Some people find starting a business easier than seeking employment. According to Fortunly, there were 33.2 million business startups in the U.S. in 2022. Being a business owner offers advantages such as flexibility and the potential for upscaling. However, you need to meet some factors to succeed as a startup.
Any start-up requires certain services, such as marketing, to thrive. Sometimes the less obvious services, such as cleaning the property, get forgotten and become an afterthought. However, you can get the best start for a new business by considering some of these services. Ensure you settle on providers early before your business starts upscaling.
You don’t have to get all the services, but you can consider the most suitable for your establishment. However, others are mandatory for any business. For example, your workplace needs to be clean regardless of the type of business you run. In this article, you’ll learn the top 10 services you need to get the best start for a new business.
New Business Essentials
Starting a new business can be a daunting task. Before we can explore more obscure services you need to get the best start for a new business; it’s essential to consider the services you need for a business to kick off. Here are four things you need for your business to start.
- Name and Legal Structure: You need to choose a name that represents your business and an appropriate business structure
- Financing: Most businesses require at least some basic capital to kick off
- Business Permit or License: Depending on the kind of business you plan to run, you’ll require licenses and permits from local and federal authorities
- Information: information on competitors, your environment, and your product is critical for starting a new business
1. Regular Trash Removal
One of the most critical but often forgotten services to consider getting for the best start for a new business is regular trash removal. According to the EPA, the total waste generation in 2018 was 292.4 million short tons, with an average person producing 4.9 pounds per person. It’s likely to start a business and then realize you’ve no plans for waste removal. However, regular trash removal is essential for the following reasons.
- To have a clean and presentable environment for you and your clients
- To prevent the spread of disease-causing germs and pests
- From protecting the environment from waste accumulation
- To comply with government regulations.
There are many options you could choose for your trash. For example, consider hiring a trash company to plan scheduled trash pick-ups. You could also research the average dumpster cost and then invest in a durable one to collect your waste. Once you have established a plan to remove trash regularly, you’ll no longer have to think about it.
2. Delivery and Logistics
Whether you run a small or big business, you’ll have to think about delivery and logistics. While you could plan logistics after the company has started, it’ll be better to prepare for it earlier. Depending on your business, you’ll need different resources and equipment to make delivery and logistics easier. For example, you might need truck flat beds to make loading on a truck easier.
If you’re shipping products across states and boundaries, a shipping company might have the services you need to move your products. Look for options that are favorable for a small business. For example, companies that exclusively deal with small businesses. They could save you cost by shipping products simultaneously for all the companies.
Some business startups may require you to do back-stocking to ensure clients have the products whenever they order. You can automate the process to make administration easier. You can hire a holding unit not far from your front office to keep the equipment and stock.
3. Keeping a Workplace Clean
You start a grocery shop or hardware store, and before long, you realize you have some stains on the floor, and your store needs cleaning. Cleaning is one of the essential services you’ll need to get the best start for a new business. You could start with a clean slate by planning to keep your workplace spotless.
A good place to start is a room finishing that’s easy to clean. For example, you could have epoxy garage floor coatings, which are easy to clean and hard to stain. Also, you could have covers on essential equipment to prevent dust build-up.
Consider hiring a cleaning company to come and clean your space regularly. While cleaning may seem like a job anyone can do, cleaning companies have the equipment, skills, and professionalism to keep your workplace spotless. However, you could still clean using commercial laundry equipment and automatic vacuum cleaners.
4. Upcycling and Money Saving
According to the Environment Protection Agency, of the 292.4 million tonnes of solid waste generated in 2018, only 94 million tonnes were recycled. Recycling is a good option for handling waste generated by your business. Not all waste is recyclable, so you have to sort your waste into recyclables and non-recyclables. Upcycling and recycling have multiple benefits for your business and the environment, including
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- Reducing waste that goes to landfills
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- Helps foster artisan skills
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- Reduces manufacturing costs
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- Generates an income for local industries
Depending on your business, you could require various services from upcycling and recycling businesses, for example, those that engage in the reclaimed wood business or metal and plastics upcycling. If you predict you’ll have a significant amount of waste, you can think of upcycling and recycling before you start your business.
5. Commercial-Grade Infrastructure
To get the best start for a new business, you’ll need commercial-grade infrastructure. Some equipment and appliances work great, but only for homes. Your company might need more extensive, robust equipment to handle the extra load. For example, your wiring might require more robust materials to take the extra load.
