Guide To Small Business

By Runway Renegade in Feb 17, 2025

How to Start a Small Business: A Realistic Guide to Building Something That Matters

Starting a small business is one of the most rewarding—and challenging—things you can do. It’s not just about being your own boss or making money. It’s about creating something from nothing, solving problems, and building something that matters. But let’s be real: It’s also a grind. It takes patience, consistency, and a willingness to push forward even when things feel like they aren’t working.

I know this firsthand. My business, Runway Renegade, didn’t just pop up overnight. It still requires constant work, planning, and learning. But the personal value I get from building something on my own terms? That’s what keeps me going.

If you’re thinking about starting a business, this guide will walk you through a realistic framework—one that isn’t sugarcoated but is still 100% doable if you’re willing to put in the effort. Let’s get into it.

Step 1: Find Your Idea and Validate It

You don’t need a billion-dollar idea to start a small business. You just need something people actually want.

How to Find a Business Idea:

Think about what you’re passionate about.
Identify problems people face and find ways to solve them.
Look at your skills and experience—what do people already come to you for?
Check trends, but don’t blindly chase them. Sustainable businesses solve long-term problems, not just temporary fads.

Validation: Before you invest too much time and money, test your idea:

Talk to potential customers. Do they care about what you’re offering?
Look for competitors. If there’s competition, that means there’s demand.
Create a simple version of your product or service and get real feedback.

Step 2: Plan, But Don’t Overplan

Too many people get stuck in the planning phase and never actually start. Yes, you need a roadmap, but you don’t need a 50-page business plan. Keep it simple:

A Basic Business Plan Should Cover:

What you’re selling
Who you’re selling to (target market)
How you’ll make money (pricing, costs, and profit margins)
How you’ll get customers (marketing plan)
What you need to start (equipment, licenses, website, etc.)

The key is to get moving. You can refine things as you go.

Step 3: Build Your Brand and Online Presence

Even if your business is small, you need to look professional. People trust businesses that take branding seriously.

Key Branding Steps:

Choose a name that reflects what you do.
Design a logo (Canva works if you’re on a budget).
Create a simple, clean website (Shopify, WordPress, or Squarespace are great options).
Secure social media handles (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn).

Your website and social media are how people find you. They don’t need to be perfect, but they do need to exist.

Step 4: Marketing—How Do You Get Customers?

You can have the best product or service in the world, but if no one knows about it, you won’t make sales.

Marketing Strategies for Small Businesses:

SEO (Search Engine Optimization): Write blog posts (like this one) to get organic traffic from Google.
Social Media: Share behind-the-scenes content, customer testimonials, and valuable info.
Email Marketing: Start building an email list from day one.
Networking: Connect with other business owners and potential customers.
Paid Ads (Optional): If you have the budget, experiment with Facebook, Instagram, or Google ads.

Step 5: Expect the Grind (And Keep Going Anyway)

This is the part where most people give up. Building a business takes time. You won’t see overnight success, and some days it’ll feel like nothing is working.

Here’s the truth:

There will be setbacks. Expect them. They’re part of the process.
You’ll doubt yourself. Push through it.
Success won’t be linear. One month you’ll feel like you’re winning, the next will feel like a struggle.

What keeps me going with Runway Renegade is knowing that every day, I’m building something that didn’t exist before. The progress may be slow, but it’s mine. And that’s worth it.

Step 6: Keep Learning and Adapting

No successful entrepreneur ever stops learning. The market changes, customer needs evolve, and your business has to keep up.

Ways to Keep Growing:

Listen to your customers and adjust accordingly.
Stay up to date with industry trends.
Learn about business, marketing, and finance (YouTube and podcasts are great free resources).
Be willing to pivot if necessary.

Final Thoughts: Just Start

If you’re waiting for the “perfect” time to start your business, stop waiting. The perfect time doesn’t exist. The best way to learn is by doing.

Will it be easy? No. Will it be worth it? 100%.

Whether you’re starting an e-commerce brand, a service-based business, or a side hustle, take that first step today. Start small, keep going, and remember—success is just the result of consistent effort over time.

And if you ever need motivation, just know that Runway Renegade started as just an idea. Now, it’s something real, and it keeps growing every day. Yours can too.