Covid, climate crisis, digital transformation and questioning our lifestyles. What if it was time to make these life dreams come true, these business ideas that are floating around in our heads and to create your own business? Give meaning to your work, no longer depend on an imposed framework, even if it means giving up on the stability and comfort of a salaried position...





But now, creating your business involves taking risks, uncertainties, renunciations. To the list of advantages corresponds a list of disadvantages. 


To fight against the fear of starting a business, you have to focus on the progress and move forward day by day. 


In this article, we explain to you how to create your own business or classic business in twelve steps. 


This article aims to give you confidence: we believe that anything is possible. We have plenty of examples of entrepreneurs who started from scratch and achieved their goals! 


You have nothing to lose by following the first steps in this article (except to ditch that cherished procrastination !).


Having the motivation and the ideas is therefore a very good start. Knowing the steps is another to project yourself and be able to overcome them and come up with a solid plan. 


Content of the article


How to start a business step by step

1. Take stock of your motivations and skills

2. Start from your current situation: professional and financial

3. Define your business idea

4. Make a business plan

5. Set realistic goals and expectations

6. Make a one-page business plan

7. Talk about it and get help

8. Partner up

9. Name your business

10. Register your business

11. Create your first product or service

12. Know how to sell your business

Summary: How to start a business step by step

FAQs

How to start a business without money and for free?

How to show your business when you are a young entrepreneur? 

Conclusion


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How to start a business in 12 steps

Before going into the details of the stages of this business creation guide, we have distinguished 3 milestones: Take stock and define your business – Challenge your idea – Make your business creation a reality.


1. Take stock of your motivations and skills


There are as many companies as there are personal situations. Creating your company will respond to several factors: motivations and objectives, financial situation, skills, economic model...


This is why the first step in starting a business is to take stock of all these aspects.


It's true that it's frustrating, when you have a great idea and you're fired up, you want to take action, to open your business right away. We want concrete! Except that the first factor of failure is not having taken this time to reflect. Don't skip the steps. First golden rule to become the entrepreneur of your dreams: patience and frustration management are two qualities to develop đŸ™‚


Take it as a game, or a challenge, the opportunity to ask all those desires and ideas that swarm in your head. 


So, we take a sheet (or two, or three… a notebook what đŸ™‚ and we write it down by answering the following questions:


What motivates me deeply to start a business?

Which of these motivations take precedence?

What are my strengths and weaknesses? Can I do it alone?

Are my current skills enough to make my project a reality, or do I need to train myself or surround myself to fill in my gaps?

What means (material, financial) do I need to get there?

Your answers to these questions will impact future steps.


The economic model, the financial investments and the form of your business will not be the same if you want to set up your business in a city, or set up your business online, if you want to be alone or form a team, if you have financial contributions, or if we start with zero budget.


It is very easy to create your own business online, for example. But generating income from nothing is much more difficult.


You must be ready to face this reality. There will be challenges, critical moments, doubts.


2.  Start from your current situation: professional and financial

Create your business

Some will have built a professional career and will want to set up a business with a project consistent with this career path and the accumulated skills. Others, on the contrary, will want to embark on a completely new activity. In any case, there are several solutions: create your business in parallel with your current job to minimize the risks, and therefore combine several activities at the same time ( the art of being a slasher ).


Employees also have individual training rights (DIF). There are aids for setting up a business. State aid (unemployment rights, for example) depending on the conditions for starting a business, can be a springboard for starting a business. Find out more about your situation from PĂ´le Emploi, for example.


3. Which company to create in 2023?

The pandemic has changed a lot of things in consumer habits, not to mention other world events that are happening at breakneck speed. 


Take the time to reflect and list new needs or future needs and find new business ideas in 2023.


You also probably had some business ideas floating around in your head. And if you're totally dry or have several overlapping cravings, make a list of the things you're passionate about. For example, yoga, personal finance, dogs, movies, cooking or fashion.


