The Balance Small Business
Things to Consider Before Starting a Business
  • Becoming an Owner
    • Small Business
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Online Business
    • Home Business
    • View All
  • Industries
    • Retail Small Business
    • Nonprofit Organizations
    • Restauranting
    • Freelancing & Consulting
    • View All
  • Operations
    • Business Law & Taxes
    • Marketing
    • Accounting
    • Supply Chain Management
    • View All
visit our other sites
Small Business
  • Starting a Business
  • Business Ideas
  • Business Plans
  • Getting Financing
  • Office Setup
  • Marketing & Sales
  • Running Your Office
  • Online Business
  • Growing Your Business
  • Customer Service
  • Management
  • Taxes & Accounting
  • Canadian Tax Info
  • Incorporating a Canadian Business
  • Small Business Tools
  • Business Letter Writing
  • Resources
  • Growing Your Small Business
  • All Small Business
    Small Business Starting a Business

    Things to Consider Before Starting a Business

    8 Resources to Help You Decide If You Should Start a Business

    • Share
    • Flip
    • Pin
    • Email
    By Alyssa Gregory
    Updated February 24, 2018

    Are you wondering if you should start a business? There are many factors that play a part in the decision, so it can be difficult to decide whether or not starting a business is the right decision, and if now is the right time to do it.

    Here are right resources to help you determine if you should start a business, and prepare for the business startup process.

  • 01
    Questions to Ask Yourself Before Starting a Business

    Female owner unpacking box with utility knife at store
    Maskot / Getty Images

    One of the best ways to boost the excitement of starting a business and shrink the fear of the unknown is by being prepared. You may not be able to plan for every possibility and challenge that might occur, but you can get yourself on the path to success by considering these five questions before jumping in with both feet.

  • 02
    10 of the Most Common Small Business Startup Mistakes

    There are several common and dangerous mistakes many new business owners make that can negatively impact their businesses. Here are 10 of the most common mistakes to avoid as you consider starting a small business.

  • 03
    Is Having a Passion for Business Enough?

    Having a business passion is important, but passion alone is not enough to make a new business successful. Here are some of the other factors that, when combined with passion, can set you on the path to small business success.

  • 04
    Five Barriers to Starting a Business

    Entrepreneurs today have access to a wealth of knowledge, a variety of support sources and reduced startup costs, but starting a business doesn't come without challenges. Here is a look at five common barriers to small business success to help you develop a plan to overcome them.

  • 05
    10 Common Character Traits of Successful Small Business Owners

    When you compare the entrepreneurs behind successful small businesses, a handful of character traits rise to the top. Review these powerful character traits that describe successful small business owners to measure what traits you have that can help you reach success if you start a business.

  • 06
    Personality Types of Entrepreneurs

    There are nine personality types of entrepreneurs, based on the 9-point circle of the Enneagram. By identifying your dominant personality theme, you can understand how you will operate in your business and identify areas where you may need to improve.

  • 07
    Free Online Business Training Programs

    Part of deciding if you should start a business is evaluating and fine-tuning your skills. Free online business training programs are a great way for aspiring small business owners to polish their skills before entering the world of small business ownership.

  • 08
    Online Resources for Women Small Business Owners

    If you are an aspiring woman small business owner, there are a number of online resources that can help you learn, grow and develop business opportunities. Here are 47 resources, including professional organizations, networking groups, informational websites, conferences and events, government organizations, membership clubs and support groups.

  • Bakery owner working at laptop

    What You Need In Addition to Passion to Successfully Start a Business

  • small business week

    7 Ways to Break Through Your Business Challenges During Small Business Week

  • team members on an obstacle course

    10 Character Traits of Successful Small Business Owners

  • 10 Reasons It Is Never Too Late to Start a Small Business

  • goal setting

    Top 5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Starting a Business

  • People in small business planning a project

    Starting a Business? Avoid These 10 Common Mistakes

  • Pensive businesswoman looking away in conference room

    Online Resources for Women Small Business Owners

  • Female small business owner putting up open sign on laundrette door

    3 Questions to Answer Before Starting a Business

  • Businessman in conference room

    Do You Have What it Takes to be an Entrepreneur?

  • startup location

    These Are the Best U.S. States for Your Startup

  • Happy business owner in front of his new store.

    Everything You Need to Know About Starting Your Own Business

  • Young woman fashion designer working in home studio

    Here Is What to Know Before Starting a Business Out of Your Home

  • Start-up Business Team Working in Office

    5 Resources to Start a Business

  • barriers to success

    How to Break the 5 Biggest Barriers to Starting a Business

  • Businessman Thinking

    6 Steps to Starting a Home-Based Business That Will Succeed

  • couplebusinessplanning.jpg

    The 10 Mistakes You Don't Want to Make When Starting a Business

Our Best Money Tips, Delivered
You're in! Thanks for signing up.
There was an error. Please try again.
Facebook Pinterest Twitter Flipboard Linkedin
  • Becoming an Owner
  • Industries
  • Operations
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Editorial Guidelines
Also from The Balance Team
The Balance
The Balance Careers
The Balance Small Business is part of the Dotdash publishing family.
  • Lifewire
  • ThoughtCo
  • TripSavvy
  • The Spruce
  • and more