Starting any business from scratch is a difficult task –– even for the most experienced entrepreneurs. Indeed, past success creating profitable startups doesn’t necessarily guarantee prosperity in a new attempt. In fact, there’s virtually no way to guarantee that your business will flourish; even the most well-made plans can prove ineffective in the cold reality of the free market. However, there are certain measures that every new business owner absolutely needs to take before setting out on a new venture. With that in mind, here are four essential prerequisites to establishing a viable company

Sound Partnerships

They say Rome wasn’t built in a day; it also wasn’t built by one person, either. In the same way, no successful business is a “solo effort.” To that end, work to surround yourself with capable and intelligent team members who share your vision. Furthermore, network with other professionals in your market. You never know when a connection might come in handy, so don’t dismiss any business meeting –– especially early on in your company’s development

Industry Specific Tools and Tech

Never has technology been more sophisticated than it is right now. And while that shouldn’t surprise anyone, the sheer number of industry-specific tools and programs might. From a point of sale for pharmacies to call tracking software for marketers, chances are there’s at least one substantial tech advancement available exclusively for businesses just like yours. Seek out these advantages before you open your doors –– otherwise you could end up playing catch-up for a long while!

Market Research

Remember the scene in Jaws when Roy Scheider first encounters the monstrous shark and utters the now iconic line, “You’re gonna need a bigger boat”? Well, when it comes to starting a new company, you don’t want to get left “needing a bigger boat” right from the outset. That’s why it’s critical for aspiring entrepreneurs to do plenty of market research before they throw themselves into a project. If you don’t, you’re inviting catastrophe.

Belief

Do you need sound financial backing to make a new business work? Of course. How about an understanding of your services and potential customer base? Absolutely. There’s almost no end to the number of tangible things a new business needs in order to hit the ground running. The truth is, creating a company from scratch is a fragile and intricate operation. Still, the one commonality between thriving business owners is a belief in their work. If you yourself aren’t convinced of the importance and the value of your efforts, then you’ll struggle to convince anyone else. Plus, a firm belief in your company’s mission is necessary if you’re going to weather the difficulties that inevitably come with starting a business. If this vital element of faith is lacking, no amount of work, research, or funding is likely to compensate for it.