From the category archives:

Getting Started

Questions You Need to Answer Before Starting a Business

Thumbnail image for Questions You Need to Answer Before Starting a Business February 26, 2010

People are often so anxious to try out their idea for starting a business that they don’t think about what it really will take to fulfill their dream. Before you make the leap, sit down and do a self-assessment. Make a list of the things you love to do. It doesn’t matter what they are [...]

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Early Cash Flow – The Secret to Business Success

Thumbnail image for Early Cash Flow – The Secret to Business Success February 11, 2010

Lots of new businesses fail because the owners don’t take into account how long it takes to start bringing in any money at all, let alone enough dough to keep themselves and their business going. Why does this happen?
The Problem – Too Much Time
New and even experienced business owners often don’t realize that there [...]

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What’s The Mission of a Mission Statement?

Thumbnail image for What’s The Mission of a Mission Statement? December 14, 2009

A mission statement is a handy thing to have for any type of small, home or micro business. Its job simply is to state what you are trying to do with your business. It looks at the here and now. It doesn’t get all dreamy eyed about hopes and aspirations, like a vision statement can. [...]

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Do You Really Need a Vision for Your Small Business?

December 12, 2009
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Business start-up coaches and experts tell us a small business needs to have a vision statement else it will be lost, without direction. With a vision statement a business owner has the a map for success which can inspire, energize and paint a bold picture of where to take the business in the future. Business [...]

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Do You Want a Job or a Business?

November 16, 2009
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Starting a small business is a job
This is probably not something you want to think about when planning how to start your small business since one of the most common motivations for starting a small business in the first place is to get away from having a job.
But, it’s a fact we have to accept. [...]

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Closing a Small Business

October 30, 2009
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One of the hardest things you have to do as a business owner, no matter if it is a microbusiness, a freelance or home business or a larger enterprise, is to close up shop and end the business. You’ve put in untold time and work with equal parts blood, sweat and tears to start and [...]

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Freelancing – For Many Its the Best Choice for Starting a Microbusiness

October 16, 2009
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If you are reading this you are probably a freelancer or want to be one. That is what most microbusinesses are and it is the best way for many people to start their own microbusiness. I’ve done freelancing for many years and love it, but it is a work style that might not be for [...]

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Is Your Home Biz Legal?

October 13, 2009
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Just because you can run a business from your home doesn’t mean that it is legal to do so. For that you have to comply with any local zoning ordinances, which can be found in your city and county offices. You should also check if there are any covenants or restrictions from homeowner or condo [...]

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The Name Game

September 24, 2009
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You’ve got a business, now you need to come up with a name for it. Big companies hire experts, do studies and spend a fortune to come up with just the right name, and screw it up all the time. So what does the microbusiness owner do? For one thing you can’t do worse than [...]

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Can I Do Direct Sales like Mary Kay and Tupperware?

September 23, 2009
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Absoutely you can start a microbusiness doing direct sales for all kinds of companies. Direct Sales businesses get a bum rap but they can be a great way to have a home-based part-time business.
It’s a pretty simple business model most people are familar with–have a party and sell stuff. Direct Selling is just the fancy [...]

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Buying a Franchise as a Startup Alternative

September 23, 2009
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Why go through all the trouble of starting a microbusiness or buying someone else’s existing business when you can get a franchise? It is yet way to get your business dreams up and running. The model is simple. In return for paying certain fees you get:

A proven business model – avoid startup mistakes
Help, training and [...]

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Buy a Business Instead of Starting One

September 18, 2009
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Instead of starting a business from scratch why not just buy one? Skip all that soul searching, planning and struggling to get a new business going and take over somebody else’s business. Here are the advantages to buying instead of starting a business

Studies show you are less likely to fail with an existing business than [...]

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Consider Part-time before Full-time

September 18, 2009
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Taking the full-time business plunge is a like diving off the high board, the really really high board. It can be scary. If it is too scary consider warming up by jumping low board first– start a part-time business.
ADVANTAGES
There are lots of advantages to going part-time first. You can keep earning your nice steady paycheck from [...]

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Eight Things to Consider When Choosing a Business

September 17, 2009
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Once you’ve decided to take the plunge, the next step is to decide what kind of business you are going to have. There are thousands of choices. For some, the answer is simple, but others struggle to figure out what their startup is going to be. If you went through the lists I suggested in [...]

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Set Your Startup Goals

September 16, 2009
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It is important to set some goals for starting your business. Think about things like:

What do you want to achieve?
How much money do you want to make?
Where to you want to work? Anywhere, at home in your pajamas? In your own office or store? On Main street or the beach?
How much and long do you want [...]

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Learn from Others: The Good, Bad and Ugly of Starting a Business

September 16, 2009
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Talk to People
It’s not likely your the first person to try what you want to do. Find people who’ve already done it. Those who’ve been successful can tell you how they did it, what worked and what didn’t. Just as important, try to find people who have failed and talk to them. See if they [...]

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Know Your Motivation for Starting a Microbusiness

September 16, 2009
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Your Motivation
What is motivating you to start your own business? Some common reasons are:

Getting fired
Fed up and quit
Want to be in control and not work for somebody else
Want creative freedom
See an opportunity, an unmet need you can fill
You’ve invented a better mousetrap

Are you really ready to give up the steady income and security of your [...]

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Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Micropreneur?

September 16, 2009

Are you worried you don’t have what it takes to be a micropreneur? Any of these doubts causing panic:

Wonder if you have the skills or knowledge to start a biz, sell your produce or service, deal with customers?
Have you got the time to put in long hours?
Can you be flexible to meet the time and [...]

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Ready to take the plunge?

September 14, 2009

Here are some things to consider before you start a business:
 
Money
Have you got enough money to live on while the business is starting? Can you afford to start this business? If not, consider trying your idea as a moonlight business. It isn’t the best idea to jump right into a new venture and hope things [...]

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