The 9-to-5 grind can make you feel like a just another cog in the corporate machine, constantly punching the clock for someone else's vision. One day, while dreaming of the world outside the cubicle, you have your big "Eureka!" moment-you've come across an idea so perfect that you need to start your own business around it.
Coming up with the idea is the easy part. Now, you're thrown into an entrepreneurial world where even the experience businessperson can feel overwhelmed by all the details.
It's hard to know where to even begin. So here are some tips to starting your own business:
- Craft a primitive budget: do you have enough capital to get this idea rolling? First things first, figure out roughly how much it'll cost you including all expenses, and where that money will be coming from. Call in favors from everyone you've even leant money to in the past in need be.
- Does the business world need you?: is there a large enough demand for your product? Ask around before even attempting to start your business-check with similar businesses in the area, or around the country. Find out how they started, and what kinds of clients they target, to get an idea of where you'll fit in the market.
- Create a strong management team: your team members should share your vision of the business, and a certain amount of proficiency and credibility. Rely on your connections to find the perfect people for the jobs that will bring their expertise to the business. Remember that you will eventually have to set aside your ego and let them control certain aspects of the company, so your have to feel comfortable around your management team.
- Start small: instead of immediately trying to market your product to 5,000 companies at once, focus on a few dozen specialized local companies to network with. This way you can call them each personally, mail them your marketing materials, and then arrange a meeting.
- Quality matters: you want to be able to set your self apart from all the other businesses similar to yours. Having an eye-catching yet simple to navigate web site and presentation material is key to succeeding in the modern business world. Creating quality marketing tools doesn't have to cost you a fortune either; consider hiring a design art or marketing student from a nearby university to help out. You never know, you could even meet your next Junior Executive.
- Come up with a good business plan: keep it less than 25 pages, and include information about your management team, who your customers as, and most importantly, why the world needs your business. At this stage in the game, don't over-focus on the financial side of things yet. A business plan outline can be found at http://www.sba.gov/starting_business/planning/basic.html.
For more tips, including an A-to-Z guide to starting your own business, and 21 ways to draw customers in, go to http://www.sba.gov/starting_business/planning/basic.html.
Jessica Klein is a member of the 'Mount Real Research Team', whose aim is to seek out and distribute business information to the virtual public. She is a freelance writer based in Montreal, Canada who loves writing about anything from accounting to zebras.
For more info about Mount Real, visit http://www.sba.gov/starting_business/planning/basic.html.
You're busy with your business today, aren't you?You're pushing your... Read More
Buckling under the weight of chronic corporate restructuring, and frustrated... Read More
Viral Marketing is allowing people to giveaway and use your... Read More
1. Make a clear, specific commitment to what you want.... Read More
Having business partner or planning to start a business with... Read More
Most people wish they read more. It is an activity... Read More
For most business owners and entrepreneurs, preparing, and communicating the... Read More
In my career, I have had a total of 3... Read More
Here are a few ideas to get you started, all... Read More
1. Locks and Padlocks ? Locks on all outside entrances... Read More
You have a great idea you know is a winner.... Read More
If you are thinking of starting a new business, or... Read More
It is possible for small companies and individual business people... Read More
Getting focused on what you want to achieve and creating... Read More
Ever lost a sale you thought was in the bag?... Read More
Do you plan events for the corporate world like product... Read More
Attraction marketing is about making a customer for life not... Read More
How many of us have been in a position where... Read More
The Ten Commandments of Goal Setting While it's good to... Read More
Does your business have a money tree you can shake... Read More
Do you know exactly what actions you need to do... Read More
In Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen's original "Chicken Soup... Read More
"Vision is the spectacular that inspires us to carry out... Read More
How do you increase business profits? Answer the following questions... Read More
Which one are you? An effective IT project manager, able... Read More
Mishawaka limo O'Hare ..Being appropriately dressed is essential in making good impressions in... Read More
In Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen's original "Chicken Soup... Read More
Who doesn't have issues with organizing their inbox!? I receive... Read More
We've heard numerous success stories of Internet entrepreneurs like Jeff... Read More
1. Think Big ? In college, Michael Dell said he... Read More
Almost daily, newspapers, business magazines, radio and television carry reports... Read More
10 Ways to Boost your ProfitabilitySo many business owners work... Read More
My husband and I were enjoying our dinner meal one... Read More
Ever lost a sale you thought was in the bag?... Read More
Many new coaches struggle to attract their first client. Often,... Read More
From an employee's perspective, management often conducts itself in ways... Read More
When sending mail to clients and potential clients, make your... Read More
We all know that running a home business is highly... Read More
The following tips are from an article we contributed to... Read More
With today's technology and people's need for more information it... Read More
Attraction marketing is about making a customer for life not... Read More
What would You do with $1,000,000With $1 Million would you:?... Read More
If you are like me, you are living some distance... Read More
1. Maintain regular working hours and stick to them.2. Get... Read More
While some new business owners face the issue of not... Read More
Does your business have a money tree you can shake... Read More
1. Admit there is a problem.The very first step in... Read More
The lack of strong boundaries is one of the chief... Read More
Do you want to be #1-10 on Google and other... Read More
1. Great Things Take Time ? Three years passed between... Read More
Top Quick Tips |