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Striking While the Iron is Hot

The Best Time to Start a Business and Other Key Considerations for the Would-be Entrepreneur

Starting a business is an exciting endeavor. When the possibilities are endless and the canvas before you is blank, it is often easy to get swept up in the excitement and lose sight of some of the key logistics and planning that are essential to growing a business. 
This white paper examines some important considerations for any new business owner and provides practical tips for success.

Whether you are starting a business or building a business, a micro business owner or the head of the family business, this paper offers simple strategies for you.

First Things First: Key Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Begin

To truly determine if the time is right to launch into an entrepreneurial endeavor, it is important to first ask yourself a few key questions to ensure you are fully prepared and willing to commit to being a small business owner:

1. Do I have what it takes?
Entrepreneurs are a unique breed and not everyone has what it takes to make it. According to Karsten Strauss, a journalist covering business and entrepreneurs for Forbes magazine, “Entrepreneurs have a greater capacity for pain and discomfort than most. They can stay up later, work longer hours, stay more focused and, somehow, are able to set so much aside in deference to their dreams and visions.”

Business writer, Susan Ward, outlines some other important personality traits and characteristics of successful business owners, including self-motivation, organization, marketing and customer service skills, and the ability to manage effectively and efficiently.

Sound like you? Then you are on your way! Not sure? Check out these articles and resources to help assess your readiness:
- Do You Have the Characteristics of an Entrepreneur?
- 6 Traits You Need to Be Self-Employed

2. Do I have the time necessary to build a business and ensure its success?
As Ward says, starting a business is “similar to starting a relationship”—the best time to do it is “when you have the time to devote your attention to it.”

A poll of readers of the New York Enterprise Report found that “the majority of small-business owners say they work at least 50 hours per week…far more than the national average of 33.8 hours per week reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.” One-third of small business owners reported work weeks of more than 50 hours and an additional 25% said they log 60 hours or more per week. In addition, 70% of respondents also “worked at least one weekend on a regular basis.”

Consider your commitments and existing priorities—both personally and professionally—to determine how and if a new undertaking fits into the equation. As the numbers outlined above illustrate, time will be an essential component of success, especially on the front-end as your business is getting off the ground. If you do not have the necessary space in your life, the time may not be right.

3. Is starting a business financially feasible for me?
While no two businesses are the same, virtually every business will require some start-up cost. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), in 2009 the Kauffmann Foundation estimated that the average business’s start-up cost was approximately $30,000. Naturally not all businesses carry such a significant price tag in the early stages—according to the SBA, most micro-businesses can get off the ground for as little as $3,000.

But regardless of the size or nature of your planned venture there is generally some form of upfront investment. It is important to consider your finances and discuss with your family or business partners the impact and feasibility of starting a business, as well as the potential risk. While financial uncertainty may be a sign that the timing is not right, lacking the requisite funds does not necessarily mean all is lost—investors and other external funding mechanisms may be available. Ward recommends evaluating debt financing from a lender or equity financing from angel investors.

4. Will this make me happy?
While it may sound simple, this question is perhaps the most important one on the list. Chances are you set out on this path to start a business because you wanted to call the shots and be the boss. Or maybe the idea of flexibility and defining the structure of your
work day appealed to you. Perhaps you are tired of doing all the work but only retaining a portion of the profit. Or maybe all of the above.

Regardless of your motivations, it is important to weigh the driving force against your business concept. Will your planned business allow you to achieve your personal and professional aims and provide the balance and quality of life you are seeking? If the answer is no, perhaps you should reevaluate your approach or consider other business ideas. Remember, you are doing this for a specific reason—do not lose sight of your goal amongst the blur of activity that surrounds a new idea.

Timing is Everything

Timing is an important consideration when starting a business, and can ultimately determine whether your small business succeeds or fails. Be sure to examine the market that you plan to enter to determine its health and viability. Look at trends to gain insight into the market’s trajectory or projected performance. Study ancillary industries and markets that may directly impact your primary market and help determine the success of your new business.

If you are planning to build a business in real estate, it is important to understand the current state of the real estate industry—both within your target market and nationally. Analyzing the current market, trends in development and building, and economic
forecasting can all be invaluable in determining when the time is right to launch your new endeavor.

If launching a real estate business, an examination of ancillary services or providers might include looking closely at trends in lending, title and escrow and studying interest rates to determine what impact these areas might have on timing.

Regardless of the industry or focus, entrepreneurs would be wise to follow a few general guidelines as a point of reference in determining if the time is right to launch a new business endeavor. Here a few quick timing tips and questions for reflection:
1. Knowledge—Do you have a firm understanding of the industry you wish to enter?
2. Contacts—Have you built a network of clients/customers, partners, suppliers, etc. that is sufficient to launch your business? If not, what is your timeline to do so?
3. What is on the horizon? Are there industry changes or developments coming that will help identify an ideal time to launch your business or help you hone-in on a time when the market will be particularly hot or cold?
4. What is the production or development timeline? How long will it take to fully develop your product or service and what is the target date for going to market or launch? Be sure to build this into your business plan and timeline to ensure profitability and help
prevent missed opportunities.

The Question of Age: There is No “Right Time”

Timing in terms of demand, market share and market health are very important considerations. But what about timing in terms of your life? Is there an ideal age at which to start a business, and is there a point at which it is too late?

Youth certainly has its advantages when it comes to the energy and health necessary to take on the demanding task of business ownership. Michael Lazerow, CEO of Buddy Media, suggests that when it comes to starting a company, “the younger the better.”
Lazerow suggests that “it’s easier to pour your life into a company when you’re young, creative, fresh, and fired up.”

But while youthfulness certainly offers advantages when starting a business, the wisdom, experience and connections that come with age can also be priceless assets for the entrepreneur.

Ultimately there is no ideal age, phase of life or career milestone that constitutes the “perfect time” to start a business. As Lazerow concludes in his examination of timing, “Entrepreneurs come in all sizes, shapes, ages and colors”—the best time to start a business is today. If you have done your due diligence, examined the market, the risk, the potential reward and determined that you are ready to be your own boss, then take the leap.

“Begin with the End in Mind:” The Importance of an Exit Strategy

Habit #2 in Stephen Covey’s celebrated book, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” is “begin with the end in mind.” Just as timing is a key consideration when starting a business, careful thought must also be given to the timing of the business’s eventual sale or transition of ownership.

Exit strategies will vary depending on both the type of business and its mission, but regardless of the form it takes, an exit strategy is an important component of any business plan. An exit strategy does not only relate to the sale of your company to an outside interest, it may also outline the process for transferring control, ownership or management of your family business to a child or other family member.

While it may seem premature to discuss and plan for an exit strategy when building a business, it is truly never too early. Proactively planning your exit will ultimately: (1.) maximize your profitability, (2.) allow for a seamless handoff, (3.) minimize your risk and financial vulnerability, and (4.) help ensure a return on your investment.

“Your end goal affects everything from how you run your business, to the partnerships you pursue, to how you choose to fund your startup,” says David Ehrenberg, founder and CEO of Early Growth Financial Services.

Supporting Your Success

Starting a business is a significant undertaking, but the good news is: you do not have to go it alone. The National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) is your resource and advocate in owning your own business. This white paper is just one example of the many resources available to NASE members. NASE provides information on best practices, tools, publications and advocacy to help ensure your business is positioned for success and continued growth.