Moving overseas was the catalyst for me to starting a small business of my own in my 30’s. While starting something new at this age has its own challenges – I’ve found it to be a stretching, personally developing and extremely rewarding experience.
But I also found myself a little lost in navigating the world of starting, and growing, a small business from scratch – especially having built my industry career working for companies for over a decade. Owning and operating your own small business is an entirely different game.
If you’re in your 30’s and have made the switch (for whatever reason) to get into small business – first of all, welcome and congratulations! From my experience, it’s a very brave step. I want to do all I can to pass on what I’ve learned, and help take the pressure off just a little bit.
So, I’ve come up with the top five things I think every 30-something should do when starting a small business – after having started mine. Let’s go!
1. Find a small business community
Whether online or in-person, joining a network of other small business owners can offer support and help you grow. I have found communities around the world to be welcoming, inclusive, full of advice and very motivational. Plus, if your small business is super small (you’re a one-man or one-woman show) a healthy community can offer friendship and daily personal connection, too.
2. Identify your small business strengths (and weaknesses!)
I found it important to sit down, be honest with myself, and identify the strong skills I could bring to operating my small business, and listing the areas where I was weaker. You won’t be skilled at every area of your business – especially if you’ve transitioned out of a full-time employee role where you have worked hard to build a niche set of skills – so be honest and identify where you should focus, and where you should outsource.
3. Develop a daily power list
This has been a phenomenal key for me to prioritise my daily business activities. When you’re suddenly running the show, there are countless areas of your company vying for your attention. I make a power list of 3-5 actions every day that will move my business forward, and then I execute them. It helps me stay on top of the vision and development of my company, not just my everyday to-do list.
4. Consider a small business mentor
Different to investing in a small business community, a small business mentor is a person who can work with you one-on-one, on the finer details of your company operations. From understanding accounts to investing in an advertising, marketing or a PR strategy – even advice on sales and customer conversions – a small business mentor in your industry can help with specific support and business growth.
5. Have fun!
I honestly believe this point is one of the most important. In the daily and weekly stresses of running your own small business – don’t forget to have fun in your new venture. Take time to focus on the positives, invest in company activities that you enjoy and reflect on how far you’ve come. At the end of the day, starting a small business should be rewarding and a joyful experience.
Katie Clift, Director, Katie Clift Consulting
