6 questions and answers about starting a business Are you considering starting a business? Good preparation increases the chances of success...

6 questions and answers about starting a business

Are you considering starting a business? Good preparation increases the chances of success: follow this checklist to get off to a flying start.

1. How do I start a business?

Depending on the sector and your profession, you may also have to register with other bodies, such as a company or product board, or pension fund. The Chamber of Commerce or your trade association can tell you more about this.

Choose legal form

In most cases, starting entrepreneurs can register their company in person at the Chamber of Commerce, but there are exceptions. This depends on the legal form you choose. If you set up a sole proprietorship, general partnership, or partnership, you can register the company yourself in the register.

Notary

This is a different story with a legal entity, such as a private company, public limited company, or foundation. In that case, the civil-law notary is the legal person who registers the company with the Chamber of Commerce.

Company Name

It is therefore important to think carefully in advance about the right legal form and a suitable company name.

Are you unsure whether the name you have in mind resembles an existing brand too much? 

2. Do I have to register my company with the tax authorities?

No, in principle not. Once you are registered with the Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber of Commerce will automatically pass on your details to the Tax Authorities. Do you also want to hire or hire staff? Please keep in mind that you must indicate this immediately when you register with the Chamber of Commerce.

VAT identification number

After the tax authorities have received your registration, you will automatically receive a VAT identification number to communicate with your customers. You will also receive a turnover tax number from the tax authorities with which you file the VAT return and the income tax return.

Successful start in 5 steps

Starting your own business is a fantastic leap of faith. With our step-by-step plan, you can be sure that you will not forget anything and you will start successfully!

 3. Do I need a business plan?

If you have made the decision and want to become an entrepreneur, it is important to prepare yourself as best as possible for the start. Writing a business plan, with which you map out the opportunities, risks, and potential customers will help you with this.

Raising seed capital

In many cases, a business plan is also necessary if you need additional financing because banks and other investors determine whether they want to provide start-up capital based on a business plan.

But even if you don't need financing to start your business, writing a business plan is a good way to give more shape to your ideas.

While making a business plan, you are forced to think about the opportunities and risks and you gain more insight into the feasibility of your plans.

Business Guidance

The start-up phase of a company can be erratic and a business plan should therefore not be seen as a definitive document, but as a guideline for your business operations, which you can adjust according to the circumstances. For example now, during the corona crisis.

4. How do I get clients or clients?

Finding enough customers and clients is crucial for every entrepreneur, including a starter. Finding enough customers and expanding your network is therefore one of your most important tasks as a starting entrepreneur.

You can achieve this goal by going to network meetings and making acquisitions both online and offline, but also by creating or having a professional-looking website made.

5. Where will I work?

The question that almost every starter asks himself at some point: do I immediately start looking for a suitable business location or do I work from home for the first period?

This decision also depends on several things, for example, whether or not you want to hire staff and the accessibility and suitability of your workplace. For example, if you receive many customers, working from home is not a good option.

For that reason, more and more freelancers choose to rent a desk in an office that they share with other independent professionals.

6. Do I need a business account and insurance?

After your registration with the Chamber of Commerce, it is time to open a  business account. Business banking is actually recommended in all cases because it allows you to keep your business and private administration separate from the start. 

insurances

It is wise to see which business and personal insurance policies you need to take out. Every company (and entrepreneur) is different and so are the associated risks. In general, you will have to take out at least some personal insurance and business insurance.

Disability insurance

For example, consider disability insurance or a pension scheme. Will you be hiring staff soon? Then you will also have to draw up good secondary employment conditions for your employees.