what are the steps in order to start a small business or open a store?
380497
Starting a small business takes a lot of courage. But, as they say, courage does not pay the bills. To be successful – to stay in business – you need more than courage. You need a combination of hard work, skill, perseverance, and lots of luck. \n\nSome things you need to consider:\n- "How can I support my family while I build up by business?" \n- "What are my abilities?" \n- "Is there a market for the product or service I have chosen?" \n- "How long will it take this business to reach the financial goal I have?" \n\nYou may want to read the article "How to Start a New Business Successfully" http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol51/launch.htm , which lists six steps to launch a new business successfully:\n\n1. Provide a benefit.\n2. Determine the fit with your market.\n3. Right timing is everything\n4. Be ready to support your business\n5. Develop a blueprint for success\n6. Market, market, market\n\nI recommend that you read the following books:\n\n- What No One Ever Tells You About Starting Your Own Business : Real Life Start-Up Advice from 101 Successful Entrepreneurs \n- Starting From Scratch: How To Start A Business When You Don't Have Money \n- If You're Clueless About Starting Your Own Business and Want to Know More \n- On the Move : How to Succeed and Survive As an Entrepreneur \n- How to Make 1000 Mistakes in Business and Still Succeed \n\nThere is so much to learn about starting a business that it is hard to put everything here. I suggest that you to check out the following websites and learn from their content:\n\nEntrepreneur http://www.entrepreneur.com\nInc.com http://www.inc.com\nSBA http://www.sba.gov/starting_business/\nPowerHomeBiz.com http://www.powerhomebiz.com
1173364
The best routes to take are to research the process of starting a business as well as the industry you're interested in.\n\nI recommend checking out the SBA, Entrepreneur, The Start Up Journal & Nolo. All 4 are great informational resources for the new/small business owner. I posted links for you in the source box.\n\nAssociations may be a good avenue to explore as well. These organizations will address many of the thoughts, questions and concerns you'll inevitably have as well as many you haven't anticipated yet. See the source box for some relevant links. \n\nResearch, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can about the industry. Here are some book titles that are relevant:\n\n* Specialty Shop Retailing: How to Run Your Own Store Revised by Carol L. Schroeder\n* The Small Business Owner's Manual: Everything You Need To Know To Start Up And Run Your Business by Joe Kennedy\n* How to Get Rich in the Service Station Business by Edward R. O'Donnell\n\nHope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!
1100910
The best routes to take are to research the process of starting a business as well as the industry you're interested in.\n\nI recommend checking out the SBA, Entrepreneur, The Start Up Journal & Nolo. All 4 are great informational resources for the new/small business owner. I posted links for you in the source box.\n\nAssociations may be a good avenue to explore as well. These organizations will address many of the thoughts, questions and concerns you'll inevitably have as well as many you haven't anticipated yet. See the source box for some relevant links. \n\nResearch, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can. Here are some book titles that are relevant:\n\nBusiness Startup Specific:\n* How to Really Start Your Own Business, Fourth Edition by David E. Gumpert\n* How to Really Create a Successful Business Plan: Step-by-Step Guide by David E. Gumpert\n* What No One Ever Tells You about Starting Your Own Business: Real-Life Start-Up Advice from 101 Successful Entrepreneurs (What No One Ever Tells You About Starting Your Own Business) by Jan Norman \n* Business Start-Up Kit by Steven D. Strauss \n* Start Your Own Business (Entrepreneur Magazine's Start Up) by Rieva Lesonsky\n\nE-Commerce Specific:\n* Starting an Online Business For Dummies, 4th Edition by Greg Holden\n* How to Start and Maintain A Successful Online Business by Kelly Thornton\n* The Complete E-Commerce Book: Design, Build, and Maintain a Successful Web-Based Business by Janice Reynolds\n\nRetail Specific:\n* Start and Run a Profitable Retail Business by Jim Dion, Ted Topping\n* Retail Business Kit for Dummies by Rick Segel \n* Specialty Shop Retailing: How to Run Your Own Store Revised by Carol L. Schroeder\n* So You Want To Own The Store: Secrets to Running a Successful Retail Operation by Mort Brown\n\nThere are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.\n\nHope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!
