A friend recently asked about an LLC versus a sole proprietorship. Over the past 10 years I have coached hundreds of entrepreneurs who were starting a business or whose sales seemed “stuck.” In so many cases, I’ve noticed that this question comes up way too early in the planning stages. Another question is about bookkeeping when there is nothing to book-keep. All of these details are important, but not nearly as important as the big question, who will buy my product or service?
You can have the most unique, high quality, priced-right product or service but unless you know who will reach in their checkbook and write you a check, it’s my opinion that everything else is immaterial until that question is answered.
Those letters of Inc. or LLC will not make one sale for you. So if you’re bothered by the trivial details of setting up a business, focus on the elephant in the room, sales and marketing and the rest will come easy!
Thanks for your observation…as usual, spot on!
Perfectly said Dan. Focus on the elephant and the rest will follow when/as needed. I suspect a lot of people starting new enterprises allow themselves to get caught up in managing and then are swallowed by the details. Sadly, the elephant never sees them and walks away.