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Home>Business Resource Center >Business Articles >Starting and Planning Your Business

Starting and Planning Your Business: An Introduction

Starting a business is a test of self-motivation, multitasking, efficient management and careful organization. In fact, just coming up with a business plan takes a lot of courage and creativity. But perhaps the biggest challenge is getting down to the real, gritty details of entrepreneurship.

As a would-be owner, you’ve already developed a rudimentary concept for your establishment, looked at possible locations and hammered out a basic management structure. Now it’s time for the real work. Setting goals, tackling legalities, finding money - all this and more takes knowledge, patience and stamina.

Refer to these articles for practical tips and guidelines on leadership development, funding, planning, resources, market analysis and dozens of other topics in the start-up domain. The answers are at your fingertips!

• Lay the Groundwork - Launching your own company means developing realistic timelines and goals focused on costs, corporate structure, licenses and a slew of other requirements. All this takes planning, funding and letting the “leader” in you come to front and center.
• Duplicate a Thriving Business: Franchise! - Cornerstones of the national economy, franchises offer entrepreneurs the opportunity to build new companies within the framework of a proven system.
• Existing Biz or Brand New Venture? - Buying an existing business offers the advantage of an established infrastructure and built-in staff. On the other hand, starting a company from scratch can be an adventure - and a challenge!
• Choose The Right Business Location - Where you set up shop is a primary factor in your new company’s long-term survival. A suitable location can make the difference between financial well-being and barely making it.
• Get a Handle on Capital - Financing is one hurdle that need not be too high to clear. A number of commercial and special loan programs are available to qualified and motivated entrepreneurs.
• The Business Plan - A Frame for The Future - Putting together a powerful business plan isn’t complicated, but it does require prep work, organizational skills and follow-through.
• Attention to the Details - Big mistakes happen when a new business owner forgets must-do tasks. List and review critical chores such as choosing a legal structure, obtaining licensures, naming your company and writing a mission statement.
• Products and Services: Make Sure the Price Is Right - For fledgling entrepreneurs, pricing products and services competitively - while still managing to clear a profit - can present a real challenge. Fortunately, a few basic guidelines apply to virtually every type of business.
• Looking Ahead: Issues and Challenges - The U.S. Chamber of Commerce address national and international issues impacting the small business community on an ongoing basis. Chief among these are Health Care and Trade, but America entrepreneurs must contend with other challenges, too.