Becoming a small business owner can certainly be lucrative and fulfilling, but it's not for everybody. Some people are simply happier to be the employee, not the employer.

However, if you notice these three signs, it could mean you're ready to take the reins yourself and explore your options as a Shed Boss franchisee selling commercial sheds and other products.

It's on your mind… all the time

There's a big difference between idly thinking about what it would be like to be the boss and giving it serious thought on a near constant basis.

The latter indicates that running your own business isn't just a pipe dream, but a goal you might be ready to work toward. 

Taking the plunge into the small business world shouldn't be some whim that pops into your head after a tough day at the office, it should be something you've seriously considered for a long time.

You have a support system

Being the boss doesn't mean going it alone. 

In order to succeed, you'll need some type of support system. Whether it be enough savings to weather the bumpy first years that can come with starting a business to the support of your loved ones, you should ensure you have safety nets in place to help you along the way.

Shed Boss prides itself on providing franchisees with the independence they need to run their businesses their way. However, we're also on hand to offer support through things like training and specialised software to make running the business easier.

You're in it for the long haul

Becoming a small business owner isn't a get-rich-quick scheme.

It means putting in the long hours day after day to make your enterprise a success.

While a growing small business can certainly provide you with financial security, you need to go into it with your eyes wide open and a realistic attitude of what it takes to succeed.

Running a small business is hard work, but today's technological advancements have made it easier to organise and operate a business than ever before.

So whether it's your first time acting as the boss or you simply aren't familiar with modern computer technology, it's worth exploring what tools are available to help you out.

Rise to the cloud

Cloud storage allows you to save vital business documents online rather than on your computer or as paperwork. This can help you keep track of important business information while freeing up space in your physical premises as well as on your computer.

There's no shortage of popular cloud storage services, and some of the most basic are absolutely free.

Become part of the conversation

A giant billboard can be effective, but it's also expensive and old-fashioned. Today's business world is less about advertising and more about word-of-mouth. 

By creating a local presence through free social media networks like Facebook and Twitter, you can put your brand out there and have people begin to interact with your business in a more natural way.

This is especially helpful when trying to appeal to a younger generation of customers.

Manage projects easily

As a Shed Boss franchisee, you'll have plenty to keep track of. Each project will require the management of many details, from what type of custom designed shed is being built to which contractors are working on the job.

Instead of trying to stay up to date off the top of your head, you should think about investing in project management software. These products let your create goals, assign tasks and generally give you a bird's eye view of whatever project you're working on.

Technology can never replace good old-fashioned customer service and hard work, but there's no harm in letting your computer help with the heavy lifting.

Becoming a Shed Boss franchisee means being your own boss, but that doesn't mean you can do it all on your own. 

You'll need help, especially as your business grows, and this requires you to hire new talent. Unfortunately, picking the right employees can be easier said than done.

With that in mind, here are some characteristics you'll want to be on the lookout for.

Passion

Chances are you became a Shed Boss franchisee because you have a passion for building and a background in construction. While it's not absolutely necessary that all your employees are the same way, it pays to have people working for you who are just as passionate about the building industry and have knowledge that can help when it comes to barns, industrial sheds and the like.

Attitude

While knowledge of building is important, attitude can be even more vital when trying to run a business. You don't just want a smart, experienced employee, you want one who has a positive attitude.

Nothing turns customers off quite like a surly demeanour, and who wants to work with someone who is constantly negative? Ensure your workers make your business an upbeat place – you'll be happy you did.

Trustworthiness

It can be difficult to gauge someone's trustworthiness without first getting to know them, but it's definitely an attribute you'll want to focus on. 

After all, you'll often be trusting your employees with access to your money, products and other sensitive information and items. You deserve to have peace of mind instead of worrying if you can put your faith in someone.

While these are far from the only traits that matter in the business world, they can create the building blocks of a stellar employee – exactly what you need to make your Shed Boss franchise a success.

