To be an entrepreneur is a kind of art because you should develop your project with creativity, passion, and love regardless of any difficulties and days of extreme laziness (I am sure, there are such days in your life). So, the only secret to success is a big desire and patience.

Starting any startup is a process of step-by-step actions everyone should follow to see the results. I will describe the basic components you should take into account at the very beginning of your wonderful entrepreneurial journey.

Let’s start:

1. Idea

Everything starts with a dream. Business starts with an idea. If you have one, it is great! The first step is done. But what if you don’t have it?

Read also: 11 creative ways to generate great business ideas

Try to think about your own interests or problems you would like to solve. Remember that you should be the number one customer for your business.

For example, you cannot launch a successful project for vegans, if you are not a vegan yourself, or it will take you much more time for research and analysis. Think about things you really enjoy, understand, and would like to devote your life to.

I started my company because I love art and design, though I am not a designer myself. I worked at marketing agencies for more than 5 years and managed projects for many huge companies. But I have always wanted to work with starters, creators, and people who are inspired by what they do. So, I decided to create my own company with my dream team and the best design services for startups.

2. Analysis

Don’t be afraid of this step and try not to avoid it. The analysis is your tool for understanding the market and its needs. You can ask your family and friends if your idea is interesting to them. Googling can also help to learn about competitors, their pluses, and minuses to being used in your own startup.

3. Development

It is high time to develop your idea and implement everything you planned. It is cool if you have a team or at least a partner because at this step any support really matters. But if you are starting alone, ask people to help with steps they are more skilled at. It will help you to save time and avoid mistakes.

Read also: Take this test and learn if you are ready for business

4. Launch

Never think that you should go to the market only when your product is perfect. There is a technique called MVP (minimum viable product). It is a product with enough features to see the world and satisfy early users. Do the first version of your product and launch. Such a strategy will help you to minimize cost losses and get customers’ feedback.

5. Improvement

When your project is launched to start working with clients asking them about their feedback. This step is one of the most important because only now you can understand if you are on the right way or your project requires considerable changes. Sometimes it happens that you need to transform your initial idea in order to create a cool product.

Consider the following startup ideas:

6. Growth

This step has no endpoint. There is always room for development and a place for growth. My key advice is to go in pace with time and customers’ needs even if it requires transforming your project.

And one more thing! Remember, that one day you will be at the place you always wanted to be and keep on working.

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Tetiana Artemova

Tetiana Artemova is an entrepreneur and owner of IStartHub, a business media for ambitious female entrepreneurs and small business owners.