How to Plan Your Dream Business in an 8-Hour Workday
Guest post by author Sharon Redd
Entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart. You must be willing to take risks, face adversity, and believe in yourself before your customers even know your name and product. That being said, there are several tips and tricks you can use to make the launching process easier. We Are Charette invites you to consider the information and actionable steps below to create your dream business and plan its launch within an eight-hour workday.
1. 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.: Decide on a Business Name and Structure
Will you be selling goods online or offering freelance writing services to your community? Decide upon an appropriate, catchy name and file your LLC Florida online with a formation service. Doing so will allow you to avoid lawyer fees and obtain your tax filing information quickly. Be sure to check with your state for extra regulations as all areas have slightly different requirements.
2. 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.: Designate Company Roles
If you're a solopreneur, your company role is easy to understand: You'll be doing most of the legwork aside from when you outsource specific jobs to freelancers. If you're going into business with a partner, things may be trickier. Don't make assumptions and clearly outline everyone's job duties.
3. 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.: Write a Simple Business Plan
Smartsheet notes that writing a business plan is one of the most important actions you can take before your launch. It doesn't have to be perfect: Focus on the basics and keep in mind that you will add to this plan as you grow your business. In it, you will include sources of revenue, marketing ideas, and expected return on investment information.
4. 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.: Open Your Business Bank Account
Similar to creating an LLC and separating business finances from personal ones, you should open a separate checking account for this business. Order checks that display your business name and address. Consider opening a credit card for upcoming expenses as well.
5. 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.: Decide How Many Employees You Will Need
After creating your company structure and business plan, you (and any partners) may notice gaps in your system. Decide whether you will need additional employees such as a graphic designer, customer support professional, or receptionist.
6. 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.: Select Business Insurance and Benefits for Your Team
If you plan on offering full-time roles to others, consider what benefits they will need. There are many resources, including Healthcare.gov, that assist small business employers in choosing the right plans.
7. 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.: Create a Website and Social Media
Every new business needs a professionally designed website and social media pages. If this area is not your forte, you may need to hire a graphic designer or a social media specialist for help. Work with a well-reputed designer or studio like We Are Charette for the development of brand identity, logo, packaging and web. It’s easy to get a fast job done cheap with services like 99 Designs, but if you’re serious about your company, you know it’s worth the time and investment to get it right the first time with a professional.
8. 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.: Develop a Marketing Strategy
Finally, you should expand upon the marketing strategy you outlined in your business plan during your morning meeting. Create actionable goals for your team members and yourself. You may wish to start engaging customers on social media. Accion Opportunity Fund suggests offering customers seasonal deals and purchasing ad space to promote your business online.
Take a day to schedule these tasks with your business partner or team. While the above list is not necessarily a complete breakdown of everything you should do before you launch a business, it will get you started and push you in the direction of success.
If you’re looking to either begin or improve your branding and packaging strategy, designers at We Are Charette can help you get to the next level. Reach out today.
Sharon Redd created Live All the Way to help others live life to the ABSOLUTE FULLEST. She believes life all the way is a life with all the toppings! It’s ordering guacamole and queso at the restaurant. It’s wearing those bright pink shoes, no matter what anyone else thinks. It’s using your formal china for every meal and hugging your friends every time you see them. It’s eating ice cream for breakfast and so much more. Her goal, each and every day, is to live all the way and her mission is to help others do the same.