Why now is the time to take the spring into action
If you’ve had plans or ideas that you have been nurturing over winter, now could be the ideal time for them to spring to life.
25 March 2026
With daffodils everywhere and blue skies and sunshine reappearing it is hard not to notice the arrival of spring. This is a time of new starts and renewal; so maybe this is the time for you to look again at taking a leap into the world of being a founder.
Becoming your own boss by founding a business can be one of the most rewarding career choices available, but it is rarely the route to an easy life. Experienced founders rarely speak in terms of regret, but many will admit there was a lot they didn’t realise before they took the first steps.
How do I know if it’s possible to turn my idea into a viable venture?
Before you commit to anything as a founder, and certainly before you really consider taking the leap, you should do basic research into your proposed product or service. If you haven’t got as far as having an idea, then maybe it’s time to start thinking of one. But when and if you do have an idea, you need to research the likely cost of delivering or producing it, the likely demand or market for that product or service and any existing products or services that might already offer what you propose.
If you’d had a great idea, there is a fair chance someone else has already had it too. If they didn’t follow, up it’s worth asking why. Was it because the timing wasn’t right? Have you added something extra to the idea that will make it work? Either way, be as sure as you can that you have some realistic idea of the potential market size.
Also consider potential market entrants who may follow your lead. Just because a major existing player doesn’t do exactly what you are proposing, are there any obstacles preventing them launching a better-funded rival when they see what you are doing?
In short, you need to thoroughly research and road-test your idea. Better still, develop a comprehensive business plan to back up your hunch.
Once I take the leap, how can the right mindset help?
Not everyone wants to launch their own business or be a founder. But, as Steven Drost, chief strategy officer at Codebase, explains, you also don’t have to be some rare, genius entrepreneur to make a success of it. “Part of the accelerator logic,” he explains, “is that entrepreneurship is teachable. It’s not that once-in-a-generation business genius that has to do this.”
Should I go it alone or look for one or more co-founders?
There is no magic formula for being a successful founder. There is a lot of allegedly “evidence-based research” that teams of co-founders do better than solo founders. But look again and you’ll find similar claims for why solo founders do better. Claims that teams of founders are more likely to succeed than solo founders are often outdated. Technology and support networks, such as Barclays Eagle Labs, are stronger than ever, making it easier than ever to start “on your own” but surrounded by plenty of support.
Finding a good co-founder can make the startup journey more fun, less lonely and potentially less stressful. But at the same time, while working in a team means sharing responsibility, it may also require more compromise.
Our lesson on working with co-founders can help you make the decision on whether you need one, while also offering advice on where to find one if you feel you do and providing some ideas on how to structure potential co-working arrangements.
Why are the financial fundamentals so important?
Taking the leap into life as a founder requires ruthless financial discipline. And if you are giving up a steady job to take the leap, you need to be sure you will still be able to afford to live if your new business isn’t bringing in much revenue for a while. A lot of new ventures take time before they make sufficient revenue to pay the founder or founders a decent salary.
Even if you think you may be in a good position to raise investment, many investors don’t like to see funds being used to pay salaries and prefer their money be spent on longer term value creation in the business.
Starting something as a so-called “side-hustle”, something you work on alongside doing an existing job, is another possibility, but be aware that the less time you can put into your new venture, the longer it may take to get going.
Where, when and how you decide to take the founder’s leap is a major life moment, so it’s worth taking the time to weigh it up carefully.
Explore your business idea
Working with co-founders
How to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset
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