If you are fed up with the 9-5 grind, you have probably floated the idea of going into business for yourself. But what if you want to make your business greener and more in line with your ethics? Here are some of the first steps you can take to create your own sustainable business…
Create a Business Plan
This can be one of the most important steps to having your own business but it is also one of the steps that people hate to do. Creating a business plan is a road map for your business. By setting out clear goals and objectives of what you want to achieve, you are more likely to succeed. You don’t need to overthink every little detail, but the more research you put into your plan, the better you will cope with unexpected surprises.
Get Some Funding
Depending on what your business is, you may need some type of funding. The big question is, as a sustainable and environmentally friendly business, where can you go? Thankfully, there is a growing interest in these types of small businesses and more eco friendly and ethical options are becoming available. Depending on where you live, there may even be ethical funding for your business as long as it fits certain guidelines.
Launch Time
A lot of businesses choose to have a fancy and flashy launch when they are ready to do business. This might seem like a great idea, but is it really worth it? If it is done properly it can be a great idea. However, these launches can create a ton of waste. Glitter and confetti can be bad for the environment. Printing out leaflets can create waste that ends up in a landfill. Of course, it is possible to launch without the waste, you just need to be creative with your party and promotion.
Stay On Top
When we say this, we don’t mean beating your competitors. By staying on top, we mean paperwork. You might need to consider an accounting firm revenue service to help keep your accounts in order. You will also need to ensure that all of your paperwork is up to date. Forgetting about this paperwork can be costly to your business, especially if you haven’t been paying attention and missed deadlines for eco grant payments. If you have trouble with it all, you might need to hire some help.
Stay True to Your Ethics
There is a good chance that you have decided to open your own business because the ethics and operations of the businesses you have worked in did not line up with your ethics. Some days will be good, some days will be awful, but never consider corrupting your ethics because business isn’t going the way you would like it to. Sustainable and environmentally minded businesses are growing, so yours will have a good chance. Never be afraid to adjust your business but don’t throw your morals out.
*This is a collaborative post