How Do you Go From Employee To Self-Employed?

It is no secret that these have been tough times the past few years, but even so, the idea of becoming self-employed and starting a business can sound daunting and expensive. Yet it need not be either. In fact, what it can also be is interesting and exciting and fun, especially if you know what to expect and what you are doing.

The 7-Step Path To Self-Employment

Here is what to expect and how to go from employee to self-employed:
1: Personal evaluation: Begin by taking stock of yourself and your situation. What skills do you have that are transferable and what industries do you know best?
Consider too:

• Whether you might want to sell a service or a product
• How much money you are willing to risk
• What do you love doing so much that you would like to do it every day

Your answers to these sorts of questions will help you focus and pick a business. If you don’t know what sort of business you want to start, here are a few tricks of the trade:

• Drive down the street and notice what businesses catch your eye
• Go to trade shows
• Google an industry of interest and see the many sorts of businesses are out there

What you are looking for is something that would be interesting to you, which utilizes your skills, that is not too expensive, and which has potential for growth. Make a list and narrow your choices down.
2: Analyze the business: Once you have some idea of a business that fits your goals and lifestyle, the next step is to analyze your idea. Who will be your customers? Who will be your competition?
3: Make it legal: There are several ways to form a business:

• It could be a sole proprietorship
• It could be a partnership
• It could be a limited liability company (LLC)
• Or it could be a corporation.

Generally speaking, the latter two options are preferable because they limit your personal liability and create a business that is separate and apart from you. You will also need to get the proper business licenses and permits from your city, county, and/or state. Start with your city business office and see what they recommend. You should also check out your insurance options, and find a good accountant and lawyer to be on your team.
4: Draft a business plan: If you will be seeking outside financing from friends, relatives, investors, or a bank, a business plan is a necessity. But even if you are going to self-finance the venture, drafting a business plan will help you figure out

• How much money you will need
• What roadblocks to be on the lookout for
• How long it should take before becoming profitable

It is like a pilot’s flight plan – a business plan helps you figure out how you are going to get from here to there.
5: Get financed: Most small businesses begin with money from savings, credit cards, personal loans, help from family, friends, and do on. You should also check out Small Business Administration (SBA) guaranteed loans. These loans, administered by banks, offer great terms. (Steve’s book, Get Your Business Funded, Creative Ways to Get the Money You Need lists 25 different sources for start-up funding.)
6: Set up shop: This is the fun stuff:

• Find a location
• Negotiate the lease
• Decorate
• Get phone lines and the Internet installed
• Throw a “Grand Opening” party

7: Trial and error: It will take awhile to figure out what works and what does not. Make a mistake and learn from it. Follow your business plan, but be flexible. Advertise and market, and then do it some more. You have to let people know you are out there.
Most of all, have fun. Becoming self-employed is one of the great experiences in life!
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