| Have you been dreaming of getting out of the rat race | | | | 4. Where will my business be located? |
| and starting your own small business? If so, your | | | | Those looking to work from home should answer |
| dream has become a reality for thousands of people | | | | additional questions such as : |
| across the U.S. | | | | 1. Is there enough space in my home? |
| New small business owners often have similar | | | | 2. Can the business be run well and successfully from |
| questions such as Will I be successful? Do I need a | | | | the home? |
| mentor? What help is available? What will this cost | | | | 3. Can I deal with not working around other people? |
| me? | | | | When potential small business owners are able to |
| The fact of the matter is, those who are successful in | | | | answer the questions above and feel comfortable with |
| starting their small business have carefully planned for | | | | the outcome, this will naturally lead then to the next tip: |
| each phase of their business's life. There are definite | | | | Tip #3: Develop a business plan. This is crucial and |
| steps potential entrepreneurs should follow to increase | | | | there is help available for this important step. For |
| their chance of success. Here are 3 tips to assist them | | | | example, The Small Business Administration (SBA) |
| in this process: | | | | provides free or low-cost resources to help potential |
| Tip #1: Decide on your potential business. Ask | | | | small business owners plan, finance, and manage their |
| questions such as: | | | | business. The resources the SBA offers includes free, |
| 1. Is there is a marketplace? | | | | online courses which takes entrepreneurs through the |
| 2. Can a profit be made? | | | | steps of starting a business, assistance in writing |
| 3. How much competition is currently in the specific | | | | business plans, and guidance in how to raise capital. |
| market place? | | | | These resources are easily available online at or at the |
| Tip #2: Do careful research. This is highly important | | | | local SBA office in towns and cities across the U.S. |
| and can prevent potential small business owners from | | | | The SBA?s Answer Desk can also be reached at |
| making costly mistakes. Some basic questions to ask | | | | 1-800-U ASK SBA. |
| are: | | | | Another great source from the SBA is there SCORE |
| 1. What niche or void will my business fill? | | | | program. This stands for the "The Service Corps of |
| 2. What services or products will be sold? | | | | Retired Executives". This is a free e-mail business |
| 3. Is my idea practical, and will it fill a need? | | | | course that includes informative sections on federal |
| 4. Can a demand be created for the business? | | | | and state agencies and links to other business |
| Once the potential small business owner has | | | | resources. Find the SCORE program by going to |
| determined their business is feasible, other questions to | | | | Starting a small business and being successful with it |
| think about are: | | | | are dreams of many people. However, it does require |
| 1. What skills and experience do I bring to the | | | | careful planning and research. If done right, one can |
| business? | | | | indeed leave the "rat race" behind and embark on a life |
| 2. What will be my legal structure? | | | | they have always dreamed about. Why not start |
| 3. What financing will I need? | | | | now? |