How I launched an Online Business in 50 days
Click here to read pertinent disclaimers
On April 18, 2024 I was notified that the corporate position I held was eliminated and as a result I was being laid off. To say I was shocked is an understatement. However, I pushed my bruised pride to the side, scrunched up my sleeves and got to work. 49 days later, on June 6, 2024, I officially launched my small business.
Perhaps a sign from the universe, about a week before I received the layoff news, I had the idea for my eventual business. You should know, I’m an idea generator. Often I’ll document my thoughts for “later” but rarely do I pull the trigger for a significant concept at the same time it pops into my mind. On that fateful day, I immediately put thought into action, started brainstorming, selected a business name and secured a domain.
The day after my layoff notification, on a flight home to celebrate a family birthday, I completed my business plan. Less than a week later, I had full brand guidelines and a functional (yet hidden) website.
I trudged through business formation and financial, legal and tax obligations over the next few weeks while creating a library of content.
Within the first month, I’d finalized testing & launched my website, then turned my focus to marketing. Targeting Pinterest as my primary marketing platform, I researched creative ideas, designed several pins and launched my initial campaign with the support of a Pinterest partner.
Fast forward to present day (~10 days post-launch) I’m nestled in the trial & error phase in which I’m expanding my product line, testing marketing platforms and campaigns and incorporating additional selling vehicles (e.g., Etsy).
I’m an avid proponent of the scaled agile approach to projects. Iteration is key! Was my website flawless at launch? Certainly not. Was my digital tool library complete day 1? Nope. But I had established a framework that has enabled me to make strategic and meticulous adjustments each day since.
As my business is 100% online-based via digital tools and consulting services — an accelerated start-up time was feasible for my scenario. Businesses with physical products will likely require more time and considerations to launch.
The current digital age provides numerous user-friendly tools and resources (such as Canva, Squarespace, ChatGPT and YouTube) that facilitate a quick and easy startup process.
I also encourage you to leverage your community — call upon friends and family for help, advice or preliminary market analysis.
I hope this post serves as inspiration for you to make your dreams a reality — with the right resources, circumstances and drive, you too can launch your small business in a few short months.
So what’re you waiting for?
I’m currently developing a course to share detailed guidance on launching a small business with curated timelines, tasks lists and insights. More to come soon!
Disclaimers
Non-Professional Advice: The information shared in this blog post is based on my personal experience and should not be construed as professional business advice. What worked for me may not work for everyone.
Individual Results May Vary: Results mentioned in this post are specific to my business journey and may not be typical. Success in starting and running a business depends on various factors.
Consultation with Professionals: For personalized business advice or guidance tailored to your specific situation, it is advisable to consult with qualified professionals, such as business advisors, accountants, or attorneys.
No Guarantees: I do not guarantee that following the steps or strategies outlined in this post will lead to similar results for others. Every business venture is unique.
Disclosure of Limitations: This blog post reflects my personal opinions and experiences at the time of writing. Circumstances and best practices in business can change over time.
Legal and Financial Disclaimer: Readers should be aware that starting a business involves inherent risks, and decisions should be made after careful consideration of one's own circumstances.
External Links Disclaimer: Links to third-party websites or resources are provided for informational purposes only. I do not endorse or make any representations about the accuracy or reliability of such resources.
