How to Start a SUCCESSFUL Small Business (Step By Step) ULTIMATE GUIDE for Beginners

Summary

Isabella shares her journey from dental hygiene student to a successful online entrepreneur, earning six figures in less than a year. She offers a comprehensive guide on starting and growing an online business, discussing platform choices, inventory management, and the importance of branding. Isabella emphasizes the significance of organic marketing and provides tips on shipping orders efficiently. She candidly addresses common concerns like business licenses and taxes, advocating for a 'learn as you earn' approach. The video concludes with motivational advice, underscoring the power of persistence and the right mindset for entrepreneurial success.

Takeaways

• 😀 Isabella, the speaker, grew multiple six-figure earning online businesses in less than a year.
• 💼 She started her business while being a full-time college student and dental assistant, emphasizing the importance of side hustles.
• 📦 She chose to have inventory on hand and ship items herself to have full control over her business.
• 💰 Within two months of starting, she had her first $20,000 month, which allowed her to quit her 9-to-5 job.
• 🛒 She recommends Shopify as a website host for its affordability and features, and provides a tutorial on how to set it up.
• 🎨 Isabella discusses three product options: handmade products, buying inventory, and customizing products, suggesting that handmade products add more value.
• 🔍 She advises on how to source materials for handmade products and buy inventory, with recommendations for Alibaba and AliExpress.
• 🌐 Isabella stresses the importance of branding and getting a custom domain, especially a .store domain, for online stores.
• 📦 She shares tips on packaging, including where to buy materials and how to keep costs low.
• 🚚 For shipping, she recommends using GoShipPo for domestic orders and Pirate Ship for international orders to get the best rates.
• 📈 Isabella talks about the importance of organic marketing and how it led to her business's success, offering a free course on the topic.
• 💡 She emphasizes the mindset of viewing failures as lessons and the importance of perseverance in growing a small business.

Q & A

What was Isabella's background before starting her online business?

Isabella was a full-time college student in dental hygiene school and working as a dental assistant.

What type of business model did Isabella initially want for her online business?

Isabella wanted a business model where she had inventory on hand and shipped everything herself, giving her full control over her business.

How soon after starting her business did Isabella have her first $20,000 month?

Isabella had her first $20,000 month 2 months into starting her business.

What is the recommended online store host by Isabella?

Isabella recommends Shopify as the online store host for its affordability and features.

What are the options discussed by Isabella for sourcing products for an online store?

Isabella discusses three options: handmaking products, buying inventory, and customizing products.

What platform did Isabella use to source ingredients and bottles for her handmade lip gloss?

Isabella used Amazon and Alibaba to source ingredients and bottles for her handmade lip gloss.

What is the importance of branding and custom domains according to Isabella?

Branding and custom domains are important for making the store look more official and for better visibility on Google.

What is the recommended mindset when starting a small business, as suggested by Isabella?

Isabella suggests having a mindset that views failures as lessons and focusing on progression towards goals.

What is Isabella's advice on when to get an LLC for a new business?

Isabella advises waiting until the business starts making consistent money before getting an LLC.

How does Isabella feel about the necessity of support from family and friends when starting a business?

Isabella feels that you do not need support from family and friends; she started her business without telling anyone.

What is the name of Isabella's educational platform for social media growth and organic marketing?

The name of Isabella's educational platform is not mentioned in the script.