569595
Starting a small business takes a lot of courage. But, as they say, courage does not pay the bills. To be successful – to stay in business – you need more than courage. You need a combination of hard work, skill, perseverance, and lots of luck. \n\nSome things you need to consider:\n- "How can I support my family while I build up by business?" \n- "What are my abilities?" \n- "Is there a market for the product or service I have chosen?" \n- "How long will it take this business to reach the financial goal I have?" \n\nYou may want to read the article "How to Start a New Business Successfully" http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol51/launch.htm , which lists six steps to launch a new business successfully:\n\n1. Provide a benefit.\n2. Determine the fit with your market.\n3. Right timing is everything\n4. Be ready to support your business\n5. Develop a blueprint for success\n6. Market, market, market\n\nI suggest you read the article "10 Things You Need to Know When Starting Your Own Small Business" http://www.powerhomebiz.com/052006/startingbiz.htm which lists the important things you need to know when you are starting a business. \n\nI recommend that you read the following books:\n\n- What No One Ever Tells You About Starting Your Own Business : Real Life Start-Up Advice from 101 Successful Entrepreneurs \n- Starting From Scratch: How To Start A Business When You Don't Have Money \n- If You're Clueless About Starting Your Own Business and Want to Know More \n- On the Move : How to Succeed and Survive As an Entrepreneur \n- How to Make 1000 Mistakes in Business and Still Succeed\n\nTo market your product, here are some tips:\n\n1. Direct mail. Prepare a well-crafted brochure and send it to your target markets in Sunnyvale. Find a vendor in your area renting mailing lists of business establishments or take the time and go over the yellow pages and get their contact information. You can read more of how to use direct marketing strategies here http://www.powerhomebiz.com/marketing/direct.htm\n\n2. Publicity. Publicity can oftentimes be more effective than advertising. Not only is it cost-effective (oftentimes you are paying for nothing), but also people are apt to remember an article about your business rather than advertising. People find a write-up or special feature about a business more credible and objective than a paid advertising. Publicity also reaches a wider audience: if you are lucky, the national media might even pick up your story. Contact an editor of your local newspaper and pitch your story. Read the article "Leverage the Power of Publicity for Your Small Business" \nhttp://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol27/leverage.htm\n\n3. Press releases. Send out press releases through your local newspapers about your business. Whether it is about your story or about a sale you are offering, press releases can be very good exposure for you. You can read more about how to harness press releases for your business here http://www.powerhomebiz.com/marketing/public%20relations.htm\n\n4. Use the Internet. The Web can be your online brochure. You can use it to refer your potential clients for more information about your business; and it could also generate clients for you directly. Some of your potential clients may be looking to the Web for a floral designer, and you need to have a strong presence there as well.\n\n5. Network. Join and be active in your local business organizations, chamber of commerce, etc. Increase your visibility in the community. You can find more information on networking here http://www.powerhomebiz.com/marketing/networking.htm\n\n6. Word of mouth. This is the best form of advertising for your business - afterall, it is free. Read "Secrets of Word Of Mouth Marketing" http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol154/wordofmouth.htm
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The best routes to take are to research the process of starting a business as well as the industry you're interested in.\n\nI recommend checking out the SBA, Entrepreneur, The Start Up Journal & Nolo. All 4 are great informational resources for the new/small business owner. I posted links for you in the source box.\n\nAssociations may be a good avenue to explore as well. These organizations will address many of the thoughts, questions and concerns you'll inevitably have as well as many you haven't anticipated yet. Type "(your industry) associations" into any search engine & sites will pop up.\n\nResearch, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can. Here are some book titles that are relevant:\n\n* How to Really Start Your Own Business, Fourth Edition by David E. Gumpert\n* How to Really Create a Successful Business Plan: Step-by-Step Guide by David E. Gumpert\n* What No One Ever Tells You about Starting Your Own Business: Real-Life Start-Up Advice from 101 Successful Entrepreneurs (What No One Ever Tells You About Starting Your Own Business) by Jan Norman \n* Business Start-Up Kit by Steven D. Strauss \n* Start Your Own Business (Entrepreneur Magazine's Start Up) by Rieva Lesonsky\n\nThere are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.\n\nHope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!
