Starting your own business is quite gratifying and liberating. You get to be your own boss and have the opportunity to build something from the ground up. Now that we’ve got the glamour of it out of the way, let’s talk about the challenges of launching a business. 

Even the most brilliant idea won’t be able to translate into a successful business because of poor execution and lack of funds. Strategically procuring, managing and deploying money is crucial when it comes to running a business. 

In this post, we’re sharing common financial mistakes new business make and the best ways to avoid them. Let’s get started.

 

Just relying on personal savings

Employing personal savings is a good place to start when you’re planning to launch a business. You have complete control over the funds and don’t have to pay a high-interest rate. 

That being said, just relying on personal savings is not a smart decision. There is a limited amount of funds available, which doesn’t promise long-term business growth.

 

No business plan or budget

Proceeding without a business plan or budget is a terrible idea. You might as well pack up and shut it down before it takes off. 

It’s crucial to prepare a detailed business plan and budget and use them to guide your financial decisions. Moreover, a business plan will help you persuade lenders and investors to invest in your venture. 

 

Mixing personal and business finances

Even if you’re running a business alone, it’s not a good idea to mix personal and business finances. You should set up separate personal and business accounts to efficiently track how much money your venture is making. Having a distinct business account will also come in handy for taking out loans in the future.

 

Growing too fast

It’s imperative to grow at a steady pace. Growing too fast and rushing into diversification could be the reasons for the downfall of your business.

 

Overspending

Starting a business is quite exciting, but don’t let this excitement drive you into overspending. Understandably, you would require office space, equipment, materials and so on. But be careful about avoiding impulse purchases. Buy what you need and can afford.

 

Rushing funding decisions

An investor willing to invest in your business is a coveted opportunity, but it’s important to consider its implications carefully. An investor will likely expect control over business operations and thus, diluting your ownership. Also, make sure they’re like-minded and share your vision for the future of the venture.

 

Ignoring tax obligations

Business tax obligation is far more complex than paying personal tax. To make it easier, pay taxes quarterly instead of annually.

 

Insufficient cash 

To efficiently carry out operations, a business needs to make payments for raw materials, rent, utilities, employees remuneration and other expenses. And that won’t be possible without adequate cash. 

If your business is struggling with maintaining sufficient cash flow, don’t hesitate to seek financial assistance. Consider taking out a short-term loan from Mulah.

 

Not creating an emergency fund

When you start a business, no two days are the same. Considering the unpredictability of the business world, creating an emergency fund is the best idea. Whether the business is going through a dry spell or the economy is slowing down, an emergency fund will help your business survive a rough financial patch.

 

DIYing bookkeeping

We advise you to reserve DIY for craft and home decor projects and not bookkeeping. It would be difficult to track the profitability of your business with inaccurate financial books. You should involve an accounting professional to take care of bookkeeping.

By avoiding these financial blunders, you can lead your business towards a brighter future.