Starting a (low risk/ low cost) business is LESS risky than working for a company.
Side note: all entrepreneurs should first start a low cost/low risk service business to generate cash flow and learn about selling and delivering service.
Once the basics are mastered, then it may be time to lever up, raise capital go for something "bigger".
Back to risk and entrepreneurship.
Imagine a sales job offer of $40K + commission.
That sounds much safer than starting a business with no immediate income, but is it?
No, because Company X is not going to keep a salesman that cannot sell employed longer than 3 or 4 months.
(see Frank Slootman discussing A, B, and C players).
If the salesman decided to start his service business, he must sell or he will not earn any money.
Either way, the salesman MUST produce! Whether he works for Company X or himself the only option to earn... is to make sales.
The "safety" of his job is:
$3,333/mo BEFORE taxes.
a "guarantee" of 3-4 months.
The "safety" of taking the job at Company X is between $10,000 - $13,000.
What about starting the low cost service business? What's the advantage or upside?
Let's say the salesman started digital marketing agency offering SEO services.
The market rate for services is $2,000/mo and the skill can be learned for FREE online.
He can service 10 clients by himself and will incur costs of $500 per customer.
If the salesman we're going to succeed at Company X he'd be lucky to double his salary with commission to make $80,000.
If he can convince 10 small businesses to give him the reigns over their SEO he will earn $180,000 PROFIT in 12 months after signing his 10th client.
He will outearn his salary by signing 3 clients which can be signed within 6-8 weeks of starting.
Since he owns his own business he also gets the benefits of ownership:
-Write off depreciating assets that benefit the business (Bonus depreciation)
-Tax savings on home office
- higher tax deductible rate for solo 401(k)
- professional service deductions
- many more
There are thousands of talented salespeople that can earn (and keep) more money by becoming self-employed over working for Company X.
Technology reduces the risk in starting a business. Keep it low risk create cash flow.
Cash flow + more free time = more opportunities.
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
Early-stage companies are in a constant battle between growth and staying alive.
I’ve made (and make) several mistakes, here are 6 to avoid:
1. Wasting time on raising capital too early.
Win customers, prove your business model, print profit and maybe you’ll be lucky enough to never need outside capital. Many early-stage hours wasted here.
Investors do not want to invest in pre-revenue startups.
2. Credit cards
Financing marketing campaigns rarely works out well – they need time to optimize. Also, the SaaS recurring fees add up (and most products aren't as good as advertised).
The formula for a great beginner business model in 2020 (and beyond):
Low Expenses + Recurring Payments + Big Market
This took me 4+ years of running businesses to figure this out. Hopefully this saves you time - your most valuable asset...
Investing a lot of (or any) money into a new company is not realistic for most beginners in 2020. The good news for you is that you need about $500 to get started.
Pro tip: do not waste 6 months asking banks for loans you will not get and certainly don't need.
Low expenses: gives you two very important things.
1.The ability to get started
2.The ability to keep going
Without these two freedoms it's not possible to win in business. Winning takes consistent action over long periods of time.