903260
To get started, I suggest contacting the Small Business Administration Financing Page (SBA) – links below. Entrepreneur also offers a great site dedicated to money & finance – see below.\n\nResearch, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can. Here are some book titles that are relevant:\n\n* Free Money for Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs by Laurie Blum\n* Finding Money: The Small Business Guide to Financing (Small Business Series) by Kate Lister, Tom Harnish\n* Financing Your Business Dreams With Other People's Money: How and Where to Find Money for Start-Up and Growing Businesses by Harold R. Lacy\n* No Cash No Fear: Entrepreneurial Secrets to Starting Any Business with No Money by Terry Allen\n* Starting on a Shoestring: Building a Business Without a Bankroll by Arnold S. Goldstein\n\nThere are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.\n\nHope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!
1178692
consider all options. don't play safe\nsetting up a business is a huge responsibility\n\nTo look into\n\n1. Business plan\n2. Business marketing plan\n3. Financial plan / Start-up loan\n\nHave you checked to make sure your business name is available?; Have you registered your business?; Have you checked and registered your trademark?; Do you need a business licence?;Have you got insurance?;Do you have a business account?; Do you have an accountant?; Have you created a budget?; Can you get to the phone and electrical sockets easily?; Will your furniture fit in the space?; Do you have sufficient light and ventilation?; What is the temperature like in the office?; Do you have enough storage?; Have you all the equipment that you need?; Computers, telephone, fax machine, printer, scanner, etc...?\n\nWould you invest in all that or would you for an alternative like say, a virtual office?
916748
I work at setting up small businesses, and I need to let you know that what your listed (inventory, wholesales, etc) are not the things you need to do first. \n\nFirst, you need to come up with a business name and open up a business entity. This will tell the government that you're opening a business, make you legal, guarantee that no one else can have your name, and give you an EIN/tax number. \n\nOnce you've done that, go open a bank account under the name of your business. Once of the biggest mistakes small business owners do is to use their personal money to start the business. Open the bank account, get a business credit card, and a business loan. (You will probably need a business plan to qualify for the loan.) \n\nOnce that is all done, find out the specifics of where you'll get your supplies from.
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I suggest you start by reading more about how to start a bookstore business:\n\n- How To Start & Manage A Bookstore Business: A Practical Way To Start Your Own Business by Jerre G. Lewis, Leslie D. Renn\n- FabJob Guide to Become a Bookstore Owner -- by Grace Jasmine\n\nYou also need to start lining up your suppliers for your bookstore. For starters, create an account with Ingram Books http://www.ingrambook.com/new/booksellers.asp - they are the largest book wholesalers today.\n\nStarting a small business takes a lot of courage. But, as they say, courage does not pay the bills. To be successful – to stay in business – you need more than courage. You need a combination of hard work, skill, perseverance, and lots of luck. \n\nSome things you need to consider:\n- "How can I support my family while I build up by business?" \n- "What are my abilities?" \n- "Is there a market for the product or service I have chosen?" \n- "How long will it take this business to reach the financial goal I have?" \n\nYou may want to read the article "How to Start a New Business Successfully" http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol51/launch.htm , which lists six steps to launch a new business successfully:\n\n1. Provide a benefit.\n2. Determine the fit with your market.\n3. Right timing is everything\n4. Be ready to support your business\n5. Develop a blueprint for success\n6. Market, market, market\n\nI recommend that you read the following books:\n\n- What No One Ever Tells You About Starting Your Own Business : Real Life Start-Up Advice from 101 Successful Entrepreneurs \n- Starting From Scratch: How To Start A Business When You Don't Have Money \n- If You're Clueless About Starting Your Own Business and Want to Know More \n- On the Move : How to Succeed and Survive As an Entrepreneur \n- How to Make 1000 Mistakes in Business and Still Succeed\n\nThere is so much to learn about starting a business that it is hard to put everything here. I suggest that you to check out the following websites and learn from their content:\n\nEntrepreneur http://www.entrepreneur.com\nInc.com http://www.inc.com\nSBA http://www.sba.gov/starting_business/\nPowerHomeBiz.com http://www.powerhomebiz.com
250983
1. Think what business you'd like to do. Determine what you want to do, and whether it is profitable to do. Will it be a Web business or will you open a Main Street store, or both? Will you sell a product or service? \n2. Prepare a business plan - even if you are not planning to apply for a loan. It can help you think through your business, make you assess the market, let you know how tough competition is out there, and allow you to calculate your expected profit and when you can breakeven. A business plan is your GPS guide to your destination.\n3. Get your financing ready, whether you will get the funds from your bank account or find investors.\n4. Once you have the money, get the ball rolling. Start with making the decision on your business legal structure, then get all the necessary business licenses and permits. Then work on the business name, location, logo, insurance, etc.\n\nSome recommended articles:\n\nHow to Launch a New Business Successfully http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol51/launch.htm\nHow to Build a Business from Scratch http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol18/scratch.htm\n5 Questions to Ask Before Starting a Business http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol139/questions.htm
139037
That depends on where that business is established. (For example you can make a Business consultation firm in a big city but it will be stupid to do that in a small town with very little or no companies at all).\n\nMoreover, are you referring only to products or services are welcome as well. You can import products or offer services that you are familiar with or passionated about (for example if your hobby is bowling you can open a bowling center in your area, or if you are a haircutter you can start importing a professional hairstyling brand).\n\nThere is no magic solution for anyone to start his/her own business… Each answer just like every business is different according to the needs and wants of one.\n\nYou need to find out what is missing in your region or area and provide it. Try to sell something unique or differentiated if you want to succeed.
