable insight into best practices and strategies as well as having someone to talk with and lean on during challenging times. Mentors can also provide advice on navigating difficult legal or financial challenges and offer constructive feedback on ideas being pursued before they’re put into action.
Supportive Networks – A good mentor will introduce you to other influential contacts within your industry, creating opportunities for collaboration, additional funding, or even job placements or internships in which you could benefit from their extensive knowledge base. Networking with peers brings unique challenges but mentors often provide invaluable advice on how to approach it effectively.
Improved Confidence – It’s not uncommon for owners of small business or startups to feel overwhelmed by fear or self-doubt; this type of anxiety becomes more pronounced when navigating an industry heavily dominated by white/male professionals which is why many feel like having someone offering support can be extremely reassuring during this period – giving reassurance that everything is progressing as expected and providing encouragement when needed!
Mentorship provides much needed guidance, resources, connections and confidence that aspiring entrepreneurs need when starting out – especially those belonging to minority groups who are often kept at a disadvantage due to historical discrimination. Finding a mentor who has gone through similar milestones can be incredibly beneficial in helping navigate any obstacles encountered along the way!
Marketing plays an essential role in helping businesses of all shapes and sizes gain visibility and attract customers. As a black-owned business in the UK, it’s important to understand and make use of effective marketing techniques that can help promote your services or products to the right target audiences.
1. Leverage Social Media Marketing
Creating social media accounts on platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are great strategies to reach potential customers, build relationships with them over time, create engagement through content and also showcase your business as an active establishment which people can trust.
2. Utilize Networking Events
Attending networking events related to your industry is a great way to make connections with professionals who could potentially become valuable contacts for gaining extra exposure for the business. Additionally, Meeting new people who have insight into their respective fields can be incredibly helpful when it comes to formulating fresh ideas for future projects!
3. Employ Word-of-Mouth Techniques
It’s always beneficial to employ word of mouth tactics such as offering discounts or incentives for those who refer friends or family members; this serves as a great way to generate additional leads while simultaneously promoting awareness of your business among potential consumers – making sure that there’s no shortage of clients lining up at doorstep!
4. Focus on Content Marketing
Content often remains one of the most effective ways to connect with target audiences; whether it be writing blog posts about topics related to industry or creating podcasts/videos that offer unique perspectives – content marketing can be an incredibly powerful tool for creating an audience around the brand and establishing yourself as a leader in this space!
By utilizing these marketing strategies, black businesses in the UK can enjoy increased visibility, improved customer base and better presence within their respective industries – aiding them on their journey towards success!