If I Were Starting My Business Today, This Is What I Would Do
Success doesn’t come from doing everything at once or chasing the latest trends. It comes from clarity, strategy, and showing up consistently. Over the years I’ve seen what works and what doesn’t, and if I were starting a business today, I’d focus on the foundations that actually create impact. Here’s how I’d do it.
1. Start with your branding.
This is non-negotiable. You can’t create a business that stands out if you don’t know who you’re creating it for. Your branding isn’t just a logo or a colour palette; it’s your story, your voice, and the experience you promise your audience. I’d work with a professional to dig deep and build a brand foundation that truly reflects the heart of the business. Quick fixes like Canva logos or AI-generated designs won’t cut it. Your branding is your face to the world. Make it memorable, make it thoughtful, make it yours.
2. Get clear on your strategy.
Once your brand foundation is solid, it’s time to know your audience inside out. Who are you speaking to? What problem are you solving for them? A clear strategy keeps you from wasting time and money and gives your business direction. This groundwork will pay off in every decision you make, from marketing to messaging to product design.
3. Choose your platforms wisely.
You do not need to be on every social media platform to succeed. Social media is powerful, but it is fleeting. Platforms change, trends fade, and accounts can disappear overnight. Focus on your primary home, your website or central hub, and let social media support it. Show up consistently where it counts, engage authentically, and stop burning yourself out trying to be everywhere.
4. Learn how to market effectively.
Marketing can feel overwhelming, but if your brand and strategy are clear, it becomes simple. Put systems in place to make it easier. Use social media templates, content calendars and scheduling tools to stay consistent without feeling like you are reinventing the wheel every day. Understand where your audience spends their time, what messages resonate, and how to communicate consistently. Test, measure, and refine. Smart, focused marketing will always outperform scattered, reactive efforts.
5. Focus on creating value.
Everything you do should have a purpose. Solve a problem, inspire trust, or make someone’s life a little easier. Your products, content, interactions, and even your website are all reflections of your brand, so make them count. When you lead with value, everything else—growth, visibility, loyalty—falls into place naturally. Focus here first, and the business you want to build will follow.
Starting a business isn’t easy, but it doesn’t need to be complicated. Start strong, stay strategic, and show up consistently. If I were starting today, this is exactly how I’d do it, and it’s a path that sets your business up to thrive for the long term.