Want to Start a Biz But Don’t Know Where to Begin? Read This

Author: Abey Green - Create A Design / Support Small Businesses

 

When I first started my digital art business, I had no idea what I was doing. All I knew was that I wanted to be a stay-at-home mum and look after my kids. I had an idea, but no real plan. While trying to grow my business, I was also searching for something more: a community I could belong to.

Starting a small biz can be confusing, scary and, well… messy. You are not alone. You just need to find your support group, your cheerleaders, and from experience, that’s other small business owners who are right there in the trenches with you.

It’s okay to not have it all figured out. It’s okay to not know what you’re doing. That’s how you grow a business that’s truly yours. You don’t need a logo. You don’t need a website. You don’t even need a business name to get started.

Start with your why. Why do you want to start a business? Then ask what. What do you want to offer. Physical products, digital art, or a service?

Some of the most common fears are comparison, self-doubt, not feeling ‘ready… That's completely normal. 

The first step is never just the first step; it’s the kickstarter for your dreams.

The first step is the foundation for everything else to come.

You want to start a business.. DO IT. 

The first step doesn’t need to be big or bold, just intentional.

It took me almost 5 years of procrastination and self-doubt to finally pull the trigger and START. The birth of my daughter and the inability to go back to work solidified that I wanted to be a digital artist and now a support person for other small businesses! Just think, if I had started when I wanted to, just how much further along my journey I could have been! If you're thinking about starting, this is your push to JUMP! Go start that business!

Step-by-Step Basics: Your ‘starter checklist’

1. Figure out what you’re offering

• What are you selling?
• Who is it for?
• What problem does it solve?

2. Choose a name (and check availability)

• Is the IG handle available? Can you grab a domain?
• Doesn’t need to be perfect, it can evolve!

 3. Start showing up on socials

• Instagram is a great place to build community, not just sell.
• Share BTS, your process, your story- that builds trust.

4. Work out how you’ll deliver your product/service

• Will you use Etsy? Redbubble? Send by email? Book via DM?

 5. Pricing & boundaries

• Don’t undercharge “because you’re new.”

It’s okay to tweak things as you go.

One single thing to remember: you don’t need to go viral to succeed.

In fact, a slow build is still a build. It gives you time to learn, test, pivot and grow. My business evolved from pet portraits to family portraits, then logos, and now I’m exploring seamless patterns and print-on-demand. Growth doesn’t have to look one way.

What I wish I knew When I first started, is, friends and family are not your biggest supporters (usually) they are stuck in their ways and have the mindset of if I can’t have a small business or success no one should… or at least that might be my experience. 

If I could go back, I’d trust my gut, and I wouldn’t undercharge. Oh my goodness, I used to (and sometimes still do) undervalue myself because I didn’t believe in my ability. But the truth is: I am a digital artist. Someone came to me for art. That means something. Stick to your pricing. Do your research. And don’t let self-doubt set your prices for you.

There’s a reason you started your business and in the field you chose!

You were never meant to do small business alone. Go find your people, even if they are online. I also run a small business support page on Instagram called SSB (@supportsmallbusx_). 

This is a Small Business asset you should join. I do very cheap posts, free story shares and free chats. This is a huge helper for those businesses who have just started and are stuck, or a veteran business that is sick of doing it all alone. Join our community and grow your business authentically with us and Crunchy Life Australia, we're here to support you. 

Other accounts who you should have on your side, @markets_are_us this account does markets for each season, this is a great way to be seen and grow. You offer “20%” off and market yourself through markets are us. 

You are capable of great things. Take that first step. There are people out there who want what you’re offering… and people ready to cheer you on.

We all started from nothing. You’ve got this, and I wholeheartedly believe in you.

 

Reach out on here in our Services section if you need support or just want to chat, I’m always around.

Lots of love,

Abey 

(Create A Design / Support Small Businesses)