Becoming an entrepreneur requires plenty of skills and knowledge, and is not something that can happen overnight. At Bellview Institute of Distance Learning, you can study a range of NATED or ICB courses, that are designed to provide you with the necessary skills and knowledge, as well as qualifications you will need, to start your own business.
What Is An Entrepreneur?
An entrepreneur is someone who has created their own business, by identifying a need in the community, and providing goods or services to meet those needs. Entrepreneurs play an important role in the economy, and can boost economic growth by introducing new products or services.
Steps To Become An Entrepreneur
To become an entrepreneur, there are various steps you need to take prior to setting up your business. These steps are to help you properly manage and navigate your ideas, by identifying the pros and cons, and will aid in turning your ideas into a thriving business.
Here are some of the steps you need to consider when setting up a business:
- Identify a need in your community
- Set up a business plan
- Identify your target audience
- Conduct research on everything you need to start your business
- Asses your finances
- Take the first step
1. Identify A Need In The Community
To develop and start your own business, an important point to note is to identify a need in the community. By identifying what a community needs, the chances of your business flourishing will increase, as you are able to supply an in-demand good or service.
2. Set Up Your Business Plan
Once you have identified a need in the community, you can start planning ways in which you will be able to supply that need. By setting up a business plan, you can identify potential risks and difficulties, and can thoroughly prepare to solve potential problems.
To help set up a business plan, it is important to ask yourself the following questions:
- What is the purpose of my business?
- Is my product or service a necessity in the community?
- Who is my target audience?
- How much money is required to start my business?
- What is the goal of my business?
3. Conduct Research And Identify A Target Audience
By conducting thorough research, you can identify multiple factors that will aid in the starting of your business, such as customer needs or preferences, and can gain a deeper understanding of your industry as a whole.
Not only that, but through research you can learn about company rivals, and can gain an advantage over your competitors.
4. Assess You Finances
Setting up a business is, of course, going to cost you. Therefore, it is important to evaluate and assess your finances, to ensure that you are able to meet your business idea with the required financial resources, and to understand whether your ideas will return to make you a profitable business.
5. Take The First Step
While it is important to have all the planning and resources available to you, it is still a daunting task to actually go out and take the first step. If you are serious about starting your own business, and would like to become an entrepreneur, taking the first step is the most important of all.
Traits An Entrepreneur Should Have
There are certain skills and traits an entrepreneur should possess, to ensure that they successfully navigate through entrepreneurship, and their ideas come to fruition. These traits include:
- Risk taking
- Confidence
- Planning
- Financially literate
- Business literate
- Passionate
Benefits Of Becoming An Entrepreneur
Taking the risky step of becoming an entrepreneur will lead to many benefits, as you get to experience the perks of owning your own business, and being your own boss. Some of the benefits of entrepreneurship include:
- Flexible schedule
- Great salary
- You do what you love
- Positive impact
Flexible Schedule
There is great flexibility in becoming an entrepreneur. Being your own boss means you can set your own timetable as to when to work, and will be able to centre your job around what works best for you.
Great Salary
You do not have to wait for someone to pay you a fixed salary. Entrepreneurship will allow you to decide how much you make, so the potential for earnings is virtually unlimited.
You Do What You Love
Starting your own business means you get to do something you are passionate about. Since there are many challenges that come along with owning a business, doing something you love gives you the added motivation to be prepared to meet it, and will allow you to take pride in your work.
Positive Impact
By starting your own business, you can impact and influence the people around you positively. As an entrepreneur, you can create jobs for others in the community, and will be able to increase the country’s economic performance.
Courses You Can Study To Become An Entrepreneur
Bellview Institute of Distance Learning offers NATED and ICB courses, to help you develop your skills and knowledge in entrepreneurship and business management. These courses will also provide you with the necessary credentials and qualifications to set up and start your own business.
NATED Courses
The NATED courses on offer at Bellview, includes a range of study courses that will equip you with knowledge and skills in different career paths, depending on your interests, and preference of work.