And that of your desires: to transmit knowledge, to sell a product or a service, to write on a subject, to help companies or individuals in their efforts, or simply to earn money on the Internet . The strength of the entrepreneur is to know how to combine his centers of interest with his human qualities and his skills.


Now that your ideas are taking shape, you need to confront them with the reality of the market and explore the competing supply and demand.


It's called the law of the market, and to get a place in the sun, you have to differentiate yourself. Several alternatives are available to you: lower prices, or on the contrary go upmarket, surf on a trend, find a niche activity (here is a list of niche activities for example ).


Other questions are to be asked for the creation of an online business: do you want to be fully involved in your business or simply be the founder? Do you prefer to act alone or are you looking for a partner? Create a sole proprietorship, an EURL or a SARL? These are fundamental questions to create your company.


Everything is possible to start a business, from the Shopify store  to a freelance activity . You can choose to develop your own consulting business and create your own business or even set up your company with a team, manufacture your products or manage a restaurant…!


To help you narrow down your list, use tools like Keywords Everywhere to see search volume on Google with SEO  for each item on your list. This will allow you to understand the level of popularity of your ideas.


Also use Google Trends to analyze changing trends. Is the curve going up, down or remaining stable? Then determine the viability of your niche over the long term. Do not hesitate to ask questions to entrepreneurs who have embarked on a similar project, their feedback can guide your project and be decisive. Get inspired by the success stories of entrepreneurs in your field.


Then take the three most popular keywords on your list and answer these questions: “Five years from now, which of these niches will still get me up in the morning? What idea will excite me enough that I still want to create content, products and tools for it?”


You found ? Congratulations, you have just passed a fundamental stage of the creation of a company!


4. Develop a strategy

Now that you have a good idea for starting a business, it's time to study ways to make a living from it, and to earn an income from it. How to develop your business? 


For example, let's say you want to start a dog business. You can open a grooming business, a dog sitting site, or an online dog product store.


In this phase, you will determine which of these businesses is the simplest and most strategic to launch, if it corresponds to your skills, if it fits your budget. Finally, you will analyze the performance of the sector.


It is also possible to create your own business with several ideas. For example, a cooking blog can monetize itself through an online store of kitchen accessories products.


After deciding what type of business you want to develop, it's time to plan your business and measure its viability by doing market research. It will allow you to define your business model by mastering your target market in order to better position yourself and make the difference.


Create a strategy

Here are the various points to be clarified:


Who is your target audience(s), what are their profiles? what are its expectations, what are its uses (online in particular)?

Who are your competitors? Can you classify them? What prices do they charge? How do they sell (marketing practices, communication)? 

What are the constraints of your market?

What are the trends ?

What are the most popular queries?

What are your sales arguments that will allow you to get out of the game?

Are there any regulations specific to your sector?

5. Start a business: set realistic goals and expectations

Instead of focusing on your first sale, maybe you should focus on digital marketing , such as creating content to drive traffic to your site . Or maybe before opening your business , you could grow a community on Instagram to have an audience at launch. Do not scatter, use proven methods to build his box.


Feel free to use SMART metrics to create your goals, but stick to the ones that really matter to you.


create your business and define your goals

6. Make a one-page business plan

The business plan is the logical continuation of your market research, it is essential in the steps to create your business. It, and must allow you to put forward concrete data on your company, such as defining figures (sales projection) and strategies. Unless you need a bank loan, don't waste too much time on a business plan . On a piece of paper, handwrite your business plan. The business plan will allow you to project yourself concretely, and therefore to better get started, step by step.


Your business plan page should contain the following elements:


The problem solved by your business

A one-sentence pitch (what is it?)

A list of your target audience (e.g. dog owners, people following dog social media accounts, etc.)

A SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats).

A marketing plan (list of actions to take to promote your business)

A financial plan (operating costs, means of financing these costs and means of generating money).

Financial projection by quarter

7. Start a business: talk about it and get help

You now have the idea, goals and a plan. The time has come to get feedback on your idea, to confront it with qualified people.