527499
Starting a small business takes a lot of courage. But, as they say, courage does not pay the bills. To be successful – to stay in business – you need more than courage. You need a combination of hard work, skill, perseverance, and lots of luck. \n\nSome things you need to consider:\n- "How can I support my family while I build up by business?" \n- "What are my abilities?" \n- "Is there a market for the product or service I have chosen?" \n- "How long will it take this business to reach the financial goal I have?" \n\nYou may want to read the article "How to Start a New Business Successfully" http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol51/launch.htm , which lists six steps to launch a new business successfully:\n\n1. Provide a benefit.\n2. Determine the fit with your market.\n3. Right timing is everything\n4. Be ready to support your business\n5. Develop a blueprint for success\n6. Market, market, market\n\nI recommend that you read the following books:\n\n- What No One Ever Tells You About Starting Your Own Business : Real Life Start-Up Advice from 101 Successful Entrepreneurs \n- Starting From Scratch: How To Start A Business When You Don't Have Money \n- If You're Clueless About Starting Your Own Business and Want to Know More \n- On the Move : How to Succeed and Survive As an Entrepreneur \n- How to Make 1000 Mistakes in Business and Still Succeed \n\nAs for grants, it is hard to find grants to start a business. Unlike the myths that some perpetuate, federal government and even private foundations hardly give grant money for a for-profit business. And yes, grants mean PAPERWORK - lots and lots of it, that is why a cottage industry of grant writers was born.\n\nNonetheless, you can go to the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) http://www.cfda.gov and Grants.gov http://www.grants.gov - these are two sites created by the federal government to provide transparency and information on grants. Browse through the listings and see if you can find any grant that would support a for-profit venture.\n\nEven if you buy books on "how to get grants" or list that supposedly has information on grants -- all of them are mere rehash of what CFDA has, albeit packaged differently. But still the info is the same - hardly any grants for starting a for profit business.\n\nEven SBA does NOT give out grants. From the SBA website http://www.sba.gov/expanding/grants.html \n\n"The U.S. Small Business Administration does not offer grants to start or expand small businesses, although it does offer a wide variety of loan programs. (See http://www.sba.gov/financing for more information) While SBA does offer some grant programs, these are generally designed to expand and enhance organizations that provide small business management, technical, or financial assistance. These grants generally support non-profit organizations, intermediary lending institutions, and state and local governments."\n\nHere is a listing of federal grants for small businesses. See if there is any available for individuals for starting a business -- THERE'S NONE.\nhttp://12.46.245.173/pls/portal30/CATALOG.BROWSE_BENEF_RPT.show\n\nMost of the federal grants are given to specific target groups with specific requirements (e.g. minority business owners involved in transportation related contracts emanating from DOT - Grant#20.905 Disadvantaged Business Enterprises Short Term Lending Program \n\nGrants are also often given to non profit groups or organizations involved in training or other similar activities (grant 59.043 Women's Business Ownership Assistance that are given to those who will create women's business center that will train women entrepreneurs \n\nFor private grants, you may want to check the Foundation Center's Foundation Grants for Individuals Online. It's a subscription based website ($9.95 per month) but their opening blurb only says that the database is ideal for "stud
268758
The simplest way to answer this is to see a need and fill it. \nThere are many different kinds of businesses out there \n( Large Corporations, small businesses, Franchises etc.). If you want to start your own, my suggestion is to take a Entrepreneur class at a local community college. It is not necessary but it will give you a good overall view of what may be ahead and answer alot of questions. \n\n1. have an idea on paper, write it all out, think it all the way thru, is it a service or a product? Will you make it yourself? resale? Who is your competition? and so on.\n\n2.Write down who your customers will be and why they will go to you rather than someone else.