We’re going to assume that, reading this article, you are a savvy creative type who’s been thinking of starting a business for a while. Only, perhaps you haven’t got quite all the steps lined up yet. Perhaps you’re even afraid to get the ball rolling in case it ends up rolling off the side of the cliff with a splat. Well, put that behind you. We’re going to look at how you stop being afraid of success.
So you have an idea or a passion that you could monetize with the right push. So how come you haven’t started already? As soon as you identify an idea you think you make money from, start taking action to make it a reality. We don’t mean getting out there and selling it immediately. Look up business plans. Get an idea of production costs. Find out what it would take to be profitable.
As an entrepreneur, you’re going to be shaking a lot of hands. So it’s time to start thinking about how you approach and deal with people. Professional dress is a big topic. The suited and booted look is not an invention solely for white men, so don’t be afraid to rock it if it gives you that professional edge.
There is no doubt that that minority business owners face some extra challenges. When you’re starting a business, getting the right connections is crucial. We understand that you might want to seek the support of people from your community. From those who might be more inclined to see the benefit in giving that support. So consider looking up things like a black business directory. Connections are important, so you can’t ignore the need to build on them.
Connections are important, but so is self-determination. You’re going to need a lot of that to learn what goes into actually running a business. You don’t necessarily have to fork out for an education. From this site to places like Entrepreneur and similar sites, there is advice for all kinds of business topics. From accounting and employing people to legal issues you’re likely to face. You’re going to need to do a lot of reading up before you launch your business.
The reading you do is about facilitating the business idea. The idea itself has to come from you. So it’s important to look for inspiration. You might know the product or service you want to deliver, but others can help you discover the best ways to do that. Think outside the box. Think about novelty or needs of the market that aren’t being met yet. Add some unique value to your idea.
The right look, the right connections, the right role models and the right idea. It might sound like a lot of work, but you’re going to need to have all of this in the world of business. It’s best you start getting to work on it now.
Black and Latinx Founders featured in 'Founding in Color'