Starting a business: is it a good idea in times of crisis?

What are the most interesting sectors for starting a business in this time of crisis?

If you do not yet have a precise idea for your project, certain sectors are promising for starting a business even in times of crisis.

Personal services

Ecology and renewable energies

The sale of Made In France products

Printing 3D objects

E-commerce (online sales)

E-learning (online training)

La French Tech: artificial intelligence, robotics and chemistry

Coaching, which was particularly developed during confinement

Take-out catering with home delivery

The web professions: developer , custom video animator, web SEO, web editor, web designer, graphic designer

Telecommunication

Whatever sector you choose, it is important that your service offer or your products meet a need of society, of the consumer.

The advantages of starting a business in times of crisis

Setting up a business, with its business plan and market research is not impossible in times of crisis. If the situation has multiple drawbacks (fewer customers, less income), there are still some positive points.

First of all, the communication costs may be lower than before. In particular, newspapers charge very dearly for advertising inserts. After a crisis like that of the Covid-19, some will offer lower offers in order to find new customers.

At the level of independent graphic designers and communication agencies, prices may also be falling. The creation of business cards, flyers, logo, web banners and other media will be less expensive for you.

In times of crisis, you can also get free training, which was especially the case during the coronavirus. Many companies have offered free webinars as well. The perfect opportunity to learn more about certain entrepreneurial aspects that you have not mastered before the big leap!

In addition, many professional coaches have made their services available to entrepreneurs, freelancers and freelancers for free. During a meeting, you have the opportunity to take stock of your project and take the time to think about each element (how you are going to organize yourself, the communication supports that you will favor, how to manage successfully professional / family life…).

Finally, stay tuned for promotional offers that will grow at the start of deconfinement and can help you get started more easily!

What are the aid for business creation?

For the moment, the Covid-19 crisis has not affected the aid offered to business creators.

You can therefore always take advantage of exemptions or reductions in your social charges, such as ACCRE and JEI (Young Innovative Enterprises). It is also possible to have access to a zero rate loan (NACRE), to maintain your unemployment benefits (ARE) or to receive an activity bonus in addition to your salary, when you start your activity.

Many other aids exist and are listed in our dedicated article.

You therefore have support to assist you in your project! It is up to you to talk about it with the contacts who concern you to find out about all the possibilities open to you.

Do you need to have starting capital to get started?

We know that in times of crisis, savings can quickly run out. But don't panic, solutions exist here too to help you find funds and start your professional activity well!

The system crowfunding, also called crowdfunding, of promoting your project on platforms in order to find funding (grants, loans, equity participation). In the same wave, you can also turn to love money. Unlike crowdfunding, it is your family members or friends who will participate in your fundraising.

And then, some sectors do not require start-up funds, such as web professions! It is very easy to start a freelance or self-employed activity with little spending. All you need is a desktop or laptop computer and a good connection and you're good to go!

Test your project before you start

It is not because we are in crisis that you should shorten this part, quite the contrary!

It is essential to test the feasibility, to confront the reality of your project before embarking on the creation of a business.

This limited period allows you to fully understand your business model, to see your strengths and weaknesses, but above all allows you to have the opportunity to go through with the adventure.

By joining a structure of incubators or business incubators, you will be able to have a legal framework (siret number, CAPE employment contract, purchases of operating equipment, accounting, etc.). In the same vein, wage portage companies are able to support you at the start.