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I’ve came to a post about the mistakes of starting a small business. Although I don’t entirely agree on all 20 things listed but these are the mistakes that I’ve made:

2. Don’t Incorporate. I would change that to “Don’t incorporate too early”. Most of the time it isn’t a neccesity to incorporate. And you should do it after you see that your idea is bringing you money. Otherwise first incorporating and then seeing that your idea is not working will cost you time and money.

9. Don’ get a business license. The same thing here. This should be one of the last things in your “starting a small business list”. I would advocate to do it only after your first client agrees to pay you money for your service/product.

11. Don’t design a logo and 12. Don’t waste time picking a business name. I know that it’s a very exciting process. I’ve done that myself. Two times. But these are the things that matters least at the start.

18. Don’t tell all of your friends about the business that you’re going to start someday soon. I also know that it’s very exciting to talk about your future business but you should do it only after actually launch your business and have some clients and cash coming in. In that case you won’t look and be the person who talks a lot but does nothing.

It’s very easy to get caught up in such “preparation work” - wasting time picking a business name, incorporating, buying office equipment, writing a business plan and so on. Usually you can survive without doing these things. It’s better to spend that time working on launching your product, executing your idea and getting those first clients. In that case you will improve the chances of success and save some time and money.