We have had a difficult time. After all, the corona pandemic has caused many concerns. About our health, society and our immediate family and friends. Yet the corona pandemic has also brought us some good things. Working from home is no longer taboo, we discovered many new hobbies – from cooking and baking to painting and outdoor sports – and although we had to keep 1.5 meters distance, we were closer than ever. 

Things have also changed in work life. Some people have found that a 9-to-5 job is not their cup of tea. Some have lost their jobs and looked for other ways to keep their heads above water. As a result, more and more people have started their own business. Think of an online store, freelance work or from hobby to profession. Do you also want to change course and start your own business? In this article we give you 3 tips that will prepare you for entrepreneurship.

 

Prepare a business plan

Starting a business? That always starts with a business plan. And we do not mean a plan for the upcoming week, but a long-term plan in which you look ahead to the future. In the business plan you answer some important questions: what are your goals, what is your mission and vision, how much money do you have to spend and how much money do you expect to earn, and what makes your company unique compared to your competitors? And not unimportant: what are the possible risks and how do you deal with them?

If you have never made a business plan before, be sure to check the internet or dive into the library. There are numerous books and (web)articles that indicate how to draw up a good business plan in a number of steps.

 

Save time and energy by outsourcing business

We understand that you would like to do the work yourself as much as possible. This way you can do it exactly in the way that you think is best. In addition, of course, it also saves money. However, it is advisable to outsource certain matters to professionals. Then we are talking about activities that cost you a lot of time and energy and which you are not so good at. 

For example, do you hate paperwork and does it cause you a lot of frustration? Then it is better to outsource your administration to a bookkeeper. You can invest the time you have left in things in which you excel! The same goes for chasing bills. Do you suffer from customers who do not pay their bills? Then you can spend an infinite amount of time calling and emailing defaulters, but you can also leave this to a debt collection agency. A debt collection agency has the knowledge and resources to act efficiently and effectively against defaulters. You can even engage a debt collection agency to prepare and send formal reminders (Dutch: laatste aanmaning). Credifin debt collection agency (Dutch: Credifin incassobureau) for example, already does this for a few euros. And, if the collection agency does not achieve results, you will not have any costs. So you don’t have to worry about the cost!

 

Schedule time for yourself

As an entrepreneur you often work day and night, especially in the beginning. However, it is important to really schedule time for yourself. You are of course not waiting for a burnout and there is more to life than work. So make sure you schedule time every day to do things for yourself. Think of reading a good book, a nice walk in nature, dining with the family etc. Choose something that really helps you to relax! That also makes working more bearable in the end!