start off
US /stɑːrt ˈɔːf/
UK /stɑːrt ˈɔːf/

1.
2.
начинать, зарождаться
to have a particular quality or characteristic at the beginning of a period or process
:
•
The new employee started off with great enthusiasm.
Новый сотрудник начал с большим энтузиазмом.
•
The company started off as a small family business.
Компания начинала как небольшой семейный бизнес.