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Dream of turning one of your small business ideas into a profitable business?

If you have a chronic illness, it can be tough to make a living. You may not be able to work a so-called traditional job, or you may have to take time off work for doctor’s appointments or flare-ups. 

Even if you struggle to work, you can still start a business or side hustle and make some extra money. In fact, ramping up one of your small business ideas can be a great way to become your own boss and set your own hours.

In this article, I’m going to provide you with 10 key steps you can use to turn one of your small business ideas into a successful startup.

Why Bother With One of Your Small Business Ideas at All?

I started my first business in 2017, dreaming of turning my new startup into a thriving business. I had no idea what I was doing, but despite struggling with a chronic illness, I dreamed of making a difference with something that was entirely my own.

It’s been a long journey, full of all sorts of twists and turns, but my small startup brought joy, passion, and fulfillment into my life.

It hasn’t always been easy… I’ve had my share of downturns, but even those were still worth it.

If you dream of making a difference in the world with one of your small business ideas, then I encourage you to do so. Together, we can prove to the world that people with disabilities are just as capable of making a positive difference in the world. 

Besides, you deserve the satisfaction that kind of success can bring to your life. 

So why wait? 

If you’re ready to dive in and ramp up your startup, then keep reading, because I’m about to give you 10 steps you can use to turn one of your small business ideas into a successful startup.

10 Steps to Startup Success

Here are 10 steps you can follow to turn one of your small business ideas into a successful startup:

1. Make sure your business idea is aligned with your interests and skills. 

You’ll want to first consider your strengths and interests. After all, it’s tough work to build a successful business. You’ll want to make sure you’re positioned for success right from the beginning by ensuring your small business idea aligns with your passions and skills.

Psst… if you want to take an inventory of your strengths for inspiration, I recommend reading Strengths Finder, which comes with a free personality quiz when you buy the book new!

2. Do your research. 

Once you’ve chosen a side hustle to pursue, it’s important to do your research. Learn as much as you can about the industry and how to get started. There are many resources available online and in libraries that can help you succeed.

3. Create a business plan. 

A business plan is a roadmap to building a successful business. It will help you define your goals, identify your target market, and develop a marketing plan. 

You may not need a comprehensive and extensive business plan, depending on which of your small business ideas you choose to pursue, but there are many templates available online that can help you with this step.

4. Set realistic goals. 

It’s important to set realistic goals for your side hustle. For instance, you shouldn’t expect to make a million dollars overnight.

It’s also important to be realistic about how much energy you’ll have on a given day, especially when you’re balancing the demands of a chronic illness. 

Don’t try to do too much too soon, or you’ll risk burnout. Start small and gradually increase your workload and earnings as your energy levels allow.

Psst… if you need a handy tool to make sure your goals are staying on target, I recommend using ClickUp (the free tier alone is super helpful).

5. Create a schedule that works for you. 

When you have a chronic illness, it’s important to create a schedule that reasonably balances your health and business needs. 

If at all possible, find times to work when you have the most energy and when you’re least likely to experience symptoms.

6. Get organized. 

It’s important to be organized when you’re running a small business. Keep track of your finances, schedule your time, and stay on top of deadlines. This will help you stay on track and avoid feeling overwhelmed.

ClickUp is a great tool to help you stay organized with your various business tasks.

7. Delegate tasks. 

Whether you have a chronic illness or not, it helps to delegate when possible. This will free up your time so that you can focus on the most important tasks in your business.

Even better if you can delegate your least favorite tasks and focus on doing the things you most enjoy!

8. Take breaks and be patient. 

It’s important to take mindful breaks to avoid burnout and stay healthy. You might be tempted to push forward (I often did), but your business and health with thank you later if you take the breaks you need, I promise. 

Don’t forget, it takes time and effort to successfully ramp up one of your small business ideas. You shouldn’t expect immense success overnight, but with time and effort, you’ll get there!

Be patient and keep working hard, and you will eventually achieve your goals.

9. Don’t give up. 

There will be times when you want to give up, but it’s important to keep going. If you stick with it, you can achieve startup success.

10. Celebrate your successes. 

It’s important to celebrate your successes, no matter how small they may seem. This will help you stay motivated so that you can keep moving forward.

Building a successful side hustle as a chronic illness warrior isn’t easy, but it is possible. By following these 10 steps, you can increase your chances of achieving startup success.

7 Additional Tips

Here are some 7 tips to help you successfully ramp up one of your small business ideas as a chronic illness warrior:

Take care of yourself and prioritize your health. 

I get it, easier said than done right?

Regardless, it’s important to take care of your physical and mental health where possible, especially when you’re juggling a chronic illness and a small business. 

Make sure you get enough rest and follow your doctor’s orders. Your health should always be your top priority. If you’re not feeling well, take a break.

Be flexible. 

Your schedule will likely change from day to day, especially as your health needs shift, so build flexibility into your work hours.

Don’t be afraid to fail. 

Everyone fails at some point. What’s important is that you learn from your mistakes and keep moving forward.

Find a supportive community. 

There are many online and offline communities for people with chronic illnesses. These communities can provide you with support, advice, and resources.

Use technology to your advantage. 

There are many tools and resources that can help you run your side hustle from home. This can be especially helpful if you have limited mobility or energy.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. 

If you need help, don’t be afraid to ask for help from friends, family, or professionals.

Don’t give up on your dreams. 

With hard work and dedication, you can achieve anything. Focus on your goals and keep striving forward to achieve them!

Conclusion

A small business can be a great way to supplement your income and gain more control over your life. Follow these tips to ramp up one of your small business ideas, and you’ll be well on your way to achieving startup success.

Have questions or want to learn more? Tell me about your small business idea in the comments below and I’d be happy to provide you with additional support and feedback.

Recommended Reading

Top 10 Best Side Hustles for the Chronic Illness Warrior

How to Find a Career That Accommodates Your Disability: 7 Tips for Success

10 Tips for the Chronic Illness Warrior: How to Achieve Financial Freedom with FIRE

How to Build a Solid Savings That Supports the Medical Needs of Your Chronic Illness

How to Navigate a Career with a Chronic Illness: 10 Tips for Career Success

Additional Resources

• The Campaign for Disability Employment
• The Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
• The National Organization on Disability (NOD)
• The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD)
• The American Chronic Pain Association
• The Invisible Disabilities Association

Think ramping up one of your small business ideas will FIRE Your Life? Check out the posts page for more ways you can FIRE Your Career and achieve financial freedom.

FIRE Your Career: Achieve Financial Freedom Through Your Career & Spend MORE Time Doing What You Love.

Tools and Resources I recommend in this article:

Strengths Finder (book to help you uncover your innate strengths, includes a free personality quiz)

ClickUp (my recommended goal-tracking tool)