5 Common Mistakes Start-Up Companies Make

When you read about successful start-ups, it is becoming more common that they start out using shared or virtual office space especially in the Maryland, DC and Virginia area. And you might think that luck is on their side. However, luck is helpful but not the reason start-ups succeed, and victory isn’t gained overnight. Start-up companies make many mistakes that can be avoided. Learn from their mistakes if you are thinking of starting your own business.

Here are five of the most common:

1. Doing it alone. Being a solopreneur may be a sign that you were not able to get others to support you through funding. Going it alone also limits your ability to expand and take on more work. And it can be lonely…you won’t have anybody to brainstorm or make decisions with. Lastly, even if you could do all the work on your own, it’d still be difficult for your business to take off if you don’t have enough capital.

2. Having too many co-founders. The opposite problem is having too much help when getting started. Managing a start-up with too many co-founders can be challenging. Having five business partners, for example, means you own just 20% of the pie. Making a final decision is also difficult with five different heads trying to call the shots. If you want your start-up to thrive, partner with an individual(s) who share the same ideas and goals as you.

3. Not planning and preparing adequately. For your new business to work, you need to consider many factors like funding, investors, business location, PR, timeline, and more. It is essential that you plan these things before and not after launching your start-up. Don’t underestimate the requirements of a business start-up.

4. Not managing investors properly. Aside from their financial support, investors are vital to start-ups because they have many useful insights. Still, you shouldn’t allow them to always have the final say. This can be quite challenging as the amount of leverage your investors have usually depends on how much capital you received from them. Try to strike a balance between taking their guidance but do let them know you’re still the boss.

5. Not communicating enough and ignoring critics. Communication is everything in a new business setup. Sometimes, however, it can be difficult to communicate the whole picture to others, even if you already have everything mapped out in your head. You will encounter some critics over time, but do not be discouraged. Although the common reaction is to disregard them, sometimes you also need to listen and filter crucial points to ponder.

To help you manage your new business better, consider looking into office space for rent in washington dc. Metro Offices offers a range of office space solutions, including virtual, shared, and executive office spaces. We also have various meeting and training rooms equipped for your particular business needs. For more information, give us a call today at (703) 871-5208, and we will be ready to assist you.

Kathlene Buchanan

As the founder of Metro Offices, she has championed workspace innovation since 1989, inspired by the creativity and drive of their 30,000+ clients. Woman-owned and locally focused, the company tailors its spaces to meet the unique needs of every business.

tags: Virtual Office