Hello everybody,
What was the most difficult thing when you were starting your business? Can you give any advice for those who just started so maybe they can avoid the same errors? Thank you,

When I first went freelance as a graphic designer I wasn't going to use an accountant as I thought it would cost too much. I soon realised I was wrong. The accountant I now have saves me far more money, knowing what I can claim for and can't etc that he saves me far more money than I pay him.

The most difficult thing for me is marketing and advertising. Once I figure out how to do it effectively I'll let you know!

There are lots of ways to get your name out there need any pointers give me a shout!

I am getting around 400 hits per month to my site without a high ranking in any of the Search engines which is my next task the dreaded SEO!!!

1.Having enough money to pull it off.
2.Dealing with employees.
3.Learning to save the amount you owe for payroll taxes and sales tax...let alone, income tax, real estate taxes and personal property taxes monthy...instead of waiting until they are due.

Mine has been Marketing. I always thought if you build it they will come. Everyone said I had such a great idea, but I couldn't get my name out there. I'm still struggling with that.

Money has been mine.

There are two main problems faced by most new businesses in my experience...

Planning – Too many new businesses spend far too much time planning things rather than actually doing the things they plan... this is due I believe to fear of failure, they would rather plan, and then refine the plan again and again rather than risk failing at actually making it work.

SALES – Every new business needs to learn quickly how to generate sales, nothing can happen until you make a sale so you need to spend lots of time making sales happen... something most people don’t like doing.

The biggest mistake I made was by paying for too much in cash and not borrowing enough.

I had a lot of credit available to me and instead paid for almost everything out of ready cash.

Trouble was, I depleted my war chest and my first year in business was veyr, very tense.

I'd advise a person to have a mattress of money for that first year. Don't anticipate making a dime, and be prepared to dip into that mattress for both personal and business expenses.

Next business I start, I won't be so afraid to use credit.

Money
Marketing
Taxes

Money...of course there is never enough, so I was afraid to spend on marketing and advertising. I had a great business in a very busy location so why advertise? Wrong! I found out the hard way you still need to get your name out there.
And taxes. Geez taxes are a pain! Monthly sales taxes and quarterly everything else taxes and year end taxes. YUK!