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The new year -- which also happens to be a new decade -- is fast approaching. Most of us have already started listing our goals and thinking of ways of how to start fresh, or better our lives in some way.

While there are some who target short-term goals such as losing weight or going to a particular tourist destination, there are others who have long-term and life-changing goals in mind, such as starting their own business.

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Janine Gutierrez gets real about being a first-time business owner

In the recently concluded graduation rites of L'oréal Business School's first batch of graduates, we had a conversation with one of its faculty members, Mr. Jon Bantigue, owner of Azta Urban Salon.

During the course of the extensive eight-day business program, he imparted his knowledge and experience in running and marketing his salon to the 22 students of the said business school.

So we took the opportunity to get a gist of what it's like to actually start your own business, and also asked for tips on how to make it successful.

1. Starting our business with the right mindset

Most people have wild dreams of becoming a multi-millionaire after starting their own business. They expect money to come in continuously, and envision themselves taking selfies in their luxury car and flashing loads of cash on social media. While that could be a good motivation, according to Jon, this is not the right mindset in starting a business.

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He says, “Ang common misconception ng isang empleyado na gustong mag-negosyo ay 'magbi-business ako para madali ang buhay or magbi-business ako 'pag retire.' While that may be a prevalent mindset, it is definitely not the right mindset.

"Opening a business is easy. But to make it succeed is equally, or if not, even more difficult than keeping a job.

"For one, it's 24/7. Second, the risk is all yours. Walang kang monthly pay. 'Pag lugi negosyo mo, abonado ka pa.”

2. How to make your business a success

There are several factors that a business owner has to consider when running his business. Most of them depend on the nature of the business, the available resources and manpower, and so on.

But Jon believes there is one practice that is applicable to any kind of business, and is actually the secret to making it successful.

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“Tutok. 'Yun ang pinaka-importante. Kung gusto mong pumasok ng negosyo para madali ang buhay, hindi ka dapat pumasok ng negosyo. It will only succeed kung natutukan mo siya nang maayos.”

3. Importance of educating yourself

Some who aspire to be an entrepreneur take business management course in college, while others rely on passed on knowledge and experience from older family members who have run their business. And then there are also some who start their own business with very little to almost no idea at all of how to do it.

According to Jon, regardless of your social status or educational background, it is important to invest in educating yourself before starting your own business.

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“Even if you're a business graduate, let's say from college, it's hard to apply business theories and principles without the work experience. Likewise, without the theories, you end up following the wrong principles, the wrong methods, even the wrong mindset.

"So attending some sort of formal structured education, even if it's just a short course, will definitely help. Of course, mas maganda kung may konting work and business experience ka na bago ka mag-sign up for that.”

4. Benefits of growing your network

It's no secret that having many connections can help you make your business a success. And it's not just all about meeting people who could be your potential clients, business partners, or suppliers. More importantly, you learn a thing or two about how you can improve your business.

Jon explains the benefit of meeting fellow salon owners.

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“No system is perfect. No salon management is perfect. We were able to learn best practices from one another.

"'Yung ibang mga may-ari ng salon are hairdressers, 'yung iban naman ay negosyante katulad ko. So may kanya-kanyang strength and weaknesses. Marami akong napulot sa kanila.”

To sum it all up, what aspiring and first time entrepreneurs should keep in mind are:

1. Starting your business with the right mindset.

2. Be hands on in running your business.

3. Educate yourself. Take business courses if you can.

4. Expand your network and learn best practices.

With these tips from an actual business owner, you are sure to have a good start in your entrepreneurship journey.