Just surviving 2020 was an accomplishment. With a global pandemic, a national election, and what seemed like a new catastrophe each week, it was a roller coaster of a year. While we hope that 2021 won’t be nearly as exciting, it is in your best interest moving forward to ensure your personal and professional growth this year. It may be the perfect time to start your own business.
Fortunately for you, the skills and experience you’ve earned from 2020 have prepared you in many ways. The most challenging part might be coming up with a unique name—but there are tools out there like the Wix business name generator to help you come up with creative ideas. Check out these 5 reasons that this might be the right year for you to launch a business of your own:
1. You’re a “Work from Home” Pro Now
If asked at the beginning of last year, most companies and individuals would likely say that working from home wasn’t feasible for them. They would cite the difficult logistics of a remote setup, the potential drawbacks to employee productivity, and the cost of the transition. When the COVID-19 pandemic began and people put measures in place to prevent its spread, working remotely suddenly went from being a lofty endeavor to being the only option.
The learning curve was steep for everyone involved, but now you have cleared the big hurdles and worked out the little kinks. You likely have a committed workspace and routines that you developed over the months. What started as an inconvenient necessity is now normal, and you can be productive from home.
2. Working for Others has No Guarantees
The idea of starting a business is daunting to many people who are used to the apparent security of having an employer and benefits, but your job is not set in stone. Your position, your income, and your benefits can all disappear in the blink of an eye without you having any say in the matter. As long as you depend on another individual or corporation for your employment, your livelihood is subject to their decisions.
Even if the office can feel like a family sometimes, the business must look out for itself. With COVID causing financial difficulties for everybody, many companies are cutting back to save money, and that means that your paycheck, benefits, hours, and job are not as secure as you may think.
3. Technology is on Your Side
If you still can’t picture yourself taking on the responsibility, it may help to know that starting a business requires nothing more than a smartphone to begin. Technology is constantly evolving to help you do new and exciting things every day. All of the tools and information that you need to help you along in your endeavor are at your fingertips as long as you have an internet connection and a device that connects to the internet.
The internet is full of guides to walk you through exactly how to start your own business, from the broadest beginnings to the tedious details. Even if you don’t know what kind of business you would be able to run, the resources provided by advancing technology can help with that. You can explore options you would never think of by yourself, learn how to monetize your skills, and find all of the forms and permits you need, all without leaving your living room.
4. Unique Times Call for Unique Ideas
The drastic shift to remote work has created challenges and pitfalls, but it hasn’t been all struggle. The new normal requires us to be flexible and adapt to the changing needs of not only our own lives, but our society as well.
There are gaps in the market just waiting for your business to fill them. Companies hosting services online are in need of graphic designers, marketing professionals, and technology experts. Many individuals can use home delivery, entertainment, and help to maintain or improve their mental and physical well-being. Families are looking for childcare, tutoring, and anything to keep the kids and parents from going crazy stuck at home.
We have already proven that we have the creative minds and innovative abilities to improvise solutions to brand new problems. It only makes sense to get in on it now, to use your skills and motivation to fill a need created by the changing world.
5. Freedom and Legacy
Starting your own business affords you a level of freedom that you would be hard pressed to find working for someone else. You set your own schedule, manage your own time and leave room to focus on what matters to you. You can spend time with family and friends, do what you like to do, and still have a fulfilling professional life.
The benefits of that freedom are not limited to what you do outside of work. As the founder of your own business, you also have the freedom to run the business in your style, rather than being beholden to corporate policies. You have the power to make the world a better place, create something bigger than yourself, and provide a valuable experience to your customers and community.
After the ups and downs of 2020, it seems that the new year is the perfect time for a fresh start. The technology and resources that you need to start your own business are at your disposal, so you will have help at every step along the way. There is truly no time like the present. Brainstorm what unique and innovative skills you have to bring to the table, do your research, and start laying a foundation for a better life.
- 5 Reasons 2021 Is the Year of the Entrepreneur - January 20, 2021
