A) SETUP & GO!
Where do I start?
Check your business plan & follow it. (That's what it's for!)
Firstly where are you going to get the money to start your business?
Bank loan, family, friends, savings, etc...
Place of business, Tools, Equipment & Materials!
Purchase these carefully. Check your business plan & work from that.
Get Advertising!
Word of mouth is the biggest & best way to advertise & it's FREE! So tell all your friends & family.
Business cards are great to hand out when you tell someone about your business & attach them to all your letters.
Get out and drop some flyers in mail boxes or if it's an online business get emailing!
Put up posters &/or you can even look into radio & TV advertising!
NOTE: Add an opening date for your business & maybe an opening special offer on the flyers to get customers attention.
You've got your products &/or services now it's time to open the doors & start selling!
Go for it!
A. RESEARCH
What should I research?
I) Me!
Research yourself to make sure you are ready to be your own boss.
Can I work alone and motivate myself?
How much time can I give to my business?
Where will I get an income form while starting my business?
II) Competition
Check out similar businesses, there locations, what they offer, prices, business names & logos.
III) Uniqueness
Find out what it is that's unique about each competitor.
Is it prices, location, products &/or services?
Now What?
A. WRITE A BUSINESS PLAN
What is a busienss plan?
It's a document of aims and goals for your business with details about how the aims & goals will be reached.
NOTE: A business doesn't plan to fail but fails to plan!
Business plans can be changed at any time. They are written to guide you in operating your business.
What's in a business plan?
The headings include;
Business Details, eg: business name, location, ownership, mission statement, etc...
Products/Services, eg: prices, product/service details, etc...
Fincial Details, eg: cash flow, income, expenses, prices, etc...
Advertising, eg: types, costs, where, when, etc...
Sales, eg: how many, to who, when, etc...
How do I write a business plan?
You can do it with pen and paper or on a computer.
Check out these sites for some free business plan templates or check out your local library for any books about writting businesss palans.
