If you’re looking to start a business, then you might be wondering about the most cost-effective and lean ways to do it, perhaps with the aims of bootstrapping it yourself. As lean as you might want to get, however, there are some expenses that are essential. Here, we’re going to look at where you might have no choice to spend a little.
The plan
First of all, you should have a business plan. Even if you’re not applying for funding, a good business plan helps you set the direction for the business, outlining not just its operations, but also the objectives and goals you can use as guiding principles as it grows.
Starting the business itself
Depending on the type of business you want to run, you’re going to have some costs for filing the actual formation of the business yourself. To help you get everything you need in place, there are company formation services that you can use to take care of it all for you. Don’t just opt for the cheapest structure options, either. Consider the pros and cons of each, from a sole proprietorship to a limited liability company.
The equipment
What equipment are you going to need to do the work that keeps the business afloat? This might include tools, machinery, and safety equipment for manual work, but don’t neglect to include the digital, such as computers, other hardware, and the software tools you might need. Even for a home business running off a single desktop, you might need to consider the software costs of any tools that you’ll be using.
The website
Regardless of what type of business you’re running, even one that’s run from home, you’re going to need a website. Websites can help you build your brand, attract customers, and give you a platform through which you can sell your goods and services. To that end, there are website builders that can help you get them up and running with little investment, but you have to consider the costs of hosting the site, as well.
The products
If you’re selling services that you provide, then you might be able to skip this entirely. Otherwise, think about how you’re going to source your products, whether you’re buying them from a supplier or you’re manufacturing them yourselves and how much you need to invest in to have a minimum viable product. If you can’t sell that much, then you can’t get your business profitable.
The employees
Now, many businesses can start with no need for workers other than the owner but, if you are planning for growth, this is not sustainable. As such, you need to think about how many employees your startup is going to have and, what’s more, how much you are likely to need to spend to hire them. Employees are often amongst the most expensive investments a business can make, so plan carefully.
With the tips above, hopefully, you can find the way to start your business without breaking your bank, potentially preventing yourself from needing a hefty loan.
