When Is the Right Time to Start a Small Business?

Starting a business is one of the biggest dreams of every working professional. However, they are

...

never able to make up their mind about the right...

When Is the Right Time to Start a Small Business?
LETHABO MOODLEY Image
LETHABO MOODLEY
Updated: Monday 21st of March 2022
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Starting a business is one of the biggest dreams of every working professional. However, they are never able to make up their mind about the right time to get started. Some of them think that they need years of experience before taking the plunge, while others jump the bandwagon. If you wish to purchase a business for sale in South Arica, you should know when you need to take the final step.

It can be confusing as many budding entrepreneurs do not know about the financial stability and market research needed to run a business successfully. Despite this fact, most people say that there is no right time. However, merely having an idea does not help. You need to consider several factors to make sure you are not making a mistake that can lead to losses. So, here is what you need to know about the right time to start a business.

1. Check the Viability of the Idea

In the minds of aspiring entrepreneurs, their business idea is unmatched. However, it is a myopic view of the proposition. They need to determine if the customers also feel the same way about it or not. The same business idea could be already in the market, and you may not know about it, or the idea may not resonate with the target audience. Thus, you need to check whether the idea is workable or not.

Verify if the product is in demand and how the niche segment is performing. Understand the challenges in the domain and how it has been faring over the years. For example, some businesses may become redundant during the pandemic, and it may have an impact on their future. Thus, you need to identify a future-proof small business that can be scaled up in the coming years.

2. Understand the Flexibility of the Model

During the COVID-19 pandemic, several small businesses had to pivot and change. Some of them adopted technology and automation to reach out to their customers and others brought in a new product line to meet the new demand. Thus, you need to understand whether the business you choose can be modified to suit the changing economic environment and the altered buying behaviour of the customers.

Thus, you must find a business model that has the flexibility to be enhanced and improved with changing times with the least effort and money. It should not be dependent on rigid policies that might make it obsolete in future.

3. Find Out Your Availability and Preparedness

Another significant thing to consider is whether you have the time, patience, determination, and energy to run a business. Entrepreneurship comes with a variety of challenges, and you cannot avoid them. Thus, it needs the leader to be motivated, zealous, and ready to give it their 100%. A half-hearted approach does not work with entrepreneurship as the head of the organisation manages and moves the business forward.

Initially, you might have to extend your shifts and go through stressful nights while setting things up. Thus, you should consider the personal sacrifices you will have to make while growing the entity. Ask your family and social circle to be ready for the change in your lifestyle and mentally prepare for the effort it will take to accomplish your goals.

4. Assess Your Financial Resources

Finance is the most crucial aspect of running a business, and it can affect your decision. Before beginning your journey of entrepreneurship, you need to check if you can get the funding you need to run the business. Your credit score should allow you to get a business loan in South Africa without a high-interest rate. You can check for grants and funding from the government.

Besides financial institutions, you can approach investors and moneylenders who will offer the funds in exchange for a stake in the business. Thus, you need to identify all the resources and understand if this amount will be enough to run the business and maintain cash reserves for the dry spells. You can ask your family and friends for investment as well. Financial planning is vital to maintain a positive cash flow.

5. Find the Talent Needed to Run the Business

While you are testing your business idea, you can start looking for people who will be joining your venture as a team. You can ask your friends from the industry or the people in your social circle who have the desired skills to join your business. Building a strong team is essential to give a solid foundation to the entity. These people will be able to identify your goals and will align their professional goals with them.

You will have confidence in your employees and will be able to guide them in the right direction to accomplish your objectives quickly and effortlessly. You will not have to train them because they will be ideally suited for their roles because of their experience and expertise.

6. Examine the Economic Conditions

The economy of South Africa has been developing and recovering from the impact of the lockdowns. The annual growth rate took a leap of 4.9% in 2021, which makes it an ideal time for starting or running a business. However, when the conditions are not in favour of commercial activity, the budding entrepreneurs must refrain from taking a step forward. It is necessary because when the economy is plummeting, consumers are not willing to spend, and their income levels go down. Unemployment, interest rates and inflation are on the rise, and there is a lack of capital.

Thus, it is recommended to check all the economic factors that may have an impact on the business, such as the supply chain, distribution, hiring, cost of production, pricing, marketing etc.

7. Network Support

Everyone needs a mentor or supportive people who can help in overcoming the challenges. Thus, you need to find veterans in the industry who can guide you and inform you about your shortcomings and strengths. You also need to expand your circle and get talking to entrepreneurs in the industry and build a rapport with them.

The business network is highly beneficial in providing the support needed to find suppliers, vendors, partners, stakeholders, etc. They can help in offering suggestions for improvement and identifying opportunities.

Conclusion

If you want to launch your venture or purchase a business for sale in South Africa, you need to make sure that you have the knowledge, assistance, funds, and preparation for the task. If you have everything in place, you can start at any time.

Author Info
Lethabo Moodley

A business expert, Lethabo Moodley is a management consultant who has been working across domains since 2005. His rich experience includes a Masters degree in business administration from the prestigious Gordon Institute of Business Science and Doctor of Business Leadership degree from Unisa Graduate School of Business Leadership. He has been actively working as a consultant with the biggest firms in South Africa and his contribution in the growth of these organisations is considered invaluable. He has saved a lot of small businesses from going bankrupt and has renewed the lost success streak of the big fish in the market. Business2Sell is delighted to have him onboard for his insightful blogs. 

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