10 Signs You Need To Start Your Own Business

As entrepreneurship has always been a strong interest of mine and one of the key motivators of all my actions, it often comes up as a topic of discussion with friends and acquaintances. Speaking with people about starting a business made me realise that a common worry is that the whole process seems quite intimidating and terrifying to people who have not done it before. That is absolutely normal as I doubt there has ever been a single person who felt certain about starting their own business.

My team and I strongly believe that anyone can start their own business. This belief is one of our core values and one of the reasons that made us start our company in the first place. Our experience of working with people from all sorts of different backgrounds who managed to become some of the most successful entrepreneurs has confirmed that so far. Entrepreneurship is not only for the brave – if you are here reading this article thinking what it would be like to start your own business, then you are already there.

Here are 10 signs that you probably need to start your own business:

1. You are not too happy at work

If you are sick of that 9-5 job stuck in the office, or you’ve become fed up and are looking for a new challenge, or you simply cannot find a job that is fulfilling enough, then you have to try something new. Most people would just apply for another job in a similar field (and likely end up feeling the same). My suggestion is to truly explore all your options and always keep in mind that there is an extra one, often overlooked – that of becoming your own boss.

2. You want to be more flexible

Do you dislike your office environment? Would you prefer working from the comfort of your own home? Are you in full-time employment or a parent and are looking for an additional income? Being an entrepreneur is all about being in control, making your own decisions and being flexible to work on your terms.

3. You enjoy learning

Starting your own business requires quite a diverse skill set. Not everything will be about the product you are trying to sell anymore – you also need to be a good leader, a strong communicator, a networker, a decision maker and so on. No need to panic if you are not a natural talent in all these areas, most people aren’t – I definitely wasn’t. What you do need to have, however, is the willingness to learn new things. Becoming a business owner can be one of the few professions that require you to constantly acquire new skills and knowledge - which is quite the exciting journey!

4. You are passionate

One thing that is common among all business owners is that they are visionary people with a passion for making their dreams come true and sharing them with other people. If you find there is a particular product or idea that you find inspiring or a vision you would love to pursue, then it is worth considering taking it to the next level.

5. You like helping people

Once again, I can speak from experience here and say that when I first decided to start my own business I had a strong desire to help other business owners – and still do. If you are genuinely interested in helping other people and believe you can find a creative way to do so, perhaps it is time to launch that business.

6. You are creative

Creative people often feel restricted working for someone else. Setting up your own business is one of the best ways to share your original ideas and express your thoughts. Don’t let your creativity be filtered – be yourself!

7. You want to set your own schedule

Not everyone is made to work from 9 to 5 (not everyone is made to work in general, but that’s another story!). Different people can have different ‘productive hours’. If you are one of these people who wish they had a different schedule, perhaps it is worth considering starting your own company. Being an entrepreneur means you get to decide which days and times you work, and when you get to have a break or a holiday.

8. You are looking for an additional income

Are you perfectly happy with your current job, but feel like you’ve still got a lot of free time in your hands? Have you always wanted to start your own thing on the side? Starting a business can be a lot of work, but not always. The good thing about being your own boss is that you decide how much time you are going to invest and when you are going to invest it. If you like the idea of having your own business, but want to take it slow then by all means do – there are numerous examples of successful businesses which did not grow overnight.

9. You are motivated

People who are naturally self-motivated to get things done tend to be successful entrepreneurs. If you are one of those people, I would definitely recommend you consider entrepreneurship. If not, don’t be discouraged – it just means that you could use a mentor. Find someone that can push you to do the right thing and keep you motivated throughout the journey. That could be a friend, a family member or a business partner.

10. You want something more from life

Do you ever wonder if what you do for a living is actually meaningful or if your actions have a positive impact to those around you? If you are interested in creating something meaningful and making a change in this world, then chances are you are ready to become a business owner. Building something of your own is a significant achievement – plus you will always have an interesting story to tell people!

Be aware that entrepreneurship can be a tough but rewarding road. Ultimately, the most important piece of advice is to simply follow your heart and start trusting yourself. At some point, undoubtedly, you will get discouraged. Remember not to give up.

Enjoy the journey, and good luck!