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The Root to Starting Your Small Business: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Brianna Dick
- Dec 12, 2024
- 4 min read
Starting a small business is an exciting journey, but it can feel overwhelming. You might have the passion, but where do you begin? This guide provides a clear structure for service-based businesses to help you map out your business from idea to execution.
1. Start with the Foundation: "Why Am I Doing this? or Why Do I want to start a small business?"
Your "why" is the root of your business. It’s what drives you and keeps you going through challenges.
Questions to Ask Yourself:
Why does this business matter to me personally?
What problem am I solving for others?
How will this business align with the life I want (freedom, autonomy, impact)?
Example for a Service-Based Business: You’re starting a financial coaching business because you’ve seen friends struggle with budgeting and debt management, and you’re passionate about helping people gain financial freedom.
Template for Defining Your Why:
"I’m starting [business name] to [solve X problem] for [specific audience], so they can [benefit/outcome]."
2. The Vision: "What Does Success Look Like?"
Define your ultimate goal. Think long-term but remain flexible.
Questions to Ask Yourself:
Am I building this as a full-time career or a side hustle?
What does my ideal work-life balance look like?
How will I measure success (financial goals, customer impact, personal growth)?
Example for a Service-Based Business: A yoga instructor might aim to teach five classes per week while earning $5,000 monthly and maintaining weekends off for family time.
3. Clarify the Core: "Who Am I Helping?"
Your audience is the heart of your business.
Questions to Ask Yourself:
Who is my ideal client/customer?(e.g., young professionals, small business owners, families in debt)
What specific problem are they facing?
What’s their current alternative to my service, and why is it falling short?
Example for a Service-Based Business: A lawyer might focus on small business owners who need affordable, straightforward legal advice to navigate contracts and liability issues.
Template for Defining Your Audience:
"I serve [specific audience] who struggle with [problem], and I help them achieve [outcome]."
4. The Offering: "What Am I Selling?"
Define your product or service clearly. This gets into "branding" it's not just whether you have the skills to get the job done. Do you know how to articulate that? If not, that's why most small business fail.
Questions to Ask Yourself:
What exactly am I offering?
How will this solve my client’s problem?
How is my offering different from competitors?
Example for a Service-Based Business: A consultant offering tailored efficiency solutions for small businesses looking to streamline their operations and boost productivity.
Template for Describing Your Service:
"I offer [specific service] to [specific audience] so they can [achieve specific result]."
5. The Numbers: "How Will I Sustain This?"
Get your finances in order to build a sustainable business.
Questions to Ask Yourself:
What are my startup costs? (Think essentials: licenses, tools, insurance.)
How much do I need to charge to cover costs and make a profit?
What’s my projected monthly income and expenses?
Example for a Service-Based Business: A financial coach may need $500 upfront for website hosting and marketing tools, charge $200 per session, and aim for 15 sessions monthly.
Free Template Idea: A simple budgeting worksheet for tracking startup costs and pricing.
6. Legal and Logistics: "What Do I Need to Operate Legally?"
Set up the basics to ensure you’re compliant and protected.
Questions to Ask Yourself:
What legal structure makes sense (LLC, sole proprietorship, etc.)?
Do I need licenses, permits, or insurance for my industry?
What tools or software will simplify operations?
Example for a Service-Based Business: A lawyer setting up a solo practice may need malpractice insurance, a professional license, and case management software.
7. Your Brand: "How Will I Stand Out?"
Branding isn’t just about logos—it’s about your story, values, and how you make clients feel.
Questions to Ask Yourself:
What’s my brand’s message in one sentence?
What tone and personality align with my business (e.g., casual, professional, quirky)?
What visuals align with my values and audience?
Example for a Service-Based Business: A photographer might focus on capturing authentic moments with a warm, personable tone, using natural and earthy colors in their branding and a tagline like "Your Story, Authentically Told."
8. The Plan: "How Will I Actually Launch?"
Break it into manageable steps and focus on progress over perfection.
Questions to Ask Yourself:
What’s my timeline for launching?
How will I market my business (social media, word of mouth, networking)?
What’s my first milestone (e.g., first client, first $1,000 in revenue)?
Example for a Service-Based Business: A nonprofit might plan to launch by hosting a community workshop on financial literacy, aiming to recruit 10 new members or donors during the event.
Free Template Idea: A one-page business plan template to map out these steps.
9. Reflection: "Am I Ready?"
Pause and review your plan before taking the leap.
Questions to Ask Yourself:
Do I feel confident in my business idea?
Am I prepared for the challenges of entrepreneurship?
Who can I lean on for support (mentors, consultants, friends)?
Final Reflection: Remember, it’s okay to not have all the answers right away. Starting a business is a learning process, and each step forward is progress.
Final Thoughts: From Root to Fruit 🌱
Starting a small business is about planting the seed of an idea and nurturing it into something that grows and thrives. By asking yourself the right questions and staying focused on what matters most, you can build a business that aligns with your life and values.
Ready to stop feeling stuck?
I’m Brianna, a small business consultant with years of hands-on experience helping service-based entrepreneurs build, scale, and sustain their businesses—without the burnout. Whether you’re looking to streamline operations, boost client retention, or develop a growth strategy that works, I’m here to help.
Looking forward to partnering with you!
Warmly,
Founder, Root to Fruit Consulting
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