How To Become a Business Owner in 10 Easy Steps
By Julija A.
August 15, 2024
The post-pandemic world has brought dramatic changes to the business landscape. Many brick-and-mortar businesses have closed their doors for good, while others have shifted to an online presence. Starting a business is easier than ever before, and there are many opportunities for those with an entrepreneurial spirit.
If you’ve been thinking about starting your own business, now is the time to take the plunge. But where do you start? We’ve gathered tips and tricks on how to become a business owner to get you started on the right path.
1. Define Your Niche
The first step to starting any business is to identify your target market. Who are you selling to? What need does your product or service fill? Make sure to brainstorm your general goals for the business, as well as specific marketing strategies that will help you reach your target audience.
Once you’ve defined your niche, it’s time to research the competition. See what businesses are already out there serving your target market. What are they doing well? What could they improve upon?
Finally, if you are interested in how to become an owner of a business, you should start by identifying the gaps in the market. In that way, you’ll create a unique selling proposition for your business.
2. Decide on a Type of Proprietorship
Now that you’ve determined what business you’d like to start and done thorough market research tools for small business, it’s time to choose a career path. Do you want to be a solopreneur or build a team? Are you interested in starting a franchise or an independent business? The options are endless, and the decision should be based on your specific goals and skill set. The three main ways to kick-start your company are:
Purchasing an Existing Business
This is the quickest way to become a business owner, but it comes with some risks. Existing businesses come with a customer base, employees, and established systems. However, becoming a small business owner this way also means that you’ll inherit the company’s debts and liabilities. If you’re looking to take on an existing business, make sure to do your due diligence and understand all the financial risks involved.
Starting a Franchise
Franchises offer the opportunity to be your own boss while also benefiting from the support of a larger company. When you start a franchise, you’re purchasing the right to use the company’s name, logo, and marketing materials. You’ll also receive training on how to run the business and access to the company’s supplier network, in case you don’t know how to become a business franchise owner.
The downside of franchises is that you’ll have less control over your business, and you’ll be required to pay royalties to the franchisor.
Launching a New Company From Scratch
This is the most challenging way to become a business owner, but it also offers the most growth potential. If you’re starting a business from scratch, you’ll need to generate your own funding, build a team of employees, and create a new brand. While this option is riskier, it also gives you complete control over your business.
3. Draft a Business Plan
Having a business idea isn’t enough. Before you venture into finding out how to become a successful business owner, you should first put together a business plan. This document will serve as a roadmap for your business, outlining your short- and long-term goals, strategies for marketing and growth, and details about your financial projections.
Your business plan should be as specific and detailed as possible. Include information on your target market, product or service, pricing strategy, and expected profits. Don’t forget to include a detailed marketing plan, which will outline how you plan to generate awareness for your business and attract customers.
4. Find Ways to Secure Funds
Unfortunately, we can’t provide you with ideas on how to become a business owner with no money. In fact, according to statistics, 20% of small businesses fail within the first year. One of the main reasons for this is a lack of capital. Before starting your business, you need to find ways to secure funding. There are a number of options available, including loans, grants, and investment capital.
It is ideal for a small business owner to secure enough funds to cover three to six months of expenses before getting started on their business ownership journey. Once you start, you’ll have to find a way to keep the business afloat with operating expenses. Some of the ways you can do this include:
- Using your own funds
- Obtaining venture capital from investors
- Visiting crowdfunding sites
- Taking out a small business loan
5. Choose a Name and Location
If you’re researching how to become a legal business owner, you’ll have to choose a proper name for your business. Keep in mind that your business name should be reflective of your brand and what you do. Make sure to protect the name of your company and the domain name by trademarking it.
You’ll also need to choose a business location. If you’re starting an online business, you can work from anywhere in the world. However, if you’re starting a brick-and-mortar business, you’ll need to find a physical space to rent or purchase. Consider the local regulations and zoning laws in your area to find a location compliant with all the legal requirements.
6. Choose a Business Structure
Successful business owners understand the importance of choosing the right business structure. The type of business you’re starting will dictate the legal structure you should choose. This will further determine the legal and financial liability of your business. The most common business structures include sole proprietorships, partnerships, limited liability companies (LLCs), and corporations.