All businesses are the sum of many moving parts. And while large companies can compartmentalise different operations in separate departments, as a small business owner, you have to rely on yourself to make sure all the plates keep spinning.

With that in mind, it's important to remember that even the tiniest details can play a major part in the success of your business.

Fortunately, when selling commercial sheds, custom built patios and other products as a Shed Boss franchisee, you'll have the tools you need to keep track of the finer points.

Comprehensive records make it easy to operate

Trying to keep track of all the particulars can seem like a Herculean task. Luckily, there's no law that says you have to remember every little thing off the top of your head.

By investing in detailed records, you can always be up to date on where your business stands financially, as well as what challenges may be on the horizon.

Records can help you formulate plans and make overcoming potential obstacles easier. While working on your records may not be as fun as interacting with customers, it's just as essential to growing your business.

Technology can help

The days of writing everything down with pen and paper are long gone. There are various computer applications that can make keeping track of details more effective and efficient.

The same holds true for the products and services offered by Shed Boss franchises.

Developed exclusively for Shed Boss, the ShedBuilder software application is a user-friendly, all-in-one design and quoting solution that can make keeping track of the details even easier.

Meanwhile, our ShedManager software has been developed specifically with project management in mind.

From recording regular income to quoting prices for customers, business success comes down to making the details part of your business' bigger picture.

Starting your own business can feel like an uphill battle, especially in the very beginning. While Shed Boss can provide you with the support of the head office with set up, training and other factors relating to custom designed sheds, becoming a Shed Boss franchisee still requires a lot of hard graft.

With that in mind, focusing on a strong start can help your business get off the ground faster and make a successful business endeavour that much easier to achieve.

Focus on cash flow

Cash flow is always important for a business, but especially so in the very beginning. You may find that your expenses outweigh your income when your business is first starting, so planning ahead for this can make all the difference.

Taking out a small loan to have cash on hand or saving up a substantial amount for business expenses before embarking on your journey as a small business owner might be a good idea.

Don't underestimate expenses

When planning the first months of your business operations, it can be tempting to underestimate how much some things may cost. While you should definitely have an upbeat and optimistic attitude regarding your business endeavours, it's a much smarter strategy to overestimate expenses.

This way, you'll be prepared for high costs when budgeting and pleasantly surprised when you find you spent less than initially thought. After all, wouldn't you whether be leftover money than red ink in your ledger?

Take advantage of help

Shed Boss leaves you in control of your business, offering the independence you crave. At the same time, we also provide franchisees with the support they need to succeed. 

Don't be afraid to take full advantage of the help available to you, from sales training to the innovative ShedBuilder and ShedManager software applications.

A helping hand can be invaluable for a business, especially in the beginning.

There's no one set path to business success, but franchise owners tend to share some common traits.

Do you see these characteristics in yourself? If so, maybe becoming a franchise owner is the right choice for you.

Eager to learn

Coming on board as a franchisee means familiarising yourself not only with small business basics, but also the larger company you're now a part of.

At ShedBoss, we're committed to quality craftsmanship that shines through in our service every step of the way. It's important for our franchise owners to learn what separates our company culture from the competition, as well as understand how the ShedBoss difference can help them drive business success.

Franchise owners certainly have a leg up over other small-business owners when it comes to support, but it still requires a thirst to learn the ins and outs of a particular company.

Willing to compromise

Franchisees are the masters of their own domain, but at the end of the day, they are also part of a whole. This means it's sometimes necessary to put your own wishes aside to ensure you're in keeping with the overall ShedBoss culture.

There's a difference between being an entrepreneur and becoming a small-business owner, and it's important for franchisees to be willing to work together instead of focused solely on their own desires.

Dedicated to success

Working as a franchise owner means being able to count on the support and experience of the company, but it still requires hard work on your part.

Being dedicated to success means putting in the hours and planning ahead to ensure your ShedBoss franchise is operating at the highest level it can.

As any small-business owner can tell you, if you're not willing to put in the work, owning your own franchise might not be right for you.

Becoming a franchisee can be both rewarding and lucrative. However, it might not be for everybody.

