A small business is not a separate legal form or a fixed corporate form. When you speak of a small business colloquially, you probably mean one with few employees, for example a small shop or a few friends who go into business together to offer a service.

Find your business idea

Sometimes you can also come up with ideas well if you think through the everyday problems that you constantly encounter with an entrepreneurial perspective. Maybe you can think of a better, more pleasant, more sustainable or more social solution somewhere that would be worth their money for others?

Develop and test your business model

Once you have found your idea, the next step is one of the most important steps on your way to a successful entrepreneurial life: developing your business model. This is where you think through, review and develop your initial idea until you have set up a watertight business model.

Applying a classic business model and setting up a pizzeria or hair salon , for example ? Then there is a precise market analysis: Which competitors are there already, in which area does a start-up make sense? If they already have similar offerings, what is the unique selling point that will make your business stand out from the rest? What is your niche in the market?

Need a new Radio for hunting?

Or do you want to further develop an established business model ? Perhaps you have an idea to solve the problem at hand a bit better than before. Or you want to modify the existing offer and either make it easier or enrich it with a new facet. Then ask yourself if your solution is so convincing to your customers that they want to give up their old habits in return. What are the reasons for sticking to the old solution?

When you have a completely new idea , your most important task is to thoroughly test your business model and find out: Is it all working technically and economically? Talk about your idea with friends and experts, develop a prototype that is as uncomplicated as possible and test how your target group reacts to it.

Do you specifically serve the needs of your customers? And last but not least: Does the job really suit you and do you enjoy it? This is important so that you stay motivated and survive tough or difficult times well.

A word about insurance

When it comes to taking out insurance, the costs and risks must always be weighed up. If you are starting a small business, various types of insurance can be of interest to you. Business and / or professional liability insurance is particularly important. Business insurance and legal protection insurance can also be recommended.

Your responsible trade association (with which you always have to register if you run a business!) Will take over the occupational accident insurance for you and your employees. Of course, you should also take good care of your own health, accident and pension insurance.

When starting a small business, the motto that counts is: small business, big opportunities. You have a wide range of information and support and a good chance of success if you think through your business model carefully and ask yourself the right questions.