Starting a new business offers rewards and challenges that attract thousands of new businessmen every year. Owning a business for many people is the American dream that allows them the opportunity to be their own boss, earn money for themselves, work at home, and work at something they like. However, with the rewards, come the challenges and more than 50% of all new businesses fail in the first five years of existence. Most businessmen and bankers agree that the main reasons for the high failure rate is the lack of experience, business and financial planning, and management skills. Those taking on a new business venture must begin by developing sound business and marketing plans to guide them through the initial start-up years. They must possess and display strong management skills and business technology knowlege and have the ability to convince potential lenders to finance their business venture. They will need to research the type of business they intend to start, the feasibility of starting the business, the best locations to ensure a successful outcome, etc.

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need a huge outlay of cash – or any cash at all – to launch new business. Here’s how to start new business:

1. Stay at home. Renting office space is expensive and unnecessary during the first several months while starting new business. If your home is not conducive to concentration, create a movable office by working in coffee shops or other locations with free wi-fi. For professional meeting arrangements, pick a reasonably priced, but nice, restaurant for lunch. If you absolutely need an office, see if your town or city’s economic development office provides low-rent incubator space for new businesses.
2. Learn financials. It is helpful to know how to read financial statements even if you plan on hiring a bookkeeper or accountant when your business takes off. Self educate through the web. Learn the basics of balance sheets and income statements.
3. Hiring employees is another expense you can avoid in the start up phase of your business. If you don’t have cash to hire experts, but desperately need a graphic artist, writer or web designer, see if there is a pool of students you can draw from a local college or university internship program. Or, learn to do it yourself until you are making enough money in your business to hire a professional.
4. Once you have a website, let all your friends, neighbors and family know you have started a business (and include a link to your site); encourage them to forward the news on to their friends and business associates.
5. Become your own PR person. Learn the basics of writing a press release and send out an announcement to your local newspaper and trade publication about your new business. Post helpful advice (just don’t blatantly self promote) on blogs or online networking groups about your area of expertise.

And remember: being in business for yourself means starting early in the morning, working late into the evening most days, spending long Saturdays and busy Sunday afternoons with your new “baby.” It’s going without a vacation because there is no one else to operate and run the business when one is away.

Now, after reading all of this, is it worth it, this “going into business for yourself?” The answer is definitely “YES!” as long as you know what is needed, how to fill the need, and can fill it, and have the energy and desire to get the job done.