Some steps to level up your side hustle
The pandemic isn’t crushing the entrepreneurial spirit. It’s fueling it.
People normally tied to a desk or working double shifts used lockdown to launch side hustles, often out of necessity. And some have turned those side gigs into full-fledged businesses.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 427,842 new business applications were filed in August 2021 alone. That figure was 288,026 in August 2019.
While a side gig can be spontaneous, growing a legit business requires research, planning and organization. Otherwise, your fledgling enterprise could crash and burn in a couple of years.
These basic but essential steps can help you take things to the next level and give your new venture a shot at staying power.
Choose a business structure
There are six common types of business entities: sole proprietorship, general partnership, limited partnership, C corporation, S corporation and limited liability company. The option you choose determines how your business is taxed, as well as who is financially responsible if your business is sued.
Entrepreneurs often default to sole proprietorship because it’s the easiest, but it’s also the riskiest, says Nellie Akalp, CEO and co-founder of corpnet.com, a document filing service that helps streamline the business formation process for entrepreneurs.
“There is no registration required nor are there corporate requirements,” Akalp says. But “there is no legal separation from the company, so the sole proprietor is personally responsible for any debts or liabilities.”
Registering as an LLC or corporation is more expensive and requires more paperwork, but it shields your personal assets from lawsuits.
Open a business bank account
Mixing business and personal finances can get messy, especially when it comes to filing taxes or securing a business loan. Open a business checking account to keep business income and expenses organized and easily accessible.
Look for a business account that has low or no monthly fees and fits your business needs in terms of transaction and deposit limits.
A business credit card can also help you track expenses and identify tax deductions. Plus, you can earn rewards, like cash back on gas, office supplies and business consulting services.
Upgrade your bookkeeping
No more manual spreadsheets or shoeboxes full of receipts; scale up to an accounting software that can do some of the heavy lifting for you, like tracking cash flow, managing invoices and generating reports.
Expect a learning curve with any new system, but know that it will help your operation run more smoothly. The right accounting software can also give you deeper insights into your business and help you identify weak points and opportunities to save money.
“Accounting is the language of business, so invest time and money into understanding how to do your books,” says Danetha Doe, founder of Money and Mimosas, a financial education platform for independent contractors, freelancers and smallbusiness owners.
Spell out your business plan
Your side hustle may have started organically, but turning it into a fullfledged business requires research and planning.
Sketch out short- and long-term goals for your business, along with a sales plan, financial projections and potential roadblocks. Be realistic, set specific targets and spell out how you plan to reach them.
Building a business plan gives you a road map for how to grow your business. It also shows lenders you’ve done your homework should you need to secure a business loan.
Need help with your business plan? Turn to your local Small Business Development Center.