This article is about how to start your own business and succeed. Whether you want to start a new clothing line, a health or beauty brand, a bakery, or a blog – this article will guide you through where to start, and everything you need to have in mind when becoming a business owner.
Starting a business is encouraged in the society leading to great purpose. Knowing where to begin as a newbie is essential. You need to research as much as you can before investing and putting in all the efforts.
You might ask yourself, “How can I start a business and earn halal money from it“. We will discuss this further down this article.
1. Prepare Mentally first
Before starting on your entrepreneurial journey, it is crucial to prepare yourself mentally. Prioritize healing and personal growth first; it can be very beneficial.
I primary work remotely, and have been doing so for many years on and off. Nowadays, I run this platform, focusing on adding value rather than occupying unnecessary space.
Always remember that without faith, there is no success. I strive to keep the barakah (blessings) from Allah (SWT) rather than compromising my values.
You can find helpful guides on this website, particularly on Inspire Her Faith Favorites, where you’ll find self-help books that have been essential in my journey. These might be exactly what you need, and some are even available at discounted prices. Now, let’s dive into the main topic.
2. Becoming an entrepreneur: My personal journey and best advice
After stabilizing your healing process and gaining a better understanding of your mentality and well-being, where your inner child feels calmer, it’s time to move forward. Please note that healing is a long journey, and truly processing all your emotions can be challenging.
Dedicating more than six months to your healing journey can help you form a healthier understanding of yourself, which will benefit you in your entrepreneurial endeavors.
Entrepreneurial journeys are one of my favorite topics to write about. Since I was 16, I have tackled various ventures, including a travel agency, managing and monetizing my social media, and being part of an organization for youth minorities in my local area. I’ve traveled around Europe and lived in Los Angeles, California, where I gained insight into how to run a business properly. I have also been involved in organizing networking events, among other activities.
An important rule to always keep in your mind is that sometime along your journey as you grow, there will come offers that can be difficult to resist. I have had to turn down offers that I know could help grow my business. Ultimately, my dignity comes first, especially in entrepreneurship.
Oh, and you have to be prepared to sacrifice a lot. You will not have enough time to have fun, unless you plan accordingly. Make sure your priorities are straight and that your mind is dedicated with no distractions as best of your ability. Entrepreneurship is a lifestyle that you have to commit to.
Say goodbye to to anything that causes your mindset to shift. This usually happens naturally because when you keep growing and evolving, you will naturally lose people that unfortunately is no longer on the level that you have worked hard for.
Be mindful of these, and do not get shocked when you reach a certain level in your journey, only to look around and notice your circle has fewer than five people. I personally love life in solitude, leaving only room for valuable connections.
I am just letting you know that you must be prepared for this part. When you reach this level, know that you are not crazy! Matter fact, it means you have outgrown people in your life that are stuck on bad habits of their own. You can choose to help them, but this journey is personal. Interfering with other individuals healing process is not recommended, but always stretch an arm if needed.
3. How to find your passion
Before deciding on your entrepreneurial path, start by identifying your passion. For many, this is often related to a hobby, whether it’s photography, content creation, performing, sports, etc.
Finding your passion is essential: it’s something that drives you and keeps you up at night. It’s something deeply meaningful to you (besides family and friends). Your passion will keep you going, even through failures, because it’s something you won’t give up on. It’s what sustains you through ups and downs.
So, how do you find your passion? By being open-minded and curious. Understand your limits, try new things, meet new people, travel, and challenge yourself. A creative and curious mind will often naturally guide you to your passion.
Pay close attention to your feelings during this process.
Without passion, it’s challenging to sustain a business long-term. Businesses have their highs and lows; some months or years are slow, and others are not. Your passion will help you persevere, even during the slow periods when you may not earn a single dollar.
Once you’ve identified your passion, now it´s time to fund your business idea, and the next steps become clearer.
4. Funding
You can secure funding from the government if your business idea meets their criteria. If you already have significant capital saved up, that will help you in the long run.
A business always requires funding, so address this before diving into strategic planning. Finding the right resources can be a process, but it’s usually smooth for business owners.
Pro tip: If your business idea is strong, look for local websites that fund startups. Most cities offer such opportunities, but do thorough research before signing any contracts.
Make sure that all your fundings comes from and complies with Islamic law. Even if you reside in a non-Muslim country, read the contract referring to interest, make sure you have all the information you need before signing any contract. Take the information given and discuss it with an Imam or a scholar.
5. Starting Your Business
When starting a business, be prepared for though times and some failures. These may include:
- Uncertainty: Pushing through when unsure if you’re on the right path.
- Seeking Support: Getting support and seeing results can fuel your motivation, helping you continue.
- Handling Delays: Working without immediate results can be demotivating and stressful. Doubts may arise, but this phase can build a strong foundation for long-term success.
In times of doubt, don’t lose hope. Stay positive and maintain faith in yourself to avoid discouragement.
