The 5 Most Common Mistakes Small Businesses Make

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Entrepreneurship is a popular goal among Americans of many different ages. A recent survey by Junior Achievement™ USA finds that 60% of U.S. teenagers would rather open their own businesses than work a traditional job in the future. Meanwhile, a Digital.com survey finds that 2 in 5 American adults plan to start a business in 2023. 

If becoming a business owner is part of your American dream, it's wise to do everything possible to set yourself up for success. And part of preparing to succeed should involve learning from the mistakes of others. 

Below you will discover five common mistakes that small business owners make. When you take the time to learn about these potential pitfalls in advance, you will hopefully be better prepared to avoid them in your business journey.

Mistake #1: Having No Plan

Before you start a new business, it's important to have a business plan. If you skipped this step when you first launched your startup, consider creating a plan that can help take your company forward from where it stands currently. 

Even a basic business plan can help you map out key details such as the costs you'll likely encounter, the products or services you plan to sell and who your target customers will be. According to the Harvard Business Review, entrepreneurs who draft a formal business plan are 16% more likely to achieve viability than those who skip this important step. 

Slick Tip: Want to write a business plan of your own but don't know where to start? The SBA provides a free template you can use as a guide. 

Mistake #2: Analysis Paralysis

Creating a business plan is wise. At the same time, it's a mistake to think that you need to have every little detail figured out before you can get your business up and running. Overthinking can stifle productivity and hold back any company—those in the startup phase and beyond. 

Here are some simple tips that may help you avoid analysis paralysis: 

• Schedule deadlines for making business decisions. 
• Break big decisions down into smaller, actionable steps. 
• If you have to choose between multiple options, narrow the choices down early. 
• Seek input from others you trust and respect. 
• Accept that "perfect" answers often don't exist and seek the best solutions for your situation.

Mistake #3: Failure to Set up a Legitimate Business 

When you establish a new business, there are certain legal steps you need to complete. These steps may include:

• Confirming your business name isn't already in use by a registered company.
• Registering your business with the Secretary of State (or other appropriate state offices).
• Selecting a business entity (e.g., LLC, corporation or partnership).
• Requesting an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS, as well as a tax ID (if your state requires this).
• Applying for all the required licenses and permits you'll need to do business (which varies by industry and state).

Business owners that fail to set up their companies properly the first time could face serious problems. Without a registered business, for example, you might be personally liable if someone files a lawsuit against your company. And if you don't request an EIN from the IRS (and you subsequently fail to pay your federal business taxes as required), the consequences could be far more severe. 

Mistake #4: Not Separating Business and Personal Finances

As a small business owner, the line between your business and personal life may often be blurred. According to the SBA, almost half of small business owners use personal credit cards for business expenses. However, you must maintain a clear distinction between your business and personal finances. Fail to do so and you could face a variety of potential problems. For example, when you intermingle business and personal finances you might forgo personal liability protections if someone tries to sue your business in the future. 

One of the best ways to keep your business and personal finances separate is to open separate accounts in your company's name. Such accounts might include a:  

• Business Checking Account
• Business Savings Account
• Business Credit Card

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Business credit cards might also be an effective way to help establish business credit for your new company (depending on the card issuer's credit reporting policy). Building good business credit could make it easier to qualify for business financing in the future such as business loans, lines of credit and commercial real estate loans. 

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Mistake #5: Trying to Do Everything Yourself

There's no question that you have to wear many different hats when you start a business. But no matter how talented you may be, no one can manage everything on their own when it comes to running a company. 

Along the way, you may need to hire staff, work with contractors, outsource key tasks to professionals, or perhaps engage in some combination of the above. Asking others for help typically does come at a cost in the form of salaries, wages or professional fees. Yet hiring help can also free you up to focus on doing what you do best—hopefully allowing you to generate more revenue and making those expenses well worth the investment in the long run. 

Next Steps

In 2022, the number of U.S. small businesses rose to over 33 million according to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). As you work toward your own business-related goals, it's wise to study the failures and successes of entrepreneurs who have come before you. 

Avoiding the five mistakes above can be a great place to begin. Once you finish learning about these common business blunders (and how not to repeat them in your professional journey), the following guide on how to start a business can help you take your research a step further.