Business start-up and running your own business

The start-up phase of business can simultaneously be one of the most enjoyable and daunting times in the small business cycle.

In this section you’ll find practical information on managing the fear of running your own business, ideas on setting up your own business, questions to ask before you work for yourself, advice on when is the right time to start your own business and a handy quiz to see if you are suited to working solo.

Want to keep up to date with all our business start-up and running your own business articles? Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter, sent to over 14,000 loyal readers each Tuesday, and receive four valuable bonus reports to download instantly.

(Never sold, displayed or given away)

Business start up articles

• Starting Out

  The definitive guide to going solo

  In times of uncertainty, getting the basics right is more crucial than ever. Flying Solo – How to go it alone in business is a book which will give you the confidence and tools to stay at the top of your game.

• Starting Out

  Starting my own business: If only I'd known!

  I'm not a big believer in crying over spilt milk. However I’ve recently been considering what I might like to have known before starting my own business. I look forward to learning from your own comments on the topic!

  • Published 17 September 08
  • Grant Hyman
  • 18 Comments

• Starting Out

  Mistakes made by start up micro businesses

  In my work life, I come in contact with a lot of start up micro businesses and have discovered some of the mistakes they have made. Fortunately, we have the opportunity to learn from them, and hopefully avoid the same mistakes ourselves.

  • Published 01 August 08
  • Heather Smith
  • 11 Comments

• Starting Out

  Handling fear in your new business

  So you've taken the plunge and are going it alone. Good for you! Commonly, though, new soloists find they get the nerve to start their own business, only to find that once they're up and running, new anxieties are taking their place.

  • Published 23 February 07
  • Linda Anderson
  • 14 Comments

• Starting Out

  Overcoming fear of running your own business

  It's normal to experience fear of running your own business before starting up. Even those with a strong desire to do their own thing feel this fear, and need to overcome it to move forwards.

  • Published 24 January 07
  • Linda Anderson
  • 14 Comments

• Starting Out

  Setting up your own business

  The earlier you are aware of your rights and obligations when setting up your own business, the better. Here's an overview of things to consider before starting.

  • Published 11 October 06
  • Barb Clews
  • 9 Comments

• Starting Out

  Four questions to ask if you want to work for yourself

  How do you turn your dreams of going it alone into a reality? Here are four questions dealing with self-analysis which will help you discover whether you have what it takes to work for yourself.

  • Published 16 August 06
  • Barb Clews
  • 1 Comment

• Starting Out

  Seven learnings from starting my own business

  I had always been interested in starting my own business, but if you're a teacher, communicator, manager, writer and editor what can you actually offer that people need? I learned the answers in my first six months of starting my own business.

  • Published 01 February 06
  • Diane Lee
  • 8 Comments

• Starting Out

  Is now the right time to start your own business?

  How do you know exactly when the time is just right to take the plunge and start your own business? The answer is surprisingly simple: never.

  • Published 04 November 05
  • Peter Crocker
  • 14 Comments

• Starting Out

  Ten tips on how to start your own business

  If you want your new solo business to flourish, it makes good sense to review these tips on how to start your own business.

  • Published 27 October 05
  • Megan Tough
  • 8 Comments

• Starting Out

  New business ventures: Expect the best, but watch your back

  As soloists we need to let positive energies drive our new business ventures. However at the same time we need to watch our backs.

  • Published 09 September 05
  • Paul J. Morris
  • 3 Comments

• Starting Out

  The joy of starting a side business

  “Ditch the corporate job and go it alone” they say “Life is not a rehearsal!” But realistically, it’s hard to chuck in a good job. Have you considered starting a side business?

  • Published 03 September 05
  • Peter Crocker
  • 5 Comments

• Starting Out

  Are you planning to run your own business?

  Some valuable pointers if you are planning to run your own business and want your business to thrive, not just survive.

  • Published 15 July 05
  • Grant Hyman
  • 8 Comments

• Starting Out

  Are you suited to working solo?

  If you're thinking about making the leap to soloism, take our quiz and see what the results say about your tendencies toward this way of working.

  • Published 06 July 05

• Starting Out

  Crucial questions for small business start ups

  New small business start ups require plenty of planning. Here are five questions that all aspiring small business owner’s need to consider.

  • Published 06 July 05
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 3 Comments