Things you need to consider before starting a business

So You Wanna Start a Business? Here’s What to Actually Think About

By the founder of Doodle Zoo

Starting a business sounds exciting. You imagine the logo, the launch day, maybe even someone saying, “Wow, you made this?” But behind that big energy moment is a lot of quiet, behind-the-scenes thinking—and it’s the stuff people don’t talk about enough.

Whether you’re launching a fashion line, a craft business, a skincare brand, or just selling your art, these are the things I’ve learned (often the hard way) that might help you figure out where to start and what really matters.

1. Why are you doing this? (No, really.)

Everyone says to find your “why,” but I mean dig deeper than “I love this idea.” Ask:

• What problem am I solving?
• Who is this actually for?
• Would I keep doing this even if it was hard (because it will be)?

Your “why” becomes your anchor when things get chaotic. Mine started with wanting something different from exams and wanting Dotty (my dog and chaos assistant) to be part of something special. That “why” helped when things got stressful.

 

2. Know your customer—even if you don’t have any yet

Before I sold a single product, I pictured the person buying it. What they cared about, how they spoke, where they’d shop, what would make them click “buy.”

Even if you start with friends and family, imagine your dream customer. You can refine later, but the clearer your audience, the stronger your brand.

 

3. Start simple, stay consistent

Everyone wants to launch with 10 products, a website, custom packaging, and a TikTok strategy. And while I totally get the excitement, the best advice I ever got was: just start.

Start with one product or service you believe in and build around it. It’s better to do one thing really well than five things that feel rushed.

 

4. Plan your money—even if there’s not much

Even the smallest business costs something—materials, packaging, postage, a domain name. Write down your start-up costs and figure out how to fund it, even if it’s just saving your weekend job wages.

Track every sale and expense from day one. Even if it’s messy, knowing where your money goes is vital.

 

5. Get online, but do it your way

You don’t need to go viral to be successful. A small, loyal audience is more powerful than 10,000 ghost followers. Post what feels real to you—whether that’s behind-the-scenes stuff, product close-ups, or even the flops.

Your voice is your brand. Use it.

 

 

 

6. It won’t be perfect (and that’s okay)

 

My first logo? Not great. My first product shoot? Done in my garden. But the thing is: I started. And every “imperfect” step taught me how to do better.

Perfection isn’t the goal—progress is.

 

7. You’re allowed to learn as you go

No one knows everything at the beginning. You’ll Google how to register a domain. You’ll get confused by shipping prices. You’ll wonder what “margins” mean. That’s okay. Business isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about finding them as you move.

 

 

 

8. People matter more than products

Support, community, and collaboration will get you further than just making “cool stuff.” Talk to other small biz owners. Uplift others. Reply to your customers like they’re your mates.

Building a business means building relationships too.

 

 

 

9. Your business is yours—and that’s your superpower

 

You don’t have to follow every trend or do what big brands do. What makes your brand special is you. Your voice, your story, your ideas.

So lean into that. Make it personal. People can buy anything—but they’ll come to you because it feels different.

 

Final Thought:
If you’re thinking about starting a business, that’s already something big. Most people never even try. So give yourself permission to start small, be scrappy, learn on the go, and grow your way.

 

 

It’s scary, yeah—but also kind of magic.