6 Common Mistakes Small Business Owners Should Avoid

Starting your own business takes patience and perseverance. It also requires adequate research and planning. Unfortunately, people make mistakes along the way. Thankfully, you can learn from those mistakes. As you start your entrepreneurial journey, here are some common missteps you should avoid.

1. Not Creating a Business or Marketing Plan

Every small business owner needs a business plan to stay on track and a marketing strategy to bring in new customers. Without either, your business will likely fall off track, and operations could turn to chaos. Take the time to create your business plan, including financial projections and funding research. Also, create a marketing strategy, starting with social media and branding efforts.

2. Not Using Tech When You Need It

The ultimate goal for any small business owner is to see growth. When your business starts to expand, you need to be ready to delegate or find ways to help. For example, many small business owners make the mistake of not taking advantage of business technology. As demand for your product or service grows, you can use inventory management software or a project management program to help you boost profits and stay organized. If you conduct any business online or accept electronic forms of payment, you need cybersecurity to keep your business and your customers safe. Consider what tech could help your business and budget for it.

3. Doing Business With the Wrong People

There are a number of mistakes you can make when picking a business partner. For example, allowing personal relationships to cloud your business judgment could tumble your operation. Avoid hiring or partnering with your friends. Stick to partners with proven success who can bring something valuable to the business.

4. Choosing the Wrong Business Structure

When you first register your business, the type of business entity you choose is extremely important. If you have a partner, what kind of liability protection do you need for your business partnership? If you plan to grow and eventually sell stocks, should you register as a corporation now or wait until the business grows? The best choice is the structure that suits your business goals. For many new entrepreneurs, a Colorado LLC is a great choice, since it’s easy to set up, offers tax advantage, and protects your personal assets from your business dealings.

5. Setting Unrealistic Goals

Financial projections are a critical part of your business plan. Your obvious goal is to offset startup costs and start making a profit as quickly as possible, but you can't rush it just by setting unrealistic goals. Carefully evaluate your business's capabilities and set your goals from there. You can't know the future, but you can plan properly. Research shows most small businesses typically need three to four years to turn a profit.

6. Trying to Get Rich Quickly

To build a successful business, you need patience and the willingness to learn. Sometimes, entrepreneurs jump too quickly into starting a business without understanding exactly what it takes. If you're concerned about your business knowledge, consider going back to school to earn an MBA. You'll learn all the critical components of running a business, including marketing, accounting, and human capital management. You'll even start with the basics of economics. Additionally, you can find many online programs that allow you to earn your degree while working and balancing your home life.

Now that you know a few things you shouldn't do when starting your small business, keep in mind that making mistakes isn't always avoidable. There is a certain level of risk associated with starting your own business. It's important to learn those lessons and push forward.

Learn from your fellow entrepreneurs in our beautiful community by joining the Evergreen Area Chamber of Commerce.