Opening up a business?

as anyone got any advice? i would like to set up my own business in the future but haven't got a clue where to start.
Additional Details
i know what kind of business i want. answers from people who know what they are talking about plz

1. Define your business first. What do you want to do? Make a list of possible businesses you can develop and write the pros and cons of each. Clarify your business model.

2. Check the feasibility of the business idea. Is it workable? Given your resources, do you think there's a chance?

3. Once you've determined exactly what business to start, research about the business -- how much will it take you to start the business, what do you need, who are doing it, who is your target market, how are you going to reach your market. This is your business plan. It is best to put it in writing, especially if you will be seeking loans or investors as they will require a business plan

4. Find out how much the business will cost and where you can get the money. If your resources are not enough, where will you get money? Can you get money elsewhere? If you really cannot raise the funds you need, are you willing to downscale the idea?

5. Decide if this is a business that can be done alone by you, or whether you will need a partner or you will hire employees. Aside from you, who else will be involved in the business?

6. Once you find out that you can really raise the capital you need and the personnel requirements, setup your business. Decide if you want to be a sole proprietor, partnership, LLC, S or C corporation.

7. Go to your local county to find out the steps for business registration, assumed name or DBA, and whether the business will require a license or not. Or check the Web for information on starting a business in your state, specifically from your state or local government websites. Then complete all legal and regulatory requirements.

8. Start the process of setting up the business. If this is a website, then start thinking of its contents, who will design the site, who will manage the site. If this is a restaurant, start looking for location. If this is a recipe book, start contacting agents and publishers or look into the option of self publishing.

9. Set up your office, whether at home or if you will lease an office space. Purchase the equipment you need.

10. Start developing your marketing materials such as business cards, brochures, flyers.

It may help you if you could talk with a small business expert or free mentors to give you ideas on how to make your dream of starting a business come true. Here are some places where you can find a mentor:

- Government Mentoring Programs such as SBDCs, which works with community colleges and local business development councils to offer mentoring programs http://www.sba.gov/sbdc/sbdcnear.html ; or the Women's Network for Entrepreneurial Training http://www.sba.gov/womeninbusiness/wnet_roundtables.html
- Volunteer programs such as SCORE http://www.score.org which is composed of mostly retired executives and entrepreneurs
- Formal mentoring programs such as Athena Foundation http://www.athenafoundation.org/programs/globallinks.html , Helzberg Entrepreneurial Mentoring Program http://www.helzbergmentoring.org/HEMP/ , or The Aspen Institute MicroMentor Program http://www.micromentor.org
- Professional organizations such as the National Womenâ€™s Business Council http://www.nwbc.gov/Mentoring/programs.html
- Industry and trade associations
- Local business groups, such as the chamber of commerce
- Local chapters of business groups

You may also want to check the following books:

- What No One Ever Tells You About Starting Your Own Business: Real Life Start-Up Advice from 101 Successful Entrepreneurs http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1574101129/ref=nosim/powerhomebizguid
- If You're Clueless About Starting Your Own Business and Want to Know More http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1574100939/ref=nosim/powerhomebizguid
- Start Your Own Business : The Only Start-Up Book You'll Ever Need http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1891984217/ref=nosim/powerhomebizguid
- Steps to Small Business Start-Up : Everything You Need to Know to Turn Your Idea into a Successful Business http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1574101323/ref=nosim/powerhomebizguid

If you know what kind of business you want, then the first thing is to talk to people in that business. How did they get started? What attracted them to that business? What is their favorite thing about that business? What were some obsticles they had to overcome? Who do they recommend for you to speak with? People in your area might not want to talk as much as someone who does not perceive you as competition.

Second, you need to find out basic operating costs. If you are selling something, what are the cost of goods? For any business, what is the payroll costs based on how many employees you need and average rate of pay (be sure to include payroll taxes)? How much is rent (be sure to include CAM charges)? How much do you need to spend on advertising? How much liquid cash do you have available right now? Operating costs vary greatly depending on the type of business so it is important to talk to the right people. The more accurate you are, the better you will be prepared and the better chance you business has.