Before you decide to enter the business world as a franchise representative, there are some keys questions you need to get answered.

What is the franchise model?

No two companies are alike, and even though owning a franchise gives you autonomy, at the end of the day, you're still a part of a bigger whole.

With this in mind, it's important to understand how the franchise you're considering is modelled. This means finding out what specific rules are in place to ensure consistency between services, products and brand. This may also include things like opportunity for expansion.

Every company will have its own special franchise model in place, so make sure yours suits you before signing on the dotted line.

What are the costs of the franchise?

Becoming a franchise owner is one of the simplest ways to run your own business and be your own boss. However, even though it can be much more affordable than starting a business from scratch, it will still cost money.

Make sure you understand all the costs associated with running your franchise, from rent to account fees and everything in between. Additionally, keep in mind the cost of hiring employees, such as liability and workers' compensation insurance.

What kind of support will your franchise receive?

Different companies may be more hands on than others, so it's important to know what kind of support you can count on from the home office for your store.

For instance, will the company offer training and professional development courses to help you stay up to date on the latest products and business techniques? Chances are you'll want to be a franchisee who can depend on ongoing support while also maintaining your freedom.

Investing in custom designed sheds comes with many benefits, but the most important generally have to do with the suitability and flexibility of custom designs. After all, there's no point in building custom designed sheds if they don't deliver what you're looking for.

The right space for the right job

How you plan on using your custom designed shed should determine its size and shape.

For instance, commercial sheds used to store equipment will likely have different requirements than sheds used as workspaces.

Other building considerations, such as doors, windows and ventilation, will also need to be taken into account. With custom design, you can ensure you have the right space for the right job. This is part of the ShedBoss difference.

Built for your site

In addition to how the shed will be used, it's vital to ensure your custom designed sheds are suited to your building site.

Different sites will come with unique building requirements, influenced by everything from local regulations to the slope of the land.

The talented designers at ShedBoss will work with you every step of the way to make sure your commercial sheds not only fit how you plan to use them, but where they will be constructed.

Great-looking appearance

While practicality is likely at the forefront of your mind, there's nothing stopping you from building sheds that are attractive as well as functional.

Here at ShedBoss, we're dedicated to quality craftsmanship. This means constructing custom designed sheds that will not only stand the test of time, but also add value through appearance.

Part of this is our commitment to using only premium-quality materials. Another factor is our devotion to working with clients every step of the way, from design to construction. This ensures you're always up to date on how the finished product will turn out.

Business owners around Australia should take note of data coming out of the City of Melbourne.

The Victorian capital reported on March 28 that extreme heat experienced over a three-day period in mid-January cost businesses $37 million in lost revenue. This was partly blamed on discomfort, lack of motivation and reduced morale due to heat.

Meanwhile, 62 per cent of the 600 local businesses surveyed said they had to deal with extra operational costs, such as increased air-conditioning.

Finally, more than half of businesses (52 per cent) said they were very or fairly concerned about how future heat waves may impact their business.

For its part, the city said it was undertaking plans to reduce the problems associated with heat waves.

"We're doubling tree canopy cover for our urban forest, upgrading drainage infrastructure, funding more energy efficient buildings, implementing planning processes to minimise climate risk and installing various water-sensitive urban design initiatives," City of Melbourne Environment Portfolio Chair and Councillor Arron Wood said.

"Heatwaves don't only impact our city economically, heat related illness also kills more Australian's each year than any other natural disaster so City of Melbourne has identified this as a priority issue we must prepare better for.

While growing trees for extra shade cover is all well and good, many businesses across Australia can't simply plant a shade tree in front of their shop and hope for the best.

In these cases, investing in outdoor awnings can be a great way to reduce heat and save on energy costs.

Window awnings can reduce solar heat, lessening the discomfort of both employees and customers inside your building. They can also help you save on power bills by lessening the need for air conditioning.

Come see examples and talk to the awning experts at your nearest ShedBoss outlet.