Business Plans

One thing I plan to not skimp on is a business plan. A business plan can really help you think through all the various aspects of starting your business. Like how you plan to make money. Who are your customers? What are you selling? What are your start-up costs? What are your expected operational costs and revenues?

See your local Small Business Administration for tips, tools, and templates for writing a business plan.

In some areas they can even put you in touch with mentors who can help you take your rough draft plan and turn it into something more useful and concrete. These mentors are often current or former business owners who want to give back to their communities and pass on the knowledge they wish they'd have known starting out. The SBA can also hook you up with other resources in your community.

My business plan is still taking shape. I've mainly got an outline at this point. But it's a start, and it's already helped me think of things I might not have otherwise.