The world of startups has become a consideration for entrepreneurs nowadays. Not only is this business profitable, but it also reduces unemployment. Seeing the current development of startup businesses, many from various backgrounds want to know and learn about this business.

In Indonesia, the development of the internet has led to the emergence of many startup businesses. Successful local startups include Bukalapak, Gojek, and Tiket.com.

The success of these startup businesses is certainly influenced by their innovation and creativity. However, there are several things to understand if you want to start a startup business, as follows:

1. Start with a simple idea, don’t follow trends

Most of us in our daily lives always follow the booming trends, but to build a startup business, it is recommended not to follow trends, especially trends from other countries. Start with a simple, creative, interesting, and unique idea. Well-developed ideas will yield good results if done consistently and with hard work.

2. Set clear goals

Businesses must have goals. Therefore, ensure the direction and goals of the startup being built are well-established and pursue the goals according to what has been targeted.

3. Identify and analyze the target market

Before continuing the business, identify the target market to sell the products. This is to understand the community’s social-economic conditions. Are they willing to spend money to buy the products?

4. Have a strong and positive team

Something that exists in the world with large capacity needs others to do it and cannot be done alone. To achieve business goals optimally, it is worth inviting people who are willing and trusted to join. It is recommended that those involved in it (the startup being built) also have the same vision, so that the dreamed goals can be achieved.

5. Recruit Co-Founders

In running a startup, it is not determined by how well you can work or solve problems alone. Although many startups can succeed with only one founder, there are also many startups that do not develop if done alone. Additionally, extreme fatigue will also be felt in the midst of building a startup business journey.

For example, if you are a technical or programmer, you need someone non-technical who can sharpen ideas and produce good-quality products. When choosing co-founders, it must be done carefully.

There are several things to consider when choosing these co-founders, namely:

• Having the same vision, so you know exactly where the direction of the startup business is. You must also have an idea of this business so you can find someone who shares the same vision as you.
• Chemistry: Compatibility does not have to be in the form of hobbies, clothing, and so on. But what is meant by chemistry here is in the form of complementing each other’s weaknesses while encouraging growth in the mastered area.
• Black and white: This is very important, everything must be discussed to prevent various worst-case scenarios that may occur in the future, such as the cause of business conflicts. Although it is uncomfortable to discuss, it is very important to do it from the beginning to avoid ruin in the middle of your startup business journey.

6. Don’t be half-hearted, be focused!

In business, you cannot do it half-heartedly. It means, you must be fully committed to developing the startup business consistently. In the process, you will inevitably encounter obstacles. So, perseverance and consistency will help overcome the obstacles and the startup will move forward. Working half-heartedly will not yield the desired results.

7. Funding

Another important thing to start a startup business is funding. Funding is an important part of a startup business. In addition to startup businesses that are indeed carried out with self-funding and succeed, there are also startups that require more time in planning and execution to reach the Break Even Point [BEP]. To get this funding, you must have a pitch deck or investment proposal that can be shown to relations, venture capital, family, or other parties.

So, besides having curiosity about the startup world, we should also learn and always hone our abilities and creativity. Because if we don’t develop an idea, it will become a burden on the mind that never gets resolved.