Financial Management Diploma Course
The Financial Management Diploma programme will cover a total of four courses, and will equip you with knowledge and skills in areas such as:
- Entrepreneurship and Business Management
- Financial Accounting
- Computerised Financial Systems
- Cost and Management Accounting
Business Management Diploma Course
The Business Management Diploma programme will cover a total of four courses, and will equip you with knowledge and skills in areas such as:
- Entrepreneurship and Business Management
- Management Communication
- Accounting
- Sales Management
- Public Relations
- Computer Practice
Marketing Management Diploma Course
The Marketing Management Diploma programme will cover a total of four courses, and will equip you with knowledge and skills in areas such as:
- Entrepreneurship and Business Management
- Sales Management
- Marketing Management
- Management Communication
- Market Research
- Computer Practice
Educare Diploma Course
The Educare Diploma programme will cover a total of four courses, and will equip you with knowledge and skills in areas such as:
- Entrepreneurship and Business Management
- Child Health
- Educare Didactics
- Educational Psychology
- Daycare Communication
- Daycare Personnel Development
Human Resource Management Diploma Course
The Human Resource Management Diploma programme will cover a total of four courses, and will equip you with knowledge and skills in areas such as:
- Entrepreneurship and Business Management
- Personnel Management
- Personnel Training
- Management Communication
- Labour Relations
- Computer Practice
ICB Courses
The ICB courses on offer at Bellview, offers a variety of study courses that will advance you in areas such as management, and bookkeeping and accounting, and will help you in setting up your own business.
ICB Business Management Course
The ICB Business Management programme consists of the following courses:
- Small Business Financial Management: ICB National Certificate
- Office Administration – Business Management: ICB Higher Certificate
- Financial Accounting – Business Management: ICB National Diploma
ICB Bookkeeping And Accounting
The ICB Bookkeeping and Accounting programme consists of the following courses:
Distance Learning
All NATED and ICB courses offered by Bellview are distance learning courses. This means that courses can be completed in your own time, and at your own pace, from anywhere in the country.
Bellview Institute of Distance Learning Benefits
The various benefits Bellview provides to you when studying a distance learning course include:
- Flexible Schedules – There are no set schedules, so you can study at the same time
- Affordable Courses – Courses are affordable and can be done from anywhere, so you save money on transportation costs
- Support Systems – There is a support system to help you get all available help when necessary, and to ensure your time studying goes smoothly
What Are The Entry Requirements?
To register for our NATED or ICB courses, the minimum entry requirements are:
- NATED Courses – Matric Certificate: National Senior Certificate or Amended Senior Certificate
- ICB Courses – Grade 10 or Equivalent Certificate (Note: Entry requirements will vary based on course studied)
Bellview Institute Of Distance Learning Application Process
You can choose to register for our NATED or ICB courses by:
- Calling us on our toll-free line at 080 039 0027
- Contacting one of our qualified course specialists
- Call or WhatsApp us: 065 656 9818
- Filling in our online application form
Frequently Asked Questions
To become an entrepreneur, you need to:
- Identify a need in your community
- Set up a business plan
- Identify your target audience
- Conduct research on everything need to start your business
- Asses your finances
- Take the first step
To become an entrepreneur, you can study the various ICB or NATED courses on offer at Bellview, and will gain the necessary knowledge, in whichever avenue you are looking to pursue.
Entrepreneurs need to have the following skills in order to succeed:
- Passionate
- Hard-working
- Focused
- Ability to learn
- Business-minded
- Financial-minded
- Goal-driven
Some small business ideas to become an entrepreneur include:
- Starting your own food business
- Interior designing or selling home-made products
- Starting a pet-sitting business
- Start a tutoring business
No, you do not need Matric to become an entrepreneur. At Bellview, you can start studying ICB courses, with your Grade 10 certificate.
Author: Ashley Roskruge
Editor: Connor Bergsma
Date Published: June 15, 2022