Using Family Resources to Help Start a Business and Make it Successful
Concentrating on establishing a business can be hard; especially if your current duties include childcare. Enlisting the help of a family member or trusted friend to help with childcare can allow you time to concentrate on starting a business. Be sure though, not to take advantage of the help. Yes, you need to start a business; but do not alienate or upset your family. Offer a trade-off for help. Consider having designated childcare days to watch each other’s children, or if there are no children involved, offer to perform a service equivalent to the one you are receiving.
To start a successful business, the product or service offered has to be needed and desired. Enlist family and friends to listen to your business proposal and provide feedback. This is a great cost-saving measure, as the need to pay for a focus group is eliminated. Write down any suggestions and implement them into your revised business plan. Be sure to have more than one feedback session, as updated ideas can be discussed each time your business’ plan changes.
Finally, if looking to start a business, don’t forget the volunteers. From having a specialized skill to help build your business, to aiding in advertising and marketing activities; using family members as volunteers can help eliminate the need for start-up employee costs. Older children can help distribute flyers, clean-up work areas and pass out samples/coupons at in-person events. Even if unable to help, family members may still be able to help startup a business with personal recommendations and contacts relating to your business’ needs. Be sure to treat family members well and do something extra special for them: take them out to lunch, offer to perform household chores as a trade-off or even offer them a paid position; should the business require the hiring of an employee.
By having friends and family members support your business, a potential small business owner can startup a business while spending more family time together.
By: Dustin Heath
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