Question of the week: What part of the startup process would you change?

[JoeSorge]

Since most of us have gone through the process of starting a new business/department from scratch I was curious to learn what part of that process you might change if you were in control.

Was there a particular barrier that was extra frustrating? Something that you may have missed or wasn't obvious?



Of further interest, the SBA is launching a startup "roundtable" to attempt to gather this input from small business owners around the country and improve their own processes.

Startup America: Reducing Barriers Roundtables:

Using the input from the roundtables and broader public participation, the Administration will put together a list of the best ideas to streamline and simplify unnecessary barriers to America’s entrepreneurs and innovators. These ideas will be incorporated into the agencies’ responses to the President’s Executive Order instructing federal agencies to identify and take steps to eliminate or reduce regulations that are outdated or overly burdensome to entrepreneurs.
http://www.sba.gov/content/startup-america-reducing-barriers-roundtables

[JimRaffel]

Joe,

I don't think the startup process looks anything like it did when I started my first business 20+ years ago.

The barriers to entry are so low as to be almost nonexistent. (especially if you are selling information or service that can be delivered over the internet).

The hardest part remains - who I am I going to sell this better mousetrap to.

Here again the internet helps solve the problem. Using social media tools you can begin to build an audience long before you are ready to sell you product. No need to plan for and fund an expensive trade show appearance or six.

So, to answer your question it would be learning more about the power of selling with content. I think even 20+ years ago I could have been more successful sooner had I started generating content and distributing by whatever means I could have (snail mail newsletters were the thing back then).

Make any sense?

[DBrogan]

Jim Raffel has really great points about the type of product one is selling.

When selling products, such as tangible goods, I think one should do a five year plan with risk assessments. There is a lot involved.

Our MomPopPow.com site, where we chat and sell T-Shirts on the side is low stress. Everything about it is easier than producing and selling products - such as jewelry at Brogan-Arts.com.

[gillie]

I think the only real barrier for our business was our own ignorance about running a business. It's ridiculously easy to start a business online. But because it's so easy, it's also easy to get in over your head if you don't have a clue about bookkeeping, finances, taxes, business planning, payroll, hiring, etc.

[angelwingsweb]

When I started my first business, my biggest barriers were my understanding of language.

My main problem was that when I was directed to sites designed for understanding taxes or legislation, they made no sense to me, and when I was asking a question, the answers were often to redirect me to the same websites. So I was very discouraged and intimidated.

Another barrier was my own insecurity about this whole business development.
Now, after nearly seven years, I created my second business, and I am determined to overcome this barrier and not be afraid to say that I don't understand or need basic help. I have finally discovered that much more help is available now and I hope this is a blessing.

***
All about me (http://about.me/Otir)

[angelwingsweb]

I think the only real barrier for our business was our own ignorance about running a business. It's ridiculously easy to start a business online. But because it's so easy, it's also easy to get in over your head if you don't have a clue about bookkeeping, finances, taxes, business planning, payroll, hiring, etc.

This is exactly what happened to me! I didn't have a clue.

[arinehartdc]

Great resource for all of these issues is The Entrepreneur Equation by Carol Roth, really digs into the full gamut of business ownership. Moral of the story, the grass isn't always greener on the other side. Really takes a case by case basis...best is to start off small, take educated risks & mini-tests on the side before you make the full-blown investment.

[JoeSorge]

I agree, Carol's book is great for this kind of stuff. The fact that she's also a great person in general AND a member of this forum is double bonus :)