How to get started in business by making do with what is there?

My blog posts are inspired by my experiences with various start-ups and small entrepreneurs. These guys share to me the problems they face and as one passionate about entrepreneurship I in turn share my own solutions. The reason why I then write about these interactions on Sunrise Talk is that I believe somewhere someone has the same problems and may find the solutions given also valuable. 



Every week I do have exchanges with ambitious entrepreneurs and for the 1 to 5 July 2019 week the million dollar question has been “How do I get started in business by making do with what is there?”. Read through for the problems some start-ups are facing with regard to this question and for my own solutions. You are welcome to also share what you think in the comment section at the end.

Make your digital presence cover up for deficit in physical presence.

Due to high rentals for offices or business space in the right locations many small businesses struggle to set up a professional place of business to which they can proudly direct customers.

“ Also try the idea of virtual offices.”

One of the solutions I have written about in as far as this problem is concerned is virtual offices and co-working spaces. These facilities are premises where small players share not only physical space but other critical aspects of modern business like the internet especially in Zimbabwe where bandwidth cost is too high.

“Be conspicuous on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn”

In addition to the above this past week another new solution I shared is that though your physical presence maybe not that good make sure you are not found wanting in the digital space because its cheap there. But above all having a professional and very conspicuous presences on major platforms like Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn makes leads originating from these channels approach you from a position of respect once they physically meet you because the first cut is the deepest.

Learn to cross sell different but relevant products to the same customer.

Difficult economic conditions obviously have a direct effect on sales because disposable incomes become one thing that fail to easily come by. However, a business person’s sales skill can enable him or her to pull through the rough patches. One such skill is called cross selling.

“Leveraging on trust already existing in current customers is a great strategy.”

Its easier to sell to an existing customer a new but related product because of the trust that is already there. This kind of selling is that which is called cross selling. So you can creatively introduce new products from time to time and your existing customers can become a core upon which sales from elsewhere can be built.

This is how I tried to answer the question “How do I get 

started in business by making do with what is there?” in my 

interactions with entrepreneurs. What’s your take?