Steps To Starting Your Own Business

You want to start your own business, but you don’t know where to start. Getting a new business up and running requires certain management skills and personality traits. If your career goal is to be your own boss, the Better Business Bureau recommends considering the following:

To start a business you will need to choose or create a business idea. While this is an obvious step, many people who want their own business don’t have an idea, just the desire to be an entrepreneur. There are many options, such as buying a franchise or an existing business, or asking others for ideas.

Your next step should be to develop a business plan. A successful business plan is realistic, factual, and objective, presenting your goals in measurable and attainable terms. It will help you to focus on critical issues and questions to help your business thrive and grow. Ask lots of questions and be sure you come up with satisfactory answers, such as, what type of business do you want to own? Who are your principal competitors? What are their strengths and weaknesses? Where will you locate your business? Who are the potential customers for your product or service? How will you market to potential customers?

Find and consult with qualified professionals – real estate agents, lawyers, accountants, public relations experts and consultants – to help you make the best decision. Ask other business owners for referrals. Contact the Better Business Bureau for a reliability report on any company you are considering using. Even if you have a great deal of experience in the line of work you are considering, don’t expect to know all there is to know about running a business. Good advice may be the difference between success and failure. Be prepared to invest some of your own money into the business. However, there are sources out there that can provide some help, such as banks, the Small Business Administration (www.sba.gov), venture capitalists and private individuals. Before applying for financing, carefully prepare a thorough, well-thought-out loan proposal. Write out detailed figures on the capital needed, and be sure to include a salary for yourself and sufficient funds to cover start-up costs. Be wary of any advertisements or loan brokers charging advance fees for the mere promise of a loan. Check the company out with the Connecticut Better Business Bureau by calling 203/269-2700 ext. 2 or on the Internet at www.connecticut.bbb.org, before doing business.

For tax and legal reasons, you’ll need to decide what form your business will take. Generally, all businesses fall into one of these broad categories: sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, S corporation or limited liability corporation. Before you decide what form you will use for your business, consult with an attorney or an accountant.

Town Street, the founding name for Main Street in Newtown, was originally 132 feet wide when it was laid out in 1709.