Third, build a reasonable business plan based on the operating costs. Another important piece of information is knowing an accurate sales index and inventory plan. These greatly affect cash flow which will make or break a business. Once you have a good business plan, you can apply for an SBA loan. Look to see if you qualify for a lower interest loan based on things such as: Are you a veteran? Are you a woman? Are you a single mom? Are you a minority? etc. You would be surprised what is out there.

Any Business Start-Up

The requirements to a successful
business: Map out a plan. Ask
questions. Will your product or service
be received well? Don't start a business
with a, single, doubt. Set goals for
the business, in two years? Five years?
Do you have enough to finance it? It's
best to have more than the cost of your
business. An emergency fund? Why
are you starting a business?

hi, i think it's great you are thinking ahead and asking for advice before you start in business! i work in the advice sector, work as a business mentor and also have my own businesses.

here are my top 5 pieces of business advice:

1) make use of the free advice available!
business advisors from business link are excellent, and if you have a question they can't answer they will go away and find it for you or tell you of someone who can help http://www.businesslink.gov.uk
join online forums such as http://www.uksmallbusinessfocus.co.uk/index.php/forums for advice from like-minded people
get a business mentor if you can in your area, search for enterprise agencies in your area on this site http://www.nfea.com/index.htm?page=find_lea.htm

2) get the free start a business toolkit from shell live wire (for people aged 16-30) http://www.shell-livewire.org/

3) what ever business idea you have make sure you get a copy of the cobweb business opportunity profile for that business - they tell you who your customers are likely to be, how to market/promote the business, the laws in that area, what you'll need to set up and any training etc you'd need. you can search for the ones you need here http://www.scavenger.net/home.php and business link can give you a copy for free.

4) marketing and advertising are different!
marketing is about getting your message across to potential customers and involves many aspects, advertising is just one way of marketing your business and is usually the most expensive! try to be creative in letting people know your business exists - tell everyone you know and tell them to tell their friends and family, when you meet new people let them know, get low cost marketing cards, flyers etc to hand out, promote your business through social networking sites and internet forums for free!
try signing up to Chris Cardell's free VIP e-newsletter, it's full of creative ideas to promote your business and he's very inspiring! http://www.cardellmedia.com/

5) write a business plan (and possibly a marketing plan too) for your business.
this basic guide on writing a business plan is a good place to start http://www.princes-trust.org.uk/Main%20Site%20v2/downloads/BusGuide_BusinessPlan.pdf
then use the websites above to help you create one - don't just use a template given to you by someone, or if you do find a good template don't be afraid to change it to fit the needs of your own business.

I wish you all the best of success with you new business venture. Rebecca x

you might want to decide what type of business

First thing to do is make a business plan and then check out the free resources from the sba, small business association. They will show you were to start. Good luck!

First thing to do is make a spreadsheet to see if your business proposition is a runner or not. Most aren't. Make sure you include all your overheads as well as direct costs, plus a contingency for things you haven't thought of because you don't have a clue. ;-)

Try putting sales = 0 in the spreadsheet and see how long you could survive.

Bear in mind that any business plan is a work of fiction, because you have no idea what your sales will be.

I would advise investing in a copy of The Business Plan Workbook, by Barrow, Barrow and Brown, or something similar.

Bear in mind that most new businesses fail within one or two years.

Good luck!

Miss park,

There is no mean to own business in morally. Because, even small business take place b/w two individuals, groups, associations, companies. Before, decide about the company, product etc. check your locality, city or by your education, profession, Product which has a demend in long term etc...etc. Meet and discuss with your family, friends and experienced and people who defeat in their business.also.Because all the success and failure is two sides of the business. Go with confidence. Best of Luck : )

well there are so many options out there to get you started,

i did it
i've opened up my own business and i'm only 18 (www.purpleavenue.co.uk - my business)

you definatley needabusiness plan thats crucial

good luck

If you are interested in equine business, you can start selling on internet of equestrian products. And I can help you to provide the goods and internet selling info.

I'm sharing with you this article I wrote, I know it can help you get business ideas, and how to begin selling your business online!! Don't understimate the online market to promote yourself once you begin...Please vote for the article in the top corner on the starts if it helps you . You can leave me comments too. Thanks to you and hope this helps you a little more. Here is the address:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/824783/how_to_make_money_online_part_i.html?cat=59

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