Many people think design is about how things look, but the truth is design is also about how things work. Design is more than a service industry, it's a cross-functional way of thinking that is invaluable in starting innovative companies. Empathy for customers, an eye for aesthetics and creativity make designers excellent potential founders. However, a general lack of business skills, focus and confidence prevents them from pursuing this path.
Designers have everything they need to become change-maker founders and creators - they just need to know that it is a possibility and be given a helping hand. With that in mind, here are 5 things to be mindful of when starting a business as a creative designer by Sonal Kadchha co-founder of Design Future.
Empathise with your customer to understand their problem
Creators can build new demands and create a necessity in the market. However, they need to be close to their customers to understand their problems, fears, needs and desires. They need to be continuously listening, observing and analysing their behaviours - and then be creative and strategic enough to turn these people into customers.
Check if your market is big enough
The world is full of great ideas, but not all of them are solid enough to become successful businesses. One of the first things that a creator needs to check is whether their target customer base and market is large enough to build a profitable company.
Understand your competitive advantage
Many people, when starting their business, look for ways to beat the competition. They focus their products and services on their competitors, making their small presence in the market compete with bigger and more established businesses from day one.
However, many successful businesses we know created a new market. When someone creates their market and captures new demand, the competition becomes irrelevant.
Build the right team around you
Starting a business can be very lonely and the process is harder when a creator decides to do everything on their own.
But it doesn't need to be like that, starting from finding a co-founder. They can help a creator increase their new business' productivity, bring new skills and ideas to the table and, most important, offer moral support. It's always easier to walk long paths with someone by your side. If someone is in a rush and prefers to work alone until they can hire a team, it is important to know that the support they will get from a team won't be the same they would get from a co-founder. For a simple matter of interest: co-founders see founders as partners in their dreams, whereas employees see bosses as bosses.
Find your community
Communities are the best way to be in contact with what's out there in the industry, being close to other people on the same journey as you, businesses, ideas and opportunities. Once a creator has everything set up internally, it is time to build connections and get external support to check and validate their ideas - and adjust them if necessary.