One of the advantages of commercial-grade infrastructure is saving on cost through mass production, which offers the best start for a new business. For example, a home freeze-drier machine may be suitable for small suppliers if you’re planning to go to a fruit-drying business. Still, you need a commercial-grade freeze drier to upscale your business.
Your needs might also necessitate having commercial-grade infrastructure, such as water heaters for businesses. They’ll enable you to produce mass quantities in one cycle, saving resource use. While you may spend more on commercial-grade infrastructure, it’ll serve you for longer.
6. Property Security
According to The Zebra, 34% of U.S. burglaries involve small businesses yearly. It will not be the best start for a new business to have a break-in. Depending on the city you live in, the statistics may paint a gloomy picture of property security. However, there’re precautions you could take to improve your property security. Here are five ways to bolster security for your commercial property.
- Regulate who has access. For example, you can give a few keys to employees and have an access control system.
- Case your building each day in the morning and after work
- Reinforce all entry points, including the doors and windows
- Destroy any documents before disposing of them, for example, by shredding
- Hire a cybersecurity company to safeguard your digital space and property
You can ask employees to report any peculiar events. For example, they may observe an improperly parked car near the business premises. Knowing who to call to get an improperly parked car towed is a common problem new business owners must remember when starting a business. Therefore, have a way of contacting towing services.
7. Energy Savings
According to the U.S Energy Information Authority, an average commercial building uses 22.5 kWh per square foot each year. You could greatly reduce energy consumption by planning for it before starting a new business. A qualified electrician could help you understand how much you use in your business and what appliances use the most energy.
Reducing your bills can be the best start for a new business so that extra cash is channeled to increasing profits. Some businesses, especially in places that receive plenty of sunlight, opt out of the national grid and engage a commercial solar company to install solar panels in their commercial buildings. If you choose this path, you’ll save on costs and protect the environment. Here are other ways to save energy and cash in your commercial building.
- perform regular HVAC maintenance to reduce energy wastage from a faulty system
- Maximize sunlight getting to the rooms to prevent overusing lights during the day
- Proper insulation of the building will reduce energy consumption
- Invest in easy-to-use smart technology that reduces the impact of human forgetfulness
- Buy energy-efficient appliances such as water heaters and refrigerators
8. Health and Safety
If you are operating your business in a commercial building, you’ll require to install some features to ensure the health and safety of the occupants. The primary purpose of such qualities is to protect the workers, clients, and occupants. Health and safety features also help you comply with building codes. Here are the top five health and safety features you’ll need to get the best start in business.
- Smoke Detectors and Fire Alarms: Your building must have smoke detectors in case of a fire and an alarm system to notify occupants of an emergency
- Fire Doors and Emergency Signs: They make it easier for people to exit safely if an accident happens
- Access Control System: it protects your workers and clients from illegal entrants such as terrorists
- CCTV Surveillance: They provide real-time data that are critical for improving the security of the property
- Pest Control Services: They’ll help you prevent invasions such as termites and rodents that could damage your property
- Water Quality: You may need water quality sensors installed to ensure safety for all occupants.
9. Legal and Financial Support
Legal and financial support will help give the best start for a new business. You’ll need legal support for the many legal processes your small business might need. A business attorney will help you in the following ways
- Advise you on business laws you’re subject to
- Help you avoid risky business decisions
- Draft and review your contracts
- Help you with registration and permits
- Help you understand tax liability
- Represent you in business-related litigation
You’ll also need financial support to get your business up and running. Here are the top reasons you need financial support.
- Hire staff
- Finance loans
- To buy equipment
- To perform market research
10. Internet Connection
It may seem trivial, but an internet connection will help you manage and market your business better. You need an internet company to install high-speed internet for your business. Your clients might find more value in your products or services because of quick access to the internet. You’ll also be joining the trend for most businesses globally.
According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, 80% of businesses have an internet connection. The Internet connection will enable you to access helpful tools such as social media and artificial intelligence. You’ll be able to automate some processes, such as ordering and customer relations.
If you’re starting a business, you know some of the most obvious services you need, such as marketing. However, other services are vital in getting your business running. Consider some less-than-obvious services to get the best start for a new business. Now you know the less obvious services you need to give your business the best start.
Some business services will help you meet the legal qualifications of starting a business, such as ensuring the safety of workers. Although the list may look lengthy, once you have acquired a service provider, your job will only pay the bills to ensure all business transactions are catered for. It will also be better to start with your providers at the initial stage of the business and grow with them. Now, put this tip into action and watch your business grow from a smooth start.