Ask Allah for guidance through prayer and Duá. He will answer you one way or another. You must pay attention and be mindful to the signs given.
6. From Business Idea to Execution
Let’s use starting a cupcake business as an example. Time management is crucial; you’ll need to sacrifice significant time to focus on your goals and dreams.
First you must write down your business idea and create a business model. This way, you save time from the jump by writing all necessary information about your business. Whether using a physical or digital journal, detail the idea. There are lots of great planners that you can use for this purpose. Here is an example:
My cupcake business: Step one – the Idea
Opening an Instagram-friendly cupcake business targeting both tourists and locals
The food industry is highly competitive, so consider how you can stand out. With my marketing experience, I’ve learned what works and what doesn’t. I can at any given time take more courses and continue to grow the first year without too much expenses on marketing costs.
For a cupcake business, focus on creating something unique.
There are likely many cafés selling delicious cupcakes, so how can you differentiate yours?
Focus on marketing strategy rather than just the product’s appearance. Often, it’s not just the presentation but how you market your cupcakes that attracts customers.
Note that you will need to hold yourself accountable for each day passing by. Number one advice that is priceless is to always keep an updated to-do list on your phone. As soon as you wake up, open your to-do list and tick off each task as you go.
Pro tip: Your actions should be focused on what you need to do, and not how you feel about doing the task. Master time management as this will help you tick off each completed task.
7. Strategic Marketing
Instead of relying heavily on paid marketing like influencer collaborations or Google Ads, consider word-of-mouth marketing. If you’re already skilled at baking, then your cupcakes likely taste great. The key is to have a clear strategic marketing. Consider hiring an expert to handle this part for you as it might benefit the business longterm, and save you some extra time.
8. Setting Up Social Media
Set up accounts on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Building an audience can be daunting initially, but it becomes easier once you know your target group. Consider hiring a social media manager to handle all your accounts.
Hiring an intermediate manager can be cost-effective, allowing both of you to grow together in your respective fields. A social media manager can help set up accounts, post relevant content, and attract your target audience. This aspect is crucial. Building an audience takes time, so invest in a social media manager to save time.
9. Website Building
While your social media manager handles your accounts, use your time to create a professional yet lively website. WordPress is a great platform, especially if you plan to take local takeaway orders or sell merchandise in the future. I would recommend integrating Shopify when you reach this point in your business journey. This can easily be done with WordPress.
Creating a website can be fun, frustrating, and empowering. A self-hosted website is great for businesses, even if you don’t plan to sell anything immediately. It’s a powerful tool for presentation, portfolio, or selling merchandise. Invest in a professional theme suited to your cupcake shop. Ensure the website is neat, with crisp images—your social media manager can assist with this.
10. SEO tips for small businesses
To promote your website, focus on SEO optimization. Use relevant keywords that people in your local area or tourists might search for when looking for delicious cupcakes. You can hire someone to assist with SEO—sign up for our newsletter for recommendations. When you are just starting out, consider Google Ads to promote your site (only for traffic) and make sure all website pages are indexed.
This can be costly, but you can set your budget as low as $5 dollars per day with Google Ads. However, Google Ads is NOT necessary as I mentioned earlier in this article. This can be helpful tool to get your name recognized by your potential customers.
11. Creating a Blog
Once your website is set up, consider adding a blog. A blog can help build credibility over time, reduce customer service queries, and expand your reach. A well-maintained blog can be a powerful asset for your business. Nearly every successful business today has a blog. It helps customers connect with you and builds trust.
Not sure what to write about? Use keyword research tools to discover what people in your niche are searching for on Google. Find less competitive keywords and create content around them.
You can blog about recipes, the benefits of cupcakes for various occasions, and more. High-quality, well-researched content is vital for a business like this. Good SEO optimization is crucial for Google to rank your posts and later convert the clicks into sales. Again I can recommend an experienced freelancer for this—just reach out or sign up to our newsletter for exclusive information like these.
12. Creating an Insta-Friendly Space
Finally, ensure your local shop is Instagram-friendly. Decorate it in a way that makes the customer want to take pictures. This is a crucial aspect of your cupcake business. Use your funds wisely, whether from savings or a bank loan. Pinterest is an excellent resource for finding inspiration.
An inviting atmosphere and thoughtful decor can significantly impact your business’s success. Collaborate with your marketing manager or someone you trust to brainstorm ideas.
Word-of-mouth is powerful. Encourage customers to take photos and share them on social media with a geo-tag. Consider adding a photo section or photobooth in your shop as an additional service once you’re profitable.
Conclusion
Starting a business isn’t for everyone; it’s a challenging but attainable process if you’re motivated and ready for a challenge. A business should be driven by passion, as this leads to better execution.
Understanding your target audience, running effective ads, creating content with a social media manager, and maintaining an inviting website with well-written blog posts are all crucial steps.
Success isn’t guaranteed, but with the right team, you can build an outstanding business in any field. If you don’t already have a team, consider outsourcing to focus on administrative tasks.
