ForumsTechnology Management

Last year I decided that I wanted to leave my job and start my own consulting firm. The concept is based on Educational-Training where the organization will provide services to Independent Schools, Charter Schools and other Ed. Organization on grant writing and development. Colloborate with start up schools on IDEA and their special education programs and colloborate with start up schools from ground zero on how to design small learning communities. Now...my problem is how do I market myself in order to compete with larger Ed. Consulting Firms. And where do I start? Should I design a business plan or a marketing plan? Colleagues and friends are encouraging me to launch this business but besides reading existing organization's missions I have no clue where to start. I am still employed but with the NCLB act forcing districts to have alternative program designs, I need to be in on the ground floor first hand. I have two parties of interest as (tentative:because I have not seen any funding) partners who will also serve as trainers. I am attending a SCORE'S session in Chicago in March so that I gain a prospectus on am I going in the right direction and how do I acquire funding to start? I have been reading everything I can get my hands on...but I am curious as to what is the start cost for such a business? How do I market the company? Is their profit in my passion? Additionally, because of my extensive background in educational administration I also have batted around the idea of starting a daycare/learning center and I am also excited about this....,I have looked at franchising vs...my own idea. Franchising start up cost 200K. My assets on paper 300K (note on paper). This was going to be second venture after launching venture #1. Please provide advice or network consultants that I can connect with especially those who have launched a similar business. Thank you, for your support in advance.