How To Start Your Own Business: 5 Steps For First-Time Investors

Do you want to know how to start your own business? Which small business systems can you count on to get the ball rolling?

Investing in real estate, as far as I am concerned, is one of the most lucrative endeavors entrepreneurs can set out on. It’s not a coincidence that a majority of the most wealthy people in America have their hands in real estate in one way or another. That said, turning real estate into a viable business strategy requires a lot more than blind ambition.

This industry has limitless potential, but only for those that are willing to make the commitment. In order to realize what real estate has to offer, you must treat it like the business it is. While it is entirely possible to flip a property or two on occasion, the benefits of real estate investing aren’t fully realized until you approach the industry from a business perspective.

If you want to realize unparalleled success within the real estate industry, you need to know how to start your own business. If for nothing else, a business model will enable entrepreneurs to systemize the entire process; proven results will come to be expect with the right systems in place.

If you are interested in starting your own real estate business, there are certain things you will be held accountable for. Nobody is going to hold your hand and walk you through the process, so it helps if you know what to expect. Don’t start your own business until you have familiarized yourself with the following:

How To Start Your Own Business

The prospect of running your own company is as rewarding as it is challenging, but there are a few things you should understand before starting your own business. Let’s take a look at some of the most important steps you are held accountable for when setting off on your own real estate venture.

1. Are You Ready To Be An Entrepreneur?

In deciding whether or not you are ready to start your own business, you must determine if the life of an entrepreneur is right for you. For as exciting as the prospect of becoming an entrepreneur may be for some, the road to starting your own business is challenging; it takes commitment and determination to see things through to the end. Consequently, neglecting to remain diligent in your efforts will ensure your career ends sooner rather than later. You must be prepared for the road ahead.

Before you even think about starting your own business, be sure that you are mentally prepared for what is in store. While everyone has the potential to become an entrepreneur, there are certain skill sets and characteristics that make the transition a lot easier. Arm yourself with the right tools to become a small business owner. Below you will find the foundational characteristics an entrepreneur should exhibit:

• Risk Appetite: Entrepreneurs must be comfortable taking calculated risks. If for nothing else, venturing off to start a business is a calculated risk in and of itself.
• Independence: Entrepreneurs are tasked with making a lot of important decisions, and should therefore be comfortable with the ensuing responsibility. That said, entrepreneurs should be able to trust their instincts and act independently from others in the industry.
• Confidence: Entrepreneurs must exhibit a degree of confidence that isn’t off-putting, but rather encouraging. Becoming a small business owner requires an inherent ability to convince; people must feel comfortable working with you and for what you believe in.
• Negotiate: Those in charge of running a company are more than aware of the benefits that have become synonymous proper negotiation tactics. A polished negotiator is entirely capable of saving money and facilitating a functioning business.
• Express Creativity: The ability to think outside of the box can’t be underestimated. As an entrepreneur, you will need to come up with new ideas to keep your business alive and well.
• Support System: Entrepreneurship is by no means a task that is meant to be tackled alone. While you are solely responsible for how well your business does, it doesn’t mean you can’t enlist the help of others. In fact, before you even consider starting your own business, be sure to have a strong support system in place. At the very least, find a business mentor to help you through the early stages of your entrepreneurial endeavors.

If you think you have what it takes to commit to the lifestyle of an entrepreneur and want to know how to start your own business, look no further. Only once you are comfortable becoming an entrepreneur can I encourage you to move on to the next step.

2. Write A Business Plan

One thing, perhaps more so than any other, is capable of allowing entrepreneurs to get their business up and running: a sound business plan. More specifically, small business systems that have a proven track record are essential to a company’s success. Nothing, for that matter, is more important to a budding business professional than the foundation he or she will base their entire career on. If you want to learn how to start your own business, there isn’t a better place to start than from the ground up. I encourage every aspiring entrepreneur to learn how to write a business plan.

A business plan is a predetermined blueprint for the future of your respective company. It is, more or less, a road map to follow on the path to business success. Provided it was written well, a business plan is fully capable of pointing your business in the right direction.

It is important to note, however, that business plans are constantly evolving, and should adapt to the business it is in reference to. The average business plan accounts for the present and forecasts somewhere in the neighborhood of three to five years. What’s more, proper business plans should highlight how a company intends to scale up.

