How to Start a Business in Floral Park, NY in an 8-Hour Workday

An 8-hour workday is the perfect time goal for a new business owner to shoot for in their day-to-day life. According to Clockify, the advantages of working on a 9-5 schedule are that it’s easier to maintain focus, your boundaries are clear, people know when to reach you, you’ll end up working less overtime, and your work and life balance is better. 

But did you know you can also start a new business in the span of a typical work day? Read on for tips from the Floral Park Chamber of Commerce on the tasks you’ll need to tackle to build a foundation for your business in just a few hours.

Set Goals

New business entrepreneurs can start from scratch and be successful in the short term. However, setting long-term business goals and making them happen in a timely manner is one of the most important steps for any new business entrepreneur.

Setting long-term lifestyle or financial goals for a business is crucial for ensuring consistent achievement. It helps individuals stay motivated throughout the process and focus on their objectives rather than have just a few high-impact wins that get them off to a good start.

Choose a Business Structure

Choosing the right business structure is sometimes confusing, as you want to make sure that you won’t have any legal issues. If you choose to structure your business as a corporation, then your personal assets will be protected from creditors by federal law. You will have access to free capital and relief from personal liability. There are different types of corporations you can choose from, but an S corp in your state is favored by many new solopreneurs in our state thanks to its self-employment tax savings and the option for filing deductions on business losses.

A limited liability company (LLC) offers the same protections as corporations but does not require an attorney because LLCs are governed by state law rather than federal law. Rules do vary from state to state, so check with your local officials to make sure you’re meeting all the requirements. You can also work with an online service to make sure you set up your LLC correctly (and without breaking the bank on lawyer fees).

Set Up a Business Account

A well-organized business account will help get your business off the ground and protect your investment in the long run. To start a business with limited funds, it’s best to start with a small balance.

The advantage of a business account is that you will be able to offer interest-bearing loans and withdrawals in person, over the phone, and through the mail. You can store money in your bank account and transfer funds to your personal checking or savings accounts when you need the cash. It’s easier to track expenses if your business account is separate from your own checking account. 

Find Your Customers

Small businesses need effective marketing strategies in order to get their messages across and connect with prospective customers. Some new business owners have turned to online advertising such as Google AdWords and Facebook Ads for selling products online.

Whatever avenue you choose to market yourself, a business website is a must. Your website is your store. It’s how your customers will not only find you and learn about your products or services, but they are also points of sale. Website costs depend on the type, size, and complexity of your site. To help plan your budget, use a website design cost calculator. This will help you set aside the needed amount in your budget when you’re writing your business plan. 

Use Freelancers When You Can

It's a great strategy to hire freelancers when you're starting a new business. Freelancers are cheaper and faster to onboard than full-time employees. With the help of freelancers, you can start your business at a lower cost. There are several sources for finding freelancers like Upwork, Fiverr, and LinkedIn.

If you’re working with freelancers or even just remote employees, you may find it helpful to communicate using PDFs instead of other file types. There are many benefits of using PDFs, including that they can be password protected and that they maintain their formatting regardless of the device the viewer uses to open the file. If you have many separate PDFs that you would like combined, you can find out how to merge PDF files using a simple merge tool. It only takes three steps to complete the process: drop in the files, arrange them, and select “Merge.” 

Most people are accustomed to working 8-hour days. It starts when we’re in school and often stays with us for life. It’s not for everyone, but since most of the clients and vendors you’ll work with will also be on a daily 8-hour schedule, it’s the most effective and efficient way to start your business.