Not only have we had to deal with an illness unlike any we’ve ever known, but our daily dialogue has changed to include words like ‘social-distancing’ and ‘sanitising.’ On the days when we do actually venture out, we have to remember to take a mask along.

And as if that wasn’t enough, we came face-to-face with the grim fact that businesses had to close down and people either took salary-cuts or lost their jobs entirely.

While we can view 2020 as a year of devastation and utter confusion, there was also time to reflect and ponder on the big questions in life – which is why it seems that 2021 is the year of evolution.

Has the thought of starting a small business ever crossed your mind? It has certainly crossed mine. Pre-Covid these thoughts may have been somewhere in the back of your consciousness – the ‘one day’ scenario where it was largely unlikely to amount to anything.

However, with the progression of the novel coronavirus and the realisation that the world will probably never be Covid-free, these ‘one day’ thoughts have started to solidify for many. The realisation that ‘normal’ – as we used to know it – will probably never come around again makes one believe that we need to start thinking of our futures differently.

After all, look at how quickly our world has been turned on its head. So, even if you’ve never had an inkling of starting up a small business before, perhaps now is a good time to do so.

What is a small business?

In South Africa, businesses are classified into different sectors and each sector has its own criteria.

For the purposes of this article, I’ve chosen to expand on Community, Social and Personal services. A small business in this category is classified as an entity with 11 to 50 employees and a turnover of less than or equal to R22m per annum.

A level below the small business, one finds the micro business, which is an entity consisting of up to 10 employees with a turnover of less than or equal to R5m per annum.

The benefits of starting a small business during the Covid-19 pandemic

Well, for starters, we’ve all become accustomed to working from home. And let’s face it, no one misses the morning and evening peak traffic jams. With more time spent at home, we’re afforded the perfect opportunity to try out something new on the side without it interfering in our work day.

If you’re concerned about social-distancing and having to interact with people physically – don’t. There are a multitude of businesses which can be run online from the comfort of your own living room. Starting a small business can offer you:

• Freedom to start up any kind of business you like;
• A chance to channel your creativity;
• An opportunity to bring in extra income;
• The capacity to call all the shots;
• The dream of doing something that you actually love;
• The liberty of choosing your own business hours and
• The ability to take on as much or as little work as you like.

Although my list ends here, the positives in starting your very own small business are by no means finite.

The absolute basics you’ll need to know before starting your small business:

Start small (or micro, if you’re starting up in South Africa)

Unless you have lots of time, money and resources, I wouldn’t recommend that you go all-out from the outset. By starting small you’ll give yourself time to ease into this new additional role.

If you have a service-based business, limit your client intake. If you’re running a product-based business, limit your order numbers. Give yourself time to ease into it and to do it correctly, especially if you’re still working a full-time job. Don’t stretch yourself too thin.

Know your strengths and limitations

You have to know what it is that you like and what you don’t like. If you’re not great with numbers, don’t start a bookkeeping business. If you despise reading, don’t start an editing business. Play into your strengths and what you actually enjoy doing.

If there are business areas that you’re not particularly good at, outsource where you can. If you know you’re not great with admin, see if there’s a family member or friend who would be willing to assist pro bono while you’re growing your business.

If not, you may just be forced to do it yourself (another good reason to start small) – but don’t think of it as a bad thing. Think of it as upskilling yourself. You can find lots of free courses online, such as on  Udemy, or by simply just Googling. And once you know how to do everything, you’ll have the satisfaction of saying ‘I built this myself!’

Be professional

You might think of it as only as running a small nail business on the side. But whether you’re doing nails, offering a cleaning service or consulting, go about it as professionally as you can.

Your clients may in time forget a bad manicure, but they will never forget unprofessionalism. If you are asking people to pay you for a service or a product – make sure that you’re making it worth their while and that they’ll remember you, recommend you and come back to you.

Remember the reason you’re starting a small business

It’s easy to get caught up in the hype and excitement of doing something different for a change. I’ve been there myself. But always remember why you’re starting your business. If it is to be able to choose your own working hours to spend more time with the kids, then don’t consume all your free time working on your business.

If you just want to make a little extra money on the side so that you can get your kids the sport equipment they need, don’t become consumed with chasing big figures. Not every small business has to become a monster business. We don’t all have to turn into a Kardashian or a Richard Branson. However, if your main aim is to actually build a mega empire then, by all means, go full steam ahead.

What kind of business should I start?

Answer: Literally anything! A-NY-THING. But if that’s a tad too broad for you, here are a few examples to get your cogs turning.

Consulting

Are you quite knowledgeable in a specific field? Perhaps you’re already running your own business and would like to help others in starting their own. You could be a business consultant. Or maybe you’re passionate about getting people to reach their potential.

Ever thought of being a positivity coach? Or perhaps you’re just really good at bookkeeping and can assist people in this way. The possibilities are endless. If you have expertise in a specific field, then you can absolutely start a consulting business relating to this field.

Online reseller

This is possibly one of the easiest small businesses to start up.  All you need to do is decide what you’d like to resell. Social media sites are booming with these types of businesses. Some ideas on items you could resell:

• Second-hand books
• Used baby gear (strollers, cots, baby monitors, car seats, etc.) Trust me, these items sell like hot cakes.
• Electronics (mobile phones, tablets, bluetooth speakers, TVs, etc.)
• Furniture
• Anything you can imagine. There seems to be a market for nearly anything these days!

You won’t even need a website to do it. All you need is a Facebook Marketplace or Instagram page and a bank account. As simple as that. Just make sure that anything that you’re reselling is functional and in a good condition, or make sure that the buyer knows the exact condition of the product if damaged.

Transcription

Transcription means that you listen to an audio file and transcribe, word by word, everything that you hear. You will need: good language and typing skills; attention to detail; a functional computer or laptop, and a headset or earphones would be beneficial. There are number of online companies where you can sign up and get work. A popular one seems to be Rev.

Copyediting

If you have a good eye for detail and if you’re pedantic about spelling and grammar, this might be the ideal side business for you. You would need to be someone with a natural acumen for this sort of thing. You don’t necessarily need a formal qualification to become an editor, but there are many online courses that you could take to improve your proficiency and confidence, such as with SA Writers College and GetSmarter UCT.

Social media marketing

Nearly everyone has at least one social media account these days. And businesses have latched on to the fact that nothing can grow a business faster than by using the platforms of social media. So, if you’re already a guru at maximising your own Instagram or TikTok accounts, why not market your services and get paid for doing what you love.

Perhaps not everyone is cut out to run their own little business, but wouldn’t it be great to at least give it a try? Our current situation affords us the opportunity to do so now. You may try and fail – but at least you would have given it shot. But if you try and succeed – just imagine how different your life could be!