If you want to know how to start your own business, first identify what it takes to write a business plan:

• Executive Summary: The first part of a business plan, the executive summary serves as a snapshot of your company as a whole. Don’t hesitate to mention company goals and why you are in business in the first place.
• Company Description: What do you do? What makes you stand out from the competition? Which markets are you intent on serving? Outline your company’s elevator pitch in this section.
• Market Analysis: Don’t attempt to run a business in a specific market without knowing where it stands. Research local industry, market and competitor trends.
• Organization & Management: Outline how your business will be organized and who will be managing what.
• Service & Product Line: Break down the product or service you are offering. What are you selling and how can it benefit others? It is impossible to know how to start your own business if you can’t get what it is you offer into the hands of consumers.
• Marketing & Sales: Break down how you intend to market your product to consumers.
• Funding: Not all entrepreneurs are financially capable of starting a business without financial backing. If you need a loan, identify what you will need to receive approval and how it will impact your bottom line.
• Financial Projections:Receiving funding will only be possible if you are able to justify your company is worth investing in. Provide financial projections with data to prove your business is viable.

3. Identify The Structure Of Your Business

Learning how to start your own business will require a few tax tips for real estate investors. Before you decide on a structure for your real estate company, consult with a professional that can give you a better idea of which direction to take. Below you will find a simple breakdown of the most common ways to structure a business:

• Sole Proprietorship: Otherwise known as the most basic business structure, a sole proprietorship will witness a single owner take sole responsibility for respective assets and liabilities.
• Limited Liability Company (LLC): LLCs are one of the most popular business structures for real estate investors. If for nothing else, they combine the limited liability features of a corporation with the tax efficiencies of a partnership.
• Cooperative: Cooperative business structures are typically formed to meet a collective need.
• Corporation: Corporate structures are reserved for larger companies and are generally more complex.
• Partnership: Partnership structures depend on the nature of the partnership, but can be beneficial to those who need them.
• S Corporation: An S corporation, not unlike a C corporation, is reserved for larger companies, but you are taxed only on the personal level.

Again, speak with a profession before you decide on how to structure your own business. It is important to note, however, that each structure coincides with different tax and legal implications. Determine which one will benefit your company the most and move forward.

4. Choose & Register Your Business Name

Once you have decided which business structure will represent your company, decide on a business name and register it. Doing so is an portent step in legally operating a business, and might even make you eligible to receive financial aid from the government.

First things first; now is where you will want to choose a business name. I encourage you to take this step very seriously, as a business name caries lofty expectations. The ramifications of your decision will last for the duration of your career, and shouldn’t be taken lightly. If for nothing else, it will be the first impression your company gives off; make sure it’s a good one.

When deciding on a real estate company name, consider the following:

• Do not use words and phrases that may confuse potential customers or pigeonhole your intentions. There should’t be any questions about what your business does. Be sure your company name answers more questions than it asks.
• The best real estate names draw from inspiration. Why are you investing? What do you value above all else?
• Spend time picking a name; it’s not something that should happen in a few minutes. In fact, conduct a lot of research to ensure the name you pick is the perfect fit. This is also a great way to find out which names are already taken.
• Before you pick a name, make sure you can establish a web presence with it. Make sure web domains are free and that you can brand your company name on social media platforms.

Once you have landed on a company name, you must register it in compliance with the law. Unless you use your personal name, you will need to register your company’s name with the correct authorities. What’s more, this name will be used to identify your business on all government forms and applications. This process is known as registering your “Doing Business As” (DBA) name. Depending on where your business is located, it can either be registered through your county clerk’s office or state government.

5. Acquire Business Licenses & Permits

Aren’t you glad you decided you wanted to learn how to start your own business? I did mention it wasn’t easy to run your own company. That said, there is one more step to consider when starting your own company. Only once you have registered your company name with the correct authorities can you proceed to acquire the licenses and permits you need.

You will need to remain diligent in your efforts to run a legitimate business and file for a business license or permit on your own accord. Consequently, there is a fine for operating a business without them. Find out which state and federal permits your region of operation will require, as every location has different criteria.

Licenses, on the other hand, serve other purposes; they are primarily issued so that the government may track revenues and taxation. However, they are also a form of reassurance for the general public. People typically like seeing that a place is licensed, even if they don’t know what it means. Some licenses, for that matter, identify the level of expertise that an employee or business owner has. If you want to learn how to start your own business, do not neglect the proper licensing and permitting steps outlined above.

In learning how to start your own business, you will uncover a slew of steps that must be taken in order to experience legitimate success. The actions I outlined above represent some of the largest hurdles young entrepreneurs face when starting out, but are by no means the only ones. These first five steps will put you on the right track, and will serve as the foundation for your real estate career moving forward.