The Growth Stages of Business - A Four Part Series

There are four Business Growth Stages:

- Start-Up
- Emerging
- Performing
- 2nd Growth

In this post I will be addressing the first stage: the Start-Up. In subsequent posts I will speak-to the other stages.

Start-Up

The Start-Up stage is most critical as it sets the foundation and initiates the business launch.  This is when crucial early-stage funding is required and must be utilized properly and prudently.

Pre-launch requirements are complicated for even the most basic of  ventures. Legal, tax, and financial requisites. Physical presence (location, size, and necessary infrastructure) can, for many businesses, determine success or failure. Establishing management roles (who does what), hiring, training, establishing policies and procedures, and spawning the business' culture. These are all start-up activities.

Marketing is extremely important as this is when the business establishes its identity and initiates its branding strategy. Creating a logo and perhaps a byline is required. Both traditional and new forms of promotion and advertising must be addressed.  Social media is requisite. A website is a necessity for even the smallest of companies and promotion through Amazon, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Google, and a company blog must all be considered. Traditional marketing outlets, such as, ads in newspapers, magazines, and trade journals. Radio and TV spots and a variety of promotional activities, especially at launch, are required.

In almost very case, the Start-Up stage requires assistance. Capital infusion from outside sources, such as angel investors or venture capitalists, may be required. Consultation from start-up specialists and legal and accounting experts may be required. The hiring of a website developer and/or a graphic artist will be needed. The issue is: you can't do it alone. Given the complexities of today's business environment it is almost impossible to conceive, research, plan, implement, market, and launch a profit (or for that matter non-profit) entity without outside professional assistance.

Remember: the Start-Up is the foundation upon which you build the business and prepare for the next stage - Emerging. This is when you begin building the business, solidifying your brand, increasing sales, developing a solid customer base, finding the niche, and nailing-down the product and service fulfillment.

The Fund House - Your Business Launch Pad

Who and Why To Read 'Launch Pad'

Fund House Logo

This is the very first post to the new Fund House blog. It is intended to be viewed and read in concert with the Fund House website, on-line videos, and social media interplay.

Fund House exists to provide two distinct and critical aspects to start-up and small business ventures: consulting and investment.

Consulting: We provide early-stage businesses and start-ups with the vital tools required to successfully launch and then maintain momentum which is critical to sustainability is the very harsh business environment we currently find ourselves.

Investment: We will provide micro/angel funding for those entities in the green space, technology, medical, and media/performing arts that we deem to have great potential and management and which compliment our portfolio.

Our strength lies in the ability to, not only analyze, but foster a forward-thinking business philosophy which builds high-performance, results-oriented cultures.  We are facilitators in the development of influencer products and services.

Why View/Read This Blog

As our logo depicts, the Fund House is a tri-union between our client, their business venture, and ourselves - working together to provide greater success than would be achieved otherwise. This blog will adhere to that credo. It will provide the best advice and information available without bias or sales pitch to the benefit of all small, early-stage, or start-up businesses.