So you are interested in starting your own successful online business?! Congratulations- that is exciting! With so much information in the online space it is easy to become distracted. And to waste your time and money on things that don’t matter (I learned that lesson the hard way)

If I were to start my business from scratch here’s what I’d do to ensure it was successful:

1. Evaluate your current financial needs. The journey of starting a profitable business is more challenging, takes longer and costs more than you might expect. Budget for six months of savings (at least)
2. Have any conversations necessary to minimize loss. Ask yourself: Do I actually want to quit my career, or simply take a new role? Am I in need of an extended vacay or sabbatical? Could I take a contract or consultant role to provide the freedom I crave?
3. Deeply explore your WHY and your WHO. The entrepreneurial journey sounds s@xy. But it’s also challenging. Decide what price you’re willing to pay and the level of risk you feel comfortable taking on before you begin. 
4. Decide how you really want your life to look on a daily basis and the impact you desire to make. Set aside a predetermined amount of focused time to clarify your dream and explore what you desire your life and new business to look like. Then reverse engineer it.
5. Hire someone who is ahead of you on the journey. Find a mentor doing something similar to what you want to create. Or, a coach who is passionate and skilled at sharing that knowledge. Hire that person and glean all you can from them.
6. Decide to become friends with failure. Then use it to your advantage. Fail fast and fail forward. This doesn’t make you a failure- it just means you are trying more and eventually you will hone in on success.
7. Formalize the biz with a name, register it and get a tax Id. Open a business bank account. Get a biz credit card too. 
8. Connect directly with people who you are interested in serving. Listen to their needs. If it’s a fit, offer to help. If it’s not a fit, listen and learn. 
9. Proof of Concept. Make offers to even more people. Make them an offer that solves their problem and then fulfill on your promise. Learn and adjust. Rinse and repeat.
10. Plan it Out. Create a business/financial/marketing plan now that you have proof of concept. You may also select funding sources at this stage. 
11. Establish your online and physical presence. Choose a social media platform to connect with your WHO. Setup a simple website.
12. Implement systems to scale. Automate what you can. Record procedures so they are repeatable and consistent.

This may appear backwards. A lot of people and coaches go straight to the online presence. However, if you find people and serve them with your offer before branding and websites…you will save so much time, energy and money! You have no idea how effective your solution is until you see it in action and build proof of concept. Remember, you can’t steer a parked car- You get clarity as you take action! Not overthinking it from behind the safety of your computer 💻 

So, stay lean as you grow. Have fun! And don’t get too attached to any piece of your business (ie that script font you are in love with but no one can read – lol)

If you need help- I’d love to be your guide and support you on the journey. My passion is identifying your unique genius and reverse engineering that into successful business of massive impact!