This stage spelled the death knell for many business start-up ideas, including some very good ones.


The goal is to collect feedback on how to improve your idea. Instead of asking for opinions on the business itself, ask questions about specific aspects. 


Seek the advice of a professional, who went through the same steps to open his business. Most cities have centers dedicated to business creation, where you can talk to entrepreneurs who are ready to help you. Staying isolated is a bad idea. The chances of success and sustainability of your project will increase with the contribution of the knowledge of others!


8. Partner up

Solo entrepreneurship is on the rise, so this advice may not apply to everyone, but it's often easier to be successful together. Rome wasn't built in a day, like all successful businesses. Your business will take up a lot of your time and resources. Having someone you trust by your side will allow you to take breaks to regain strength, and fill in any gaps you may have.


Find partners

The choice of a partner is crucial. You must be certain that you will work effectively with this person. Is she trustworthy? Have you ever worked together? How have you been able to manage conflicts in the past? Do your skills balance each other? Doesn't a professional relationship risk breaking your friendship? Be sure to ask all the tough questions before you make your decision.


9. Create your business: give it a name

A step that marks your online business creation. Defining the perfect business name can be tricky, especially if you want a .com domain name.  


Use a business name generator for inspiration.


Most brands look to include keywords in their name, like Fashion Nova . But others choose a unique name.


The business name you choose should be attractive, impactful, easy to remember and spell, match a domain and available social media profiles.


Sometimes the best names come out during a chat with a friend, which will give you another perspective. So don't hesitate to ask for opinions if you go around in circles with your brand name.


10. Register your business

What are the steps to start a business? How to create a business in France, administratively? Find out about current legislation where you live. In some cities or states, you don't need to register your business below a specific revenue volume.


However, entrepreneurs register their business from day one to prevent any risk. For example, if you do the same and you are sued at the start of your activity, your company is responsible but not you. Protect yourself as soon as possible by giving legal status to your business.


If you create a company in France, know that you are not obliged to found a sarl from the start, there are many different statuses such as the sole proprietorship , which also depend on the number of contributors or associates. Do some research to see which status will best suit your situation.


11. Create your first product or service

The number of possible products or services you can sell is endless.


In e-commerce, you can use DSers to choose from a large selection of products in many popular niches, such as fashion, jewelry, home decor, automotive, beauty, electronics and more. Follow our guides to set up your dropshipping box or online store .


How to choose products to create your online business?


If you are an expert in a particular industry, you will be able to create digital products such as eBooks, courses, music, and other digital content to sell to others. You will be able to monetize your expertise with these products and go upmarket with your services. 


For a software business, you can create a SaaS product that helps other businesses. Or if you are a consultant, you can offer conferences, coaching or your skills.


The products you create for your business will largely depend on your knowledge and professional profile. But the choice is still incredibly wide.


12. Know how to sell your business

Promotion is arguably the most important step when starting a business. Without marketing, there are no customers and therefore no sales. Here are some examples of how to grow your business.


The creation of your website, an essential step whatever your business, and obviously crucial if you are creating an e-commerce activity. Follow our guide to creating a simple and effective website with a CMS.


Facebook : You will be able to advertise on Facebook based on your target's interests, as well as the brands they follow. Also post in Facebook groups as a fan page, which is a great way to promote niche businesses.


Instagram : develop your Instagram visibility thanks to each post, to diversify your sales channels. You can also add links to your Instagram Stories to get more sales.


Pinterest : Group boards are a great way to get more exposure for your posts when you start out. You can also create your own groups to promote your content. Be sure to promote other brands as well so you don't get associated with a spammy account.


Linkedin : Build your personal brand by creating posts and sharing your opinions through LinkedIn articles. Invite other users to follow you to increase your reach.


SEO : by optimizing your website for natural referencing and by creating content that generates more leads, subscribers to your newsletter and traffic to your site.


Quora : Answer niche questions on Quora to promote your online store. You will use SEO tools to find which terms are well referenced on Quora and thus obtain better visibility on the platform.