Sole Proprietorship
A sole proprietorship is the simplest and most common type of business structure. It’s owned and operated by one person, and there’s no legal distinction between the owner and the business.
Partnership
A partnership is a business structure that involves two or more people. Before we delve deeper into how to become a part-owner of a business, we should explain that partnerships can be either general or limited. In a general partnership, all partners are equally liable for the debts and obligations of the business. In a limited partnership, there is at least one partner who has unlimited liability and one or more partners who have limited liability.
LLC
A limited liability company (LLC) is a business structure that offers personal liability protection to its owners. LLCs can be either single-member LLCs (owned by one person) or multi-member LLCs (owned by two or more people). Choose one of the top-rated LLC services and outsource LLC formation and ongoing compliance to experienced agents.
Corporation
Finally, if you’ve been wondering how to become a business owner within a corporation, you should get familiar with what a corporation is. A corporation is a business structure that offers limited liability protection to its shareholders. Corporations can be either for-profit or nonprofit. Additionally, an S corporation is a special type of corporation that offers tax benefits to its shareholders.
7. Register Your Business
Once you have a business plan in place, it’s time to register your business officially. If you’re not sure how to become a licensed business owner, you can consult with an attorney or accountant for help. This process will vary depending on the type of business you’re starting and your location.
In most cases, you’ll need to choose a legal structure for your business and obtain a business license or permit. You’ll also need to open a business bank account and obtain any necessary insurance for your small business. These steps will help you get started on the right foot and ensure that your company is compliant with all local, state, and federal laws.
8. Open a Business Bank Account
One of the last steps to take to become a business owner is to open a business bank account with a reliable bank that deals with small businesses. This is a separate account from your personal one and is used to track the income and expenses of your company. The most common business accounts are savings accounts, credit card accounts, merchant services accounts, and checking accounts for small business owners.
Most banks will require you to have a federal employer identification number (EIN) before they open a business account for you. You should also provide them with your business’s formation documents, ownership agreements, and a business license.
9. Hire Team Members
Knowing how to become a small business owner isn’t enough – you also need to know how to run your business effectively. If you’re starting out, chances are you won’t be able to do it all on your own. You’ll need to build a team of employees, contractors, or freelancers to help you with the day-to-day operations.
When hiring team members, it’s essential to consider the skills and experience they bring to the table. You’ll also want to ensure they’re a good fit for your company culture.
Once you’ve built your team, it’s important to manage them effectively. This includes setting clear expectations, providing feedback, and offering incentives for good performance. By taking the time to build a strong team, you’ll set your business up for success.
10. Develop a Marketing Plan
Being a business owner means wearing many hats. One of the most important hats you’ll wear is that of a marketer. As the face of your business, it’s your job to generate interest in your products or services and convert that interest into sales.
The best way to do this is to develop a marketing plan. This plan should include a mix of online and marketing tactics, such as search engine optimization, content marketing, social media marketing, and traditional advertising. You can hire one of the many email marketing services to create and execute your marketing plan for you.
What Do You Need to Become a Successful Business Owner?
Success doesn’t come overnight. It takes time, dedication, and hard work. You’ll need a clear vision, a strong team, and a comprehensive marketing plan. You’ll also need to constantly learn and grow, monitor your progress, and make adjustments as needed.
You can acquire certain soft skills through formal education, such as leadership and communication. Also, many online resources, such as Coursera and Udemy, offer affordable business courses. For example, if you want to learn more about marketing, you can take some online courses in digital marketing.
However, in most cases, you won’t need a business degree to start a business; knowing how to become a business owner is more important. You can pick the knowledge you need to run a business through the work experience you have gained.
Some people are born entrepreneurs, while others develop the skills over time. If you have the drive and determination to succeed, you can become a successful business owner regardless of your formal qualifications.
Final Thoughts
Becoming a business owner requires hard work and dedication. But with the right knowledge and tools, it can be an enriching experience.
By following our tips for business owners who are just starting their entrepreneurship journey, you’ll be well on your way to success. Just remember that running a business is not a sprint – it’s a marathon. So take your time, build a strong foundation, and continuously learn and grow.