Starting a business is generally not easy and starting one alone is even harder. From choosing the right business for you, through drafting a business plan, and all the way to implementing your ideas, it is an uncertain journey that scares even someone with an undoubtedly brilliant idea. Having to walk that path alone is a bold step. Still, many have walked it and some are yet to. You have no reason to worry about starting alone when you’ve played your part earnestly in the preparation stages.
Think of anything you have seen all around you, from the smallest to the biggest projects of the past and the present. Some of them are discussed in the biggest boardrooms in the world, while some take hundreds of people to implement. No matter how big or small the activity, they all have one thing in common; they start with one person who thought of an idea and shared with others who then helped develop and implement it. Probably, some were even not sure if they were ever going to be taken seriously after sharing the idea. Some are ridiculed to the point of giving up only for someone else to pick up from where they left and benefit from the same idea.
As much as it is sometimes advisable to partner with others when working on your goals, there are some instances where working by yourself can take you to greater heights. And, even with projects that should involve other people, you might need to start by yourself in order for others to understand your idea and your commitment to it. Starting alone does not necessarily mean you go through everything on your own. It would be wiser to humble yourself and seek help when you need it.
Why starting alone isn’t a bad idea
1. It gives you control over your journey – finding the right people to work with is not easy. Even when you succeed in finding them, there is a possibility of clashes related to how things are to be handled including who you involve in the journey and how. You might find yourself having to compromise on principle for the sake of progress. Decision making is also more complicated when you are working with a team.
2. You know what you are doing and why you are doing it – it may not be easy to convince others why you think your idea will work. If you do manage to convince them, they may not be as committed as you are to it. This can make you doubt your abilities and the feasibility of your ideas. Having a reason pushes you to work harder.
3. Dealing with obstacles – people deal with obstacles differently. Some people easily give up while some persevere. It is easier to fix up your mess when you are responsible for it and you are not expecting input from anyone else. However, when there are other people involved, you will have to nurse their emotions as well while there is also a chance that some may give up and you are left in the middle of nowhere with a vision as big as a group of brains that came together to implement it.
4. Distractions – when working with others especially people who are close to you, it is easy to get distracted. Although risks are split, some may take the business lightly and use resources for personal use to the extent of affecting the business’ profitability. It is also easier for friends to not show up to work and meetings as they expect you to understand their situations. Other founding members may relax and not do much hoping that someone else will take care of things. Productivity is increased when you know everything depends on you.
What you need to keep in mind;
1. Research – before you go on to implement your ideas, make it a point that you do enough research to find the right place for your business, know your competition, and as well as other market-related assessments.
2. You will need help – although the business is yours, it is wise to surround yourself with other people who are in business and learn from them. Find a mentor who will guide and help you turn your dreams into reality. The upside to this is that after you have had conversations with other business people and your mentor, you are the one to choose what to and what not to take based on what you believe your business needs.
3. Prepare yourself mentally – keep in mind the fact that the road may not be smooth and be ready to deal with the obstacles. Make it your mantra that no matter what happens, you keep going forward.
4. Make sure your idea and funds match – don’t bite more than you can chew. Take it one step at a time, start with what you can afford and grow from there. Taking loans puts your personal assets at risk. Therefore, where you need to take a loan, make sure you take what you can afford to pay back.
5. You will need to be innovative – the business world and the needs of your customers change with time. You will need to find ways to keep improving and to stay relevant.
Peace, Love & Prosperity!
Mario Sousa
Heart-Centered Leadership
My team and I are on a mission to lead other like-minded, heart-centered leaders that are ready to make a bigger impact in their personal lives, their communities and around the world. Please review the information below and reach out to me personally with any questions you might have. The future looks extremely bright, if you see what I see, let's work together.