Statistics show that 66% of consumers consider a product’s sustainability when making a purchase. So, the market for green merchandise is bustling. If you dream of being an ecopreneur but don’t know where to start a green business, a few simple steps will get you on the right track. Creating a green business is similar to starting any business, with a few extra considerations. Here are four steps to get started.
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Manage Your Time
When starting any business, the first thing to consider is how much time you can dedicate to your new venture. If you have another job, you should be sure to manage your schedule in a way that won’t overwhelm you. If you retain a steady income while planning, it can take the pressure off and allow you to take your time with research and make sure you are making sustainable choices for your future company. Consider getting task-management software like Trello, Notion, or Todoist that will keep you organized. You can create separate boards or lists for different areas of your life or design process and keep everything at your fingertips across devices.
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Choose Your Business Structure
You’ll want to choose your structure before formulating your business plan. Your structure will affect financial decisions like taxes and how you incorporate green elements into your company. For instance, you may want to form an LLC to limit liability and make filing taxes easier.
You can avoid lawyer fees by filing yourself or using a formation service to handle it for you, saving time and money. If you’re undecided about filing as an S corp or LLC, consider classifying your LLC as an S corp, which will offer you asset protection. An S corp classification can also prevent you from paying self-employment taxes and saving money.
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Create a Plan
Once your schedule and task-management system are ready, it’s time to work on your business plan. A regular business plan includes your company structure, marketing plan, financial projections, and other information relevant to your product. When creating a green business plan, you should include your mission, goals description, and financial projections in your executive statement. This will ensure investors understand your vision and attract those who are also passionate about it.
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Master Marketing
Once you’ve got your structure and plan together, it’s time to create and execute a great marketing plan. From building a great website with Spearhead Multimedia to scheduling innovative social media campaigns, you’ll want to keep your green messaging at the forefront. By letting customers, investors, and associates know your vision, they can participate and choose to make eco-friendly investments. People are usually willing to shoulder extra costs when it means they will get sustainability and quality in return.
If you are selling a physical product, ensure your packing materials are sustainable and tell potential consumers that you’re committed to conservation at every step. You can create videos and posts centered around all stages of product creation, packing, and shipping to show transparency and give buyers peace of mind. You may want to use a social media scheduler to consolidate posting time and make campaigns cohesive and consistent.
By following the tips above, you will be on your way to creating a green business you can be proud of. Choosing the proper business structure and letting investors know your eco-friendly vision will get you started on the right track. If you feel overwhelmed, pause and break down tasks into smaller steps. Often, the hardest part is just getting started.
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Article by Tina Martin
Tina Martin started ideaspired.com as a side project to reach as many people as possible and encourage them to put their dreams first. She was once in the field of business administration but eventually decided to pursue something that actually inspired her: becoming a personal fitness trainer. She is currently working on her first book, Ideaspire: Put Your Ideas, Your Inspiration, and Yourself First to Make Your Dreams Come True.
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