10 Steps to Starting A Startup While Keeping Your Full-Time Job

Opening a business of our own and being our own bosses is on the to-do list of many. But, many of us don't have the luxury to bet all that we have and start on our startup dream journey. In order to keep the hopes of all those people who can't afford to keep their current job at risk in order to fulfil their life long dream, www.indianweb2.com brings to you a list of ten things that you can consider for starting your own business while keeping your full-time job.

1) Passion -

Before taking the final plunge and investing your hard earned money in your venture, ask yourself how badly do you want this to be successful. Starting a business will not be an easy task. While some days might be a cakewalk, there would surely some days under the sun. So, you need to be ready for any challenge that might come your way. Further, try to sort your life and start prioritising things in your life. The more free time you will have, the more you will be able to concentrate on your startup.

2) Take a note of your strong and weak points -

Since it's your business and you will be the one calling the shots, you should be well aware of the tasks that you're strong at and the tasks you would be needing external help. Don't have ego and start thinking that you can do it all, as this can have huge repercussions on your startup.

3) Think about your idea well -

There are thousands of startups launched every month but only a handful of them survive after the initial 3-4 months. The main reason for this is the lack of market need for the products or services being offered by these startups. Therefore, before launching the startup and investing your life time savings it, validate your idea by running it through a sample of potential customers and asking for their honest feedback.

4) Know your USP -

Define the unique thing that distinguishes your startup from the sea of other such firms already present in the market. Your firm needs to have something unique in order to retain itself in the highly competitive market. It can be your product offering, customer service or cost structure etc.

5) Define your goals -

Until and unless you dream about something, you won't achieve it. Hence, you should always have realistic goals set for your startup. For example, after six months, you want it to be able to achieve this much and within an year, you want it to be among the top 10 startups in its category etc. Such goals keep the momentum going and provide a zeal to keep working hard.

6) Roadmap to success -

Once you have set your goals or the destination where you want to reach, you should also figure out a way to reach there. Further, you should always have your backup plan ready in time of a crisis. Problem solving is one thing that you should become really good at.

7) Don't be afraid to outsource -

Once you have decided upon your goals and the roadmap you're going to take to achieve them, start looking out for things which aren't your forte and would require external expert help. Outsource as many things you can as you of course want the best for your startup.

8) Feedback -

Always ask for honest feedback from people other than your family and friends. After all, the product or service that you're offering is ultimately meant to be used by the public. Hence, a whole-hearted acceptance of the product or service is very important.

9) Keep the lines between your work and personal project well defined -

Make sure that you don't use any type of resources, whether hardware or software, of the organisation that you're currently working at for your own personal project because it can get you into deep legal troubles. Also, don't work on your personal project during company time as it can be termed highly unprofessional if you're caught.

10) Be fully prepared before quitting your job -

Research well and be fully sure about the fate of your startup before you walk up to your boss and hand him/her that resignation letter. If possible, hold on to your current job till the time your startup flags off completely and starts making money as till that time you would require some money to sustain on.