Most new entrepreneurs come into their new found venture very optimistic, full of hope and reams. The way it should be. There are dreams of money and freedom, I had those by the way. So what happens afterward? For most entrepreneurs comes a high learning curve, it is the realities of risk taking versus reward reaping. Eventually the rewards will be reaped but in the beginning there is a lot more giving than taking. First you should set realistic financial goals ones that you can achieve, you should also set time frames for those goals.
Financial planning is a broad topic so here lets just focus on the aspect of financial goal planning as a budding entrepreneur. You should set your sights on earning more than what you think you need because it is better to have more cash than less.
Second you should borrow as little as possible to get started, in most cases that is nearly impossible, but you will be surprised at all of the alternative options available after you put some research and thought into it. Each case will be different and only you as the expert in your business knows how to get it off the ground. Your goals should be realistic such as increasing your revenues 10% or earning an extra $300/week for example. Do not set goals that will be nearly impossible to achieve, I know if you are an entrepreneur you confidence exudes out of you but please do not set yourself up to fail, its not a good feeling.
You should also set financial goals that have a time frame, for example, how much you want to earn in five years. The same rules apply as already stated. Having a time frame for your finances will help you know how much you have progressed in your new career. Both short term and long term financial planning will aid you in avoiding a lot of wasted money as time passes.
On last thing to mention is that plans are just that. Flexibility is the key and it is your job as an entrepreneur to adjust you sails of the winds of change of the business world and direct your venture to where you want it to go. One basic rule to remember is that plans are good for charting a course, but your ability to adapt to the certain changes that will always happen is what will get you to your destination.
After your financial goals are clear you can then plan on other aspects of your business. Always remember to set aside in your budget money to put away in reserves. No other method is so financially sound as that one. Savings will always give you security and greater command of your business. Next to savings are investments which again should be conservative until you have enough to be more aggressive.
You financial security will largely depend on how well you set goals, budget wisely with savings included, and invest conservatively. There will be time to be more aggressive with your business financial affairs, but at the beginning you should take it easy until you have a steady flow of income.