You can still be an entrepreneur. Here's how...
You dislike the rat race, hate being micro-managed, want to avoid office politics and imagine that you would be at your wit’s end if you ever lose your job.
Being an entrepreneur means that age is no longer a barrier to success. You do not have to deal with office politics and you have autonomy, not to mention the ability to earn a higher income.
You have always thought of being an entrepreneur, but without deep pockets, you wondered how you could ever do it.
Can one start a business with no capital and no client base? Yes, it is possible if you are in the business of providing services. Here are some tips to help you get started:
Set up a Soho (Small office, home office)
Look into your skills set to determine if you are able to translate it into services that people would pay for, such as consulting services in accounting, marketing, public relations, copywriting, and graphic design. For such services, you will be able to use your home as your office under the Home Office Scheme.
All you need is a computer, printer and a telephone and you are ready to be in business.
Expand your network
Attend networking events which focus on the industry you are in, or where you will meet your target clients.
Many networking events include a talk or seminar by a keynote speaker who is prominent in the industry. Such events help you get to know more people, and you can share business tips. Always take sufficient business cards with you. If you have yet to set up your business, and have no business cards, print personal name cards which show your contact details and describe the services that you offer.
Forge strategic alliances
Strategic alliances are important for a new entrepreneur. It opens up opportunities for cross-referral as well as provides the ability to serve bigger clients if a one-person business set-up is insufficient.
When looking for strategic alliance partners, think lateral — which other services do your clients need but you do not offer?
For example, if you offer graphic design services, you could have strategic alliances with a printing company, a copywriter and a public relations company.
This way, you are able to expand your client base through cross-referral of business and carry out tasks for the client with service providers whom you are already familiar with.
Go for trade exhibitions
Trade exhibitions are a great way to get to know new clients from local and international markets. You can meet many clients in a short period of time, compared with the time taken to secure appointments followed by face-to-face meetings.
Keep your business cards, brochures and your portfolio of work handy, so that if anyone is keen on your services, you can give a presentation on the spot. For other prospective clients, exchange business cards with them and follow up with them later.
Attend courses
As an entrepreneur, it is important to always keep learning. It is through expanding your mind that you will get new ideas or spot business opportunities.
Think about the courses that you have always wanted to pursue. It could be taking up a new language, a business course or a soft skills course on improving your emotional quotient (EQ). All these help to boost your confidence, equip you with new skills and even provide you with a new business network to tap into.
As an entrepreneur, you are solely responsible for your income and business survival. So keep healthy, exercise and keep your spirits high.
You may not be able to close a deal in the first week or month of being an entrepreneur, but stay focused, continue your networking and forge strategic alliances. That way, you will get closer to entrepreneurial success with each passing day.
Dare to dream, think positive and expand your mind to bring out the entrepreneur in you!
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