FAQ - How to start a business

How to launch your business?

To set up a business, you must first find a business idea and learn about entrepreneurship, a way of life that does not necessarily appeal to everyone. Talk about your project not only to your loved ones, but also to your potential targets to validate your idea. Do not hesitate to join groups of entrepreneurs to help you stay motivated, but also to accomplish the correct administrative procedures. Create a good business plan, find financing if needed and set yourself turnover objectives to develop your business!


Starting a business where to start?

Start by listing your motivations, then your goals. Finally, the most important thing: find a profitable business idea. You have the choice of several home business ideas or to create your own startup if you have an innovative idea. You will then need to create a business plan and a provisional budget. Finally, you still have to come up with a name and logo, create your business status, create an online presence, and promote your products or services through marketing techniques!


How to start a business?

You can set up a business in France via online procedures. The easiest way is to create a micro-enterprise (or auto-entrepreneur) status for the sale of goods or the provision of services depending on the nature of your activity. Once your business and your turnover are growing, you can change to SARL, SASU or another status that suits your needs. The creation of a status is compulsory in order to be able to have an entrepreneurial activity in France, even if it is an additional salary. You will not have to pay tax if you do not make sales immediately.


How to start a business without money?

How to create a business in France, without money? This question, often asked, reveals the financial stakes. When you are young, freshly graduated for example or, quite simply, when you do not have enough personal contribution to invest in your business project. So is it possible to start a business from scratch? Yes perfectly. 


In the case of the creation of a micro-enterprise, in particular (provided you do not exceed a threshold according to your activity). Starting an online business is relatively simple, quick and free. If you are embarking on an intellectual service (graphic designer, developer, coach, editor, etc.) which is done online with your future customers, then you will just need a computer and wifi!


In addition, and whatever your situation, there are aids for business creation , such as the ACCRE for example, which exempts you from social charges the 1st year of your activity. What to be able to open a sole proprietorship without a budget.


You can find more tips on starting a business without money in this Shopify article. 


How to open your business when you are a young entrepreneur 

There are many organizations dedicated to helping young entrepreneurs: local CCIs on the one hand, and start-up incubators and nurseries on the other that give you the means to succeed. These structures also give you the credibility that can be lacking when you are young, and also allow you to gain visibility. Many competitions can boost a business project. It's up to you to know how to pitch your project, its business model and demonstrate its originality and viability! 


Some cities even offer programs for young entrepreneurs, where you benefit from the support of a mentor. Make sure you get feedback from the right people, the ones that will help you achieve success.


There are many organizations that help start-ups, by supporting and/or financing them: the CCIs, the BPI, the Agence France Entrepreneur, the RĂ©seau Entreprendre, the incubators... it's up to you to expand your address book around you. Crowdfunding is also an interesting alternative solution.


If this article convinced you to start a business, but you still have questions on the subject, check out the article on how to start a business on the Shopify blog. There you will find many articles on the subject. 


Summary: How to start a business step by step

Take stock of your motivations and skills

Start from your current situation: professional and financial

Create your business: define your business idea

Develop a strategy

Starting a Business: Set Realistic Goals and Expectations

Make a one-page business plan

Start a business: talk about it and get help

Join

Create your business: give it a name

Register your business

Create your first product or service

Know how to sell your business

Conclusion

Remember, the mindset is essential. Keep your dreams in mind, your beautiful energy, your optimism, see beyond the stage that presents itself to you. No excuse, whatever your status, your age, your means, there are solutions to make your business succeed. But be a realistic idealist: take the time to reflect, prepare, learn, share your idea, test, surround yourself, even if it means not counting the hours, not seeing the results right away... perseverance is the key.


Defining your objectives upstream, confronting them with reality are all steps that will allow you not to lose sight of them and make them overcome obstacles.


There will be obstacles and challenges along the way, but as long as you move forward and learn your lessons, nothing will stop you from succeeding. 


The first step is often the most difficult.