7 Steps to Build a Successful Business

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Build a better mousetrap, and the world will beat a path to your door.”

When you’re starting your own business, however, there’s no guarantee that your “mousetrap” is going to survive, especially in today’s fast-paced and competitive business world. Nearly half of all small businesses fail within the first two years of operation. The number one reason for business failure is inadequate planning. The second reason is under-capitalization.

So, before you mortgage your house, or go into debt financing your business, you need to know if your business is going to do more than survive — you want to know if it’s good enough to thrive! Here are six things successful businesses that have stayed in business for five years or longer have in common:

1. Start with a Great Idea

A successful business start-up always starts with an idea, something that makes your business stand out from all the rest. So, how do you know if you got a good idea?

You have a good idea if you can answer yes to the following questions:

Does your idea provide the solution to a significant problem for your target market?
Does it satisfy a need or want?
Does it create an opportunity?

The most successful businesses either fix problems (either real or perceived), or they increase your customer’s pleasure. They create a repeat need for a product or service among the target market.

2. Understand the Market

Your chances of survival are better if you can answer the following questions with a yes:

Is there already a market for your product or service? It’s much easier to fill a need than trying to create an entirely new market.
Can your target market afford to buy your products or services? If they can’t afford it, it doesn’t matter how great it is, you won’t sell any!
Will your target market perceive your product or service as valuable? If they want it, but don’t think it’s worth what you’re selling it for, you won’t make any sales.

3. Study Successful Companies

Use other successful businesses in your market as a guide. When you’re getting started, look around. What businesses are successful? Why? What is it they’re doing that is working? What attributes do you admire and why? You stand a better chance of succeeding if you’re modeling someone who is already successful.

4. Get What You Need

Ask yourself the following questions:

Do you have the people, the resources, and the knowledge to be able to consistently provide your products or services to your target market?
Can you maintain a competitive advantage? What do you need to compete with existing and upcoming players in the market?
Do you have enough manpower? Do you need to find a partner, or hire employees?
Can you purchase the supplies and materials you need over the long run?

Identify what you need to build a successful business early and start putting them in the right place as soon as possible. But it is important that you keep a balance between rushing into decisions versus being indecisive.

5. Create a Solid Business Plan

Your business plan is more than an essay on “Why I deserve to get funding for my idea.” Don’t spend all the time creating a business plan, and then toss it in the bottom drawer of your desk. Your business plan should be a living, breathing road map that helps you make sure you’re on course and reaching the goals that you set for your business. Don't create a 50-page business plan either. Figuring out your industry, competition, products, business model, and marketing strategy is more important than having a perfectly written and formatted document. That is, focus on content, not format.

6. Raise Capital

Although the term “bootstrap entrepreneur” describes most small-business owners, having enough capital to be able to keep your business afloat is vital to your survival.

When you’re creating your financial analysis of your business, make sure you’re being realistic about costs and expenditures, so that you give yourself the cushion you need to succeed.

If finding financing is a problem, either because you don’t have enough credit or equity, or there are other problems, take the time to look into the resources that are available in your community. There are a wide variety of grants and loans (including microloans) for entrepreneurs, if you know where to look.

Some great resources will be:

The Small Business Administration
Small Business Development Centers
Women’s Organizations
Local University or Community College
Chamber of Commerce
SCORE - a nonprofit association dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals through education and mentorship
Nonprofit organizations that work on economic development in your area

7. Find a Mentor

Most entrepreneurs have great skills and abilities, but no one does everything well. You probably already know what your strengths and weaknesses are. (If not, there are many resources and tools that can help you figure them out!) Rather than ignoring your weaknesses, find a mentor who can help you either build your skills in your weaker areas, or offer advice for getting what you need.

If you take the time to plan to succeed, you could be creating a legacy that will be enjoyed by future generations, and that other entrepreneurs will look at as a model for building their own businesses.