Some things you should consider when you are waiting on God to start a business
While seeking God before starting a business is a good thing, that doesn’t mean you should ignore some of the practical aspects of starting a business.
When God calls you to start a business, he expects you to do some work and some research before you actually launch it. So in this post, I want to talk about some things you should watch out for before starting a business.
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Seeking God to Start a Business: 7 Important Things to Watch Out For
1. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A VIABLE BUSINESS IDEA
As an aspiring Christian entrepreneur, you are probably praying for a business idea or asking “is my business idea from God?” This is an important question to ask if you want to start a business God’s way. However, while it’s okay to pray for a business idea, you also need to exercise good judgment before running with an idea.
You need a viable business idea if you want to build a successful business. There are lots of business ideas that sound good but they are not viable or profitable. You don’t want to invest time or money in something only to find out it was a mistake. While you can’t fully guarantee anything, you can mitigate the risk of failure.
So while seeking God to start a business, make sure the idea you are considering is viable and can potentially succeed. If you have any doubts about your business idea, consider doing some more research until you are convinced you have picked a good one.
Before I move on, let me address a question I frequently come across. That question is:
Are there God-given business ideas?
This is a very tricky question to answer, but here’s what I think. A Christian shouldn’t run a business that’s immoral, harmful or a business that contradicts the word of God. Any business outside these is acceptable and can be considered a “God-given business idea.”
If by God-given business idea you mean some supernatural revelation, then I am not too sure about that. Since you have been blessed with a sound mind, I believe God wants you to use your mind and intellect to make the best decisions that you can and to use wisdom at all times.
So any business idea that glorifies God and serves a purpose is a God-given idea.
To reiterate my previous point, make sure you have a good business idea before starting a business whether or not you are seeking God to start a business.
Related: How to Start a Business as a Christian
2. KNOW WHOM YOU WANT TO SERVE WITH YOUR BUSINESS
Along with having a viable business idea, you should know whom you plan to serve with your business. Who are your potential customers? What do they need? How do you plan to meet their needs?
Defining your potential customers and knowing how you’re going to reach them is one of the most important things you should consider when seeking God to start a business.
Personally, I like to be clear when I approach God in prayer. I do my homework beforehand so when I come before him, I can spell out my petitions. So take the time to figure out and outline your target audience, so you can pray about them specifically.
Your business isn’t supposed to serve everyone, so focus on the people you are meant to serve and help with your business.
Related: Business Dedication Prayer: 21 Scriptures to Anchor Your Business On
3. ENSURE YOU ARE EQUIPPED FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP
You need the right skills and experience to start and run a business.
When God calls you to start a business, he equips you for the task at hand, so you need to tap into that. Don’t underestimate the importance of having the right skills and experience if you want to be a successful Christian business owner. You have to be a competent entrepreneur so you can run your business for the glory of God.
Far too many Christians ignore this aspect of starting a business. It’s not enough to pray for a business idea, you need the right skills, knowledge, and experience to also manage your business.
When seeking God to start a business, don’t forget to ask him to equip you for the job you have to do. On your part, take steps to acquire the skills and/or experience you need to be a good entrepreneur.
4. DON’T FORGET BUSINESS FUNDING WHEN SEEKING GOD TO START A BUSINESS
It’s easy to get carried away when you are thinking of starting a business, that’s why some people fail to take into account how they will fund their business. One of the things that can make or break your business is your finances so make sure you focus on that.
Do you know how much you need to start and run a business? Have you figured out your sources of funding? If you have settled on a business idea, do you have the capital and resources to execute that idea?
Remember what Jesus said in Luke 14:28 “For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?”
Take the time to work out how much you need for your business, how you will fund it, and also how your business is going to make money. These are some of the important things you should work on when you are waiting on God to start a business.
5. DON’T IGNORE RESEARCH
I can tell from experience that jumping into entrepreneurship without proper research isn’t a very good or smart idea. I started a few businesses because they seemed like good ideas at the time, but they turned out to be duds because I ignored proper research.
Yes, God has promised to establish the works of our hands, but there’s a place for research and common sense. Before you jump into entrepreneurship, you should spend a good amount of time on research. What should you research?
Start by researching your industry or market. Find out everything you can about it. For example, who are your competitors and industry leaders? Who are your potential customers? What are their habits and what motivates them to buy? Is there a gap in the market for you to fill? How will you stand out?
These are some of the things you should research if you’re thinking of starting a business. Research is something you have to keep doing even after you start your business because things change all the time and you want to be in the loop at all times.
So find some reliable sources, articles, books, or magazines about your industry and learn everything you can about your market.
Here’s a helpful post on starting a business: 10 steps to start your business
6. YOUR MOTIVATION, DESIRE, AND COMMITMENT TO SUCCEED
While your motivation and desire to start a business can be pretty high at the beginning, the problem is keeping it up as time goes on.
Are you going to remain motivated when you’re faced with challenges? How committed are you to building a business? Is this a passing fancy or something you are truly dedicated to?
I have started a few businesses that I thought I was passionate about, but I found out that wasn’t the case when things didn’t happen as fast as I wanted them to. Seeking God to start a business is good but you must examine your heart, motivation, and desire.
Building a successful business requires a level of commitment many people don’t have. There’s a reason many entrepreneurs quit or burn out, so watch out for that. Make sure you have a strong “why” or “purpose” that inspires you.
Be willing to work hard and do everything that’s required to make your business work. Also, be prepared to work on your business for a long time since your business would need some time to grow and reach its full potential.
7. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A PLAN
Starting a business is much easier when you have a plan. Many entrepreneurs make the mistake of starting their businesses without a plan, then get stuck when they run into some problems.
A business plan is like a guide or compass for your business. It’s where you outline all the things you want to accomplish for your business and how to accomplish them. Your plan should also include everything you need to start your business including your sources of funding and legal requirements for starting a business.
So while you are seeking God to start a business, you can also work on a business plan so you will be ready to hit the ground running. If the thought of creating a business plan intimidates you, check out the posts below for some helpful tips.
Related: How to Create a Simple Christian Business Plan
Why You Need a Kingdom Business Plan and How to Create One
Final words on Seeking God to Start a Business: 7 Important Things to Watch Out For
Starting a business while pretty exciting involves a lot of work and careful planning. It’s possible to start a business God’s way if you take the time to pray, do some research, and commit to honoring God in your business.
I have listed seven things you should watch out for before starting a business, so you can start your business on the right foot. I hope these tips are helpful to you as you continue to seek God for your business.
Are you seeking God to start a business?
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Seeking God to Start a Business: 7 Important Things to Watch Out For