\n\n3.Do research on the area you think will be good to market in or set up shop. (surveys, cold calling, demographics,etc)\n\n4.If there is someone who is doing what you would like to, call and ask them politely if they would spend an hour or so to help you with your research. Come prepared with a good list of questions and be ready to do most of the listening. (AND MAKE SURE THEY ARE AT LEAST 40 MILES AWAY FROM WHERE YOU ARE THINKING OF LOCATING AS TO NOT COME ACROSS AS THEIR COMPETITION)\n\n5. The most important thing to remember is ** LOCATION **. As it is the second reason businesses fail. (the #1 reason they fail is poor money management)\n\n6. You will need to apply for a business license and place an newspaper ad with a ficticious business name. It is also a good idea to become incorporated, the tax benefits are well worth it.\n\n7. Make sure you weigh the pros and cons of being a business owner and that is it something you really want to do.\n\nAs for the best business is concerned, it should be one you have a passion for.
1094650
The best routes to take are to research the process of starting a business as well as the industry you're interested in.\n\nI recommend checking out the SBA, Entrepreneur, The Start Up Journal & Nolo. All 4 are great informational resources for the new/small business owner. I posted links for you in the source box.\n\nAssociations may be a good avenue to explore as well. These organizations will address many of the thoughts, questions and concerns you'll inevitably have as well as many you haven't anticipated yet. See the source box for some relevant links. \n\nResearch, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can. Here are some book titles that are relevant:\n\n* Start and Run a Money-Making Bar by Bruce Fier\n* Upstart Guide Owning & Managing Bar or Tavern by Roy S. Alonzo\n* Start Your Own Bar and Tavern (Entrepreneur Magazine's Start Ups) by Entrepreneur Press \n* The Food Service Professionals Guide to Bar & Beverage Operation: Ensuring Maximum Success by Chris Parry\n\nThere are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.\n\nHope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!
751024
You need to go to college and take business classes to start. You need a job and save your money so you can purchase the building and equipment. Never rely on others to full fill your dream. It only takes YOU and your hard work and determination.
292240
I suggest you check out the following websites that could help you in starting a new business. These websites contain lots of useful advice and information in starting a new business:\n\nEntrepreneur http://www.entrepreneur.com\nInc.com http://www.inc.com\nSBA http://www.sba.gov/starting_business/\nPowerHomeBiz.com http://www.powerhomebiz.com\n\nYou may also want to check the following books:\n\n- 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 \n- 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 \n- Start Your Own Business : The Only Start-Up Book You'll Ever Need  http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1891984217/ref=nosim/powerhomebizguid \n- 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\n\nI have also written a 173-page ebook called "Checklist for Starting a Small Business" http://www.powerhomebiz.com/Index/checklist.htm that is meant to be a guide for those starting their own businesses. It starts with determining if you have what it takes to be an entrepreneur to financing your business to managing its growth.
1031049
The best routes to take are to research the process of starting a business as well as the industry you're interested in.\n\nI recommend checking out the SBA, Entrepreneur, The Start Up Journal & Nolo. All 4 are great informational resources for the new/small business owner. I posted links for you in the source box.\n\nAssociations may be a good avenue to explore as well. These organizations will address many of the thoughts, questions and concerns you'll inevitably have as well as many you haven't anticipated yet. See the source box for some relevant links. \n\nResearch, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can about the industry. Here are some book titles that are relevant:\n\n* Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business (Entrepreneur Magazine's Start Up) by Entrepreneur Press \n* How To Start And Run A Small Book Publishing Company: A Small Business Guide To Self-Publishing And Independent Publishing by Peter I. Hupalo \n* Art & Science Of Book Publishing by Herbert S., Jr. Bailey \n* This Business of Books: A Complete Overview of the Industry from Concept Through Sales by Claudia Suzanne\n\nI also posted links to some free articles in the source box.\n \nHope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!