“There’s no business like show business,” or so the saying goes. But what about starting your own business? Is it really all fun and games, or is there a bit more to it than that? Let’s take a look at what you can expect when starting your own business, from the perspective of entrepreneur James Sackl.
You’ve probably heard all sorts of things about starting your own business. “It’s the best thing I ever did!” “I’m my own boss now!” “I make my own hours!” And while all of those things are technically true, there’s a bit more to starting a business than meets the eye. In fact, it can be downright challenging at times—something that James Sackl, entrepreneur and owner of Gecko Hospitality, knows all too well. Here are some of the things he Wish he knew before starting his business:
- Expect long hours. One of the first things that Sackl learned was that starting a business takes a lot more time and effort than most people realize. “In the beginning, you will work around the clock seven days a week,” he says. “You will have to forego weekends, vacations and holidays.” Of course, once his business was up and running smoothly, he was able to enjoy a bit more free time—but in those early days, it was all work and no play.
- You’re going to need help. Trying to do everything yourself is a recipe for disaster, Sackl says. As such, it’s important to surround yourself with people who complement your skill set and who you can trust to help you grow your business. This might mean hiring employees, partnering with other businesses or even seeking out mentors who can offer guidance and advice.
- Money doesn’t grow on trees—at least not at first. When you’re first starting out, it’s important to be mindful of every penny you’re spending—which means being strategic about where you allocate your resources. Try to invest in things that will have the biggest impact on your bottom line, and don’t be afraid to cut costs where you can. For example, Sackl says he initially used co-working spaces rather than renting his own office space in order to save money.
- Be prepared for bumps in the road—and even complete failsafe measures.. No matter how well you plan or how talented you and your team may be, there’s always going to be some level of uncertainty when starting a business. Things will go wrong from time to time, but it’s how you handle those challenges that will ultimately determine your success or failure.”Inevitably something will happen that is completely out of your control,” Sackl says.”You have to accept this fact and maintain faith that everything will eventually work out.”
- It takes a lot of hard work—but it’s worth it in the end.. Despite all the challenges that come with starting a business, Sackl says it’s still one of the most rewarding things he’s ever done.”When customers praise your products or services or when they tell you how much they appreciate what you’ve done for them or their businesses…there is simply no greater feeling,” he says.”In these moments all of the hardships become manageable because you remember why you’re doing this in the first place.”Now that you know what to expect when starting your own business, are you ready to take the plunge? If so, James Sackl has just one piece of advice for you:”Don’t give up on your dreams just because they might be hard to achieve,” he says.”The only way to fail is by not trying at all.” So what are you waiting for? Get out there and make your mark on the world!
Source: (https://www.dailybulletin.com.au/business/70463-starting-a-business-expectations-versus-reality) Author: James Sackl CEO + Co-Founder