How do I get my business started with a limited budget?
I have incorporated a business name legally in my country with the government agency that handles business registration and have procured the basic documents and tools to kick-start the business of selling cement and handle general contracts, but I do not have financing. What's the best way to get started on a low budget? Should I focus on getting funding? If so, what's the best source of funding for a business like mine?
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Sep 28, 2014
You must get started no matter how little. Get an office. Get a bank account where your history can be traced. With operation for a little time as 1yr, it's easy to get funding. Organisations as Aspire do a lot in helping small start up. Try them.
Sep 23, 2014
First of all, you need to make contacts with suppliers who will provide you with cement that you are going to sell. You probably don't have to buy any right away but you will need to know much you can get, at what rate and how long will it take for the supplier to fill your orders.
You will also need to get information on the quality of the items you are planning to sell. You'll use this information when talking to potential customers.
You'll need to determine the price you charge to customers. For this you'll need to know the current market rate of the products you plan to sell as well as other information, such as who your target customer is. Your price should be high enough to portray the quality of the things you sell and not too high to discourage buyers. It should also cover all your expenses. You'll also need to consider how much discount to give to bulk or repeat orders and what price to take upfront from customers.
In addition to information about the products you plan to supply, you'll also need information about your target customer. Are your target customers individuals who buy limited amounts for personal use or are they construction companies that buy in bulk? You'll then need to find a way to contact your target customer. If your target customers are companies, you'll find it easier to directly contact them. You can do so by phone or sales visits.
You'll need this information when preparing a business plan too.
Sep 23, 2014
I concur with Jillian. You want to be careful putting the cart before the horse in a business situation because you can end up being in reactionary mode vs. planning and execution mode. Prepare a business plan so you can document your customer base, competitors, advantages of doing business with you, goals and weaknesses. Secure that and then create your website, attach a Facebook widget, Twitter widget and even your local construction association link. Join the chamber of commerce, create a Facebook page, develop a simple brochure, print and disburse business cards, make copies of your liability insurance coverage page and just start hitting the pavement. Minimal cost to market and personal networking is the best. May want to invest in a couple of trade events with a table top display and whatever relevant materials to get your sales points across.
Sep 23, 2014
thanks very much Robert, for your comment, i am also in same situation. i just registered my business six months ago, and i have been searching for Funding and Partners for my company till date, its proving difficult to find either funding nor Partners.
I need now from your advice to set up a website and also develop a business plan
My business is into construction and African Food exports
Contact:
Mr. Epoh Eseh
Tel: 237 76 25 98 43
Tel: 237 94 73 99 26
Sep 22, 2014
When i started up i did the above but agree with Jillian. Write a Business Plan first focus on your cash flow and determine your start up and running costs. A cash flow chart will confirm your honeymoon period. I got a guaranteed small business loan (UK) which was 85% underwritten by the Government this covered my running costs and overheads for the first 4/5 months.
That was 13 years ago.
Good luck!!
Sep 22, 2014
STEPS:
Please fill the following steps
(0) Market re-search………………………….why?
(1) Market re-search……………………………what?
(2) Market re-search…………………………..How?
(3) Title or name …with respect to name, with respect to business, with respect to location, with respect to era.
(4) Motto…with respect to business.
(5) Dimensions.
(6) Competitor.
(7) Mission Statement.
(8) Vision Statement.
(9) Location……with respect to positive and negative aspects.
(10)Team…………..with portfolio.
(11)Finance……..Fix and Running.
(12)Finance Management……with feasibility report in the form of chart.
(13)Business Formula.
(14)Business Flow…with the help of flow chart.
(15)Mathematical Model of Production…with cost estimation method.
(16)Promotion Strategy ……..with Probability or regression model.
(17)Risk factor…with your weak points (S (strengths) W (weaknesses) O (opportunities) T (threats) Analysis).
(18)Role of Technology.
(19)Growth Graph.
(20)Break Even.
Sep 22, 2014
Congrats Mfon on your new business.
Your business could be a home based B2C or a B2B.
If you are in B2C, you could start by informing your social circle and neighborhood to spread the words to get the first sales. You may ask for downpayment/ deposit for the material costs and collect the service charge when the work is done.
If you are in B2B, you need to prepare more extensively for your corporate clients, setting a well presented web-site and your business profile. You may approach trade unions or associations and get listed in their directory. When you secure any job, always sign a proper contract. And when you fail to get deposit payment from your clients, you may approach banks for financing based on contracts you secured.
Moving forward, if you need to grow your business properly, i suggest that you draft out a your business model which help you to focus on the key elements of startup. I recommend that you take a look at Business Model Canvas.
And reserve at least 6 months of your financial resources as a start. Stay lean, stay focus on generating sales.
Please let me know if you need further help. Best of luck to you.
Sep 22, 2014
This one of the most common issues...There is not a simple answer to your question. Anyone can start a business with a limited budget. The number one reason start-up businesses fail, is due to under capitalization! You need to have your business plan with projections based on the necessary funds needed to support the business until you break-even. This includes paying yourself and what you need make as an income.
Sep 22, 2014
I would start be seeing how much of a demand here is initially for your services or products,,, nothing happens without a sale...I would make personal call first to the potential buyers you generate through research.. Library, Internet etc. by SIC code in the gov't local state and national,,,,
Basically I believe low budget and go sell and get the budget up
Sep 22, 2014
hi I agree with Mr Donnelly, If you have not done it yet, set up your social media, get your business facebook page up, set up your Google plus,google local, account, and what other social media fits your business, it is all free to do, you just need to stay on top of it and post items, articles, ect. do your research.and get the word out about your business.
Best Wishes