ForumsStarting a Business

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<![endif]-->There are entrepreneurial
minded students seeking small business opportunities that are dissatisfied with
the traditional methods of higher education. I work for a university that incorporates a new learning model designed
specifically for the needs of the ambitious, action oriented
entrepreneur. We provide online classes that teach practical, timely
business applications. Unlike other online universities whose business
degrees barely mention the entrepreneurs' needs, we have assembled a
comprehensive learning community focused entirely on entrepreneurship.

Now don't let this scare you away in thinking you HAVE to go back to school. The key is "we have assembled a
comprehensive learning community focused entirely on entrepreneurship". We have an entrepreneurial environment, community, and education that works! In fact i can educate you on a thourough and effective business plan, a scalable marketing plan, educate you on the proper ecocnomic model for your business as well as helpyou get some human resource skills under your belt BEFORE you have employees.I can educate you on how to position yourself in order to capaitalize on trends, how to find funding to start your business or expand it And how to protect your earnings from taxes as well as how to use self directed investing to insure that you build a sound future.

So, if anything I have said is of interest to you, what would you say is the most logical next step?

Alex D

A few suggestions . . .

1. Get a crystal clear vision in your mind of what the successful business you are imagining will look like three years from now. Write out a description of what you are envisioning, in as much detail as possible.

2. Look at each element of your business vision, and map out the steps you need to take to get from where you are now to where you want to be in three years. For example, does the business you envisioned have a building or facility? If so, what are the steps you'll have to take to get it? Try to create a checklist of things to do. (Does the business have products to sell? If so, where did they come from - what steps did you take to find vendors or suppliers? Make a checklist. Are there customers buying those products? If so, how did they hear about the business - was there a marketing or advertising campaign? Make a checklist.) As you can imagine, there are literally hundreds of things to consider like that, so you just take them one at a time and think them through -- making a checklist for each of all the things that have to get done. (A good SCORE counselor can help you identify those steps.)

3. For each of those elements you considered, ask yourself which thing on each checklist you need to do first. Then ask yourself if you have the knowledge, skills, experience, strengths, assets, contacts, and/or resources you need to do that thing right now. If you do, then do it, mark it off the list, and move on to the next thing. If you don't have what you need to do it right now, then your first "to do" item will be to learn or find or meet or acquire the something or someone you need in order to take that step -- so you'll pursue finding that knowledge or person or resource.

4. Keep at it until you have what you need, all the tasks on all the checklists are complete, and your vision is realized. It starts slow. Very slow. But anything you learn or acquire, and anyone you meet, will help you later -- so the momentum really picks up once you get going. Just make a promise to youself that you will do things every single day that move you closer to your vision. Lots of people want to have their own businesses, but not nearly as many are willing to work every day at closing the gap between where they are now and where they want to be. If you are, you will.

Good luck!