“Starting a business” sounds like a single task list item, especially if you have ADHD like me. You just… start it, right? 

Alas, no. There’s things like finding out what to offer, making it really enticing for people, promoting it, selling it, delivering on it (whether it’s a product or service), and keeping people happy in the process. Then there’s filing for things like LLCs and taxes — ick. And then there’s managing your own time, having calls, figuring out tech shit you have no right figuring out.

The list goes on. Just reading that, you might be doubting if you really want to start an online business in 2023 or if you’re just really hating your day job.

That’s called overwhelm — but it doesn’t have to be that way. I want anyone who wants to run their own business to have the tools to do so.

That’s why, in today’s post, I’m sharing five steps to starting an online business in 2023. With these simple strategies, you’ll get a plan in place to make shit happen for you, instead of wandering around aimlessly trying to figure out how to get it all started (and falling down the Google rabbit hole until 3 am)!

Step 1: Develop an idea

The first thing any successful business does is develop a good idea. This means identifying a problem or opportunity in the market and figuring out how to solve it or capitalize on it — and using your skills and unique value to do it. 

You don’t have to be the next Steve Jobs and create something completely revolutionary to have a good business idea, but capitalizing on an existing problem with existing resources or products can help you identify an area where you can find your footing. 

This may take time. Some people have loads of ideas written down already, and some people just know they want to own a business. Either way, some market research is in store for you!

Before you make any big moves, you have to understand the demand for what you want to offer to see if you have a chance of selling it. And then you need to figure out the what’s, why’s, and how’s of this offer. Ask yourself if you really have everything you need to offer it…and if not, it might be time to go back to the drawing board.

My tips?

Think about a service or offer that could be “niched down.” Do you have a general skillset, like graphic design or bookkeeping? Maybe you can offer graphic design for dentists or bookkeeping for private chefs. 

Step 2: Create a business plan

Once you have a solid business idea, it’s time to create a plan to make it happen!  A business plan is a document that outlines your business’s goals, strategies, and financial projections. It’s important to have a clear plan in place to guide your business’s growth and help you secure funding if needed.

It’s not the sexiest thing in the world, but it is insanely important! Even if you don’t plan on bringing anyone else into the mix, writing all this down will help you solidify a clear path forward and reference it any time you need — especially as you start to think about things like branding. 

Knowing what you want to do with your business makes it easier to effectively market it to the right people!

Step 3: Secure funding

Not every business will need to secure funding. There have been so many that started from the ground up on nothing but good ideas and hard work.

But…depending on what kind of business you want to start…securing funding can mean you get there a lot faster. You won’t have to wait until you have enough cash to get access to the technology and software you need to keep things running. Or to hire a helping hand so you don’t get burnt out. Plus, all of that is expensive. 

And it doesn’t have to be the type of funding you see on TV shows or movies about how all those big tech companies got started, either. 

There are multiple ways to do this, like loans or grants. Most of the time, it’s super lowkey and won’t require you to have a fancy lunch you can’t afford with any big suits (unless that’s your thing of course. Carry on, then.)

Step 4: Build your team

Hiring help that knows how to do something you don’t like doing…like copywriting or crunching numbers? Now that’s sexy. 

Launching a successful business may take more than just one person. Consider the possibility of hiring a team (or just one person, if needed) to help you with different aspects of the business, like marketing, operations, and finance depending on what you think you’ll need the most help with right away. 

Don’t get me wrong — there’s always a lot to do, no matter what “function” that may be. But don’t just hire help because you think that role is something you need. Think about what you can realistically get done, what you have time for, and what you know you’re not going to want to do.

And then, when you’re sure of what you want, make sure that person is also aligned with your business’s vision and goals.

Step 5: Launch launch baby!

I hope you read that to the tune of Ice Ice Baby, because I sure did. And a good thing too because this is when the party gets pumped up like your 12th birthday at the roller rink, only better — and without the braces or chunky glasses!

The final step is to actually launch your business and start growing it. This means implementing your business plan, building your team, and executing your marketing and sales strategies. It’s important to be flexible and to be prepared to make adjustments as you learn more about your customers and the market — because that will happen, and that’s okay! 

But for now, take a moment to bask in the success of finally getting your biz up and running! You did it, bb. Proud of you. 

Keep the momentum going

Worried about whether or not your new biz is going to reach the heights you want it to? Whether that’s 7 figures or just making enough to buy whatever you want at Whole Foods, the pressure is definitely on. 

But I promise, it is possible. And I can show you how!

I’ve got something new in the works that I can’t announce just yet, but know that if you want to know how to have a (not-so-secretly) successful business and experience success deeper than just money or a big team, then this is the thing for you. 

For now, you can head over to christinascalera.com/secret to get on my email list and be the first to know when all the juicy deets drop!