12 Steps to Starting a Business on the Cloud

With inflation and financial uncertainty, people are looking for side hustles and start up business ideas to make money from home. The nice thing is that all it takes is a computer and maybe a kitchen table. Too many people start a business because they think they have a good idea to make money but don’t really have a passion for it. You need to so love, love, love your idea that you want to put in the hours it takes to make it successful. Here are the steps to create a business on the cloud that really excites you.

1. Discover doing what you love. Take this time to explore within, what your inner purpose is for being on this planet. To find what resonates with your soul, take a sheet of paper and list all the things you love to do including your hobbies, leisure activities and subjects you read about with great curiosity. Somewhere in this list lies the key to your startup. Is there anything that you would like to do for eight hours a day? Circle three that are the most appealing to you. There may be an opportunity to blend these into one business you would love.
2. Identify your values. Then align them with what you love. Your core values help guide your decisions and actions. Connecting your values to what you love is important in designing and creating your envisioned life. Google values and identify your top five.
3. You have a great idea. Is it truly viable on the cloud? Ask yourself, what is your unique selling point? What’s your motivation? Is it aligned with your values and beliefs? Does it solve a problem or contribute to a better world? Would it take advantage of trends? What distinctive thing could give you a competitive advantage? Will people pay for it? Perplexed? Light a candle and just focus on the flame. Practice keeping thoughts from bombarding you. Once you learn to make your mind clear, it will allow space for the inspiration to show up.
4. Everyone needs inspiration. Research success stories of similar businesses. How did they do it? Find a successful entrepreneur that you admire and study their success story. Study their steps and understand that it’s not a linear evolution.  There’s ups and downs in starting a business, but remember if someone else did it successfully, so can you.
5. Validate your concept. Have conversations with individuals in your target market about your concept, then get honest, critical feedback. Talk to professionals with experience in your area of expertise to get their initial reaction and input.
6. X-Ray your skillsets. Your best interest is served by investing in your skill sets, a life-long learning enterprise. However good your personal skills and training are will be the key to your success. Analyze your personal strengths and weaknesses. You will be more likely to succeed if you use your talents to the maximum. And you’ll suffer fewer problems if you know what your weaknesses are and manage them. Then analyze the opportunities and threats of the external marketplace, then adjust accordingly.
7. Write your business plan. The value of a business plan is in the planning, not the plan. The process educates you. It is the living, working document of your vision and the steps to make your vision a reality. Go online and search for a business plan template that most closely matches your concept. It will help you thoroughly think through different aspects of your potential business. If it’s too intimidating, just start with a simple executive summary.
8. Get professional assistance. Show your business plan to professional resource people who have direct experience with your type of business. You at least want input from an attorney and CPA. Consider talking to a business coach who can give you some really good ideas and hold you accountable.
9. Financing your business. This may be stating the obvious, but cash will define how fast you can grow. In the beginning it is usually self-financing from your own resources. The earlier you prove your product or service, the more likely you can get funding from outside sources. Everyone wants you to have skin in the game. And they will all want to see your business plan.
10. Create your brand. You’ll want a unique business name and logo that communicates a clear and powerful message. Try to keep your name short and simple. Does it say who you really are? Is it interesting? Then check for domain availability. Register the domain and set up web hosting. There are many inexpensive online logo designers you can use as a resource once you have selected a name.
11. Set Up internal business operations. Now it’s finally time to set up bank accounts. Choose your accounting software and acquaint yourself with profit and loss statements, balance sheets and cash flow statements. Explore whether you need business insurance.
12. Finalize your marketing plan. Unless you have a product or service that sells itself, marketing is one of your most critical factors for success. To be heard, say something different, simple and visual. Make engagement marketing part of your plan. This is your opportunity to give your target market the WOW factor winning long term loyalty. Show your passion. Surprise and delight. Create what they love. Various forms of engagement marketing are: blogs, email newsletters, twitter chat, E-books, How-to guides, Infographics, videos, podcasts, YouTube and testimonials.

Starting your own business is like a marathon, where you train your body and mind daily for peak performance. Physically, start moving, even if it is only walking. Be mindful about how you are nourishing your body. Develop your own daily morning practice of intention to focus every cell of your body on the objective and turn your passion into starting, building and growing your own business.