Becoming an independent entrepreneur: how do you do that best?

The bullet is through the church: you are going to start your own business. Become an independent entrepreneur. Exciting! You have undoubtedly already obtained information from the Chamber of Commerce, your bank or an acquaintance or family member with your own company. On countless websites for starters, the tip lists and checklists fly around your ears. Many starters, however, discover after a few weeks that starting your (first) own company is more than just carrying out a checklist. A Chamber of Commerce registration arranging, opening a business account, printing business cards - everyone can do that in a nutshell. But how do you become now really a successful independent entrepreneur?

Doing business is also a profession

Whether you want to become a copywriter or open a nail salon, always keep in mind the following rule of thumb: doing business independently is a profession in itself. Starting your own hair salon is something fundamentally different than working in someone else's hair salon. An independent entrepreneur, in addition to his own profession, always has the additional function of self-employed. There is a lot involved and it is not always easy.

Immerse yourself in accounting

As an independent entrepreneur you will, for example, have to be able to keep your bookkeeping in a fast, error-free and well-organized manner. Not only because the Tax Authorities expect that from you, but also because (if it's right) you didn't start a business because you enjoy spending so many evenings and weekends behind a pile of papers or a Excel sheet to sit. If you make sure that you are familiar with the accounting phenomenon in advance and, for example, know whether you can work best with Excel or still need special accounting software, this will save you a lot of time and effort in the long term. Time that you can invest in your company in due course instead of working out your overdue administration.

Doing business is hard work

There are a thousand and one good reasons to start your own business - for example, because of the challenge, because you really like the work, or because you, as a self-employed person, may be able to earn more than being employed. Count on it, however, that starting your own business does not lead to shorter working days or a lower workload. Doing business is hard work and that does not stop when the forty hours are up. Be prepared to deliver that investment and realize that you are responsible for running the necessary hours. Nobody will correct you or discuss the progress with you.

A diploma for entrepreneurs?

There are extensive courses for many 'regular' courses, but are they self-employed? People learn that by doing. The self-employed become wise through learning and shame and learn through experience. There is no such thing as an entrepreneurial diploma. But nowadays you can get well educated as a self-employed person. With an education Start your own business make sure you are well prepared. You choose the industry and direction of your (future) company and the curriculum ensures that you come into contact with all the knowledge and skills that belong to your new company. Most programs last a few months, but you will also receive personal assistance after the start of your business. And that's great, because then you will be assisted in practice.