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Working Mom
Creating a Business Plan
by Liz Folger |
When I started my first
business I didn't have a solid, well thought-out business plan. I threw together a rough
one that I used to apply for a bank loan (which I didn't get, by the way). If you take the
time to research and put together a small business plan, you will have a much clearer and
focused idea of what you can expect in your business.
A good business plan will help you figure out approximately what your business will cost
to get off the ground. You don't want to guess at this. Knowing your costs will help you
decide what you're going to charge.
The bottom line - most businesses fail because they don't have a clearly spelled-out
business plan. Don't make that mistake.
For those of you who have been in business for a while, don't think a business plan can't
help you. Because you'll be wrong. Your business plan should be taken out on a regular
basis, reread and updated.
Below I have given you a list of questions you should ask yourself when starting your
business.
1. What is your business exactly? Explain in one or two sentences. (If you can't describe
your business in a couple of sentences, rethink your business and focus your idea).
2. Is my particular business needed? List the reasons that make you thinks so.
3. Where do I see my business being in one year? In three years? In five years? (Be
specific.)
4. How will I fund my business? Savings, credit cards, loans?
5. What equipment/office supplies/licenses will I need to get my business started? Total
Cost?
6. What organizations and trade publications will I need? Total Cost?
7. Who is my target customer? Describe them.
8. What organizations/publications do my target customers belong to?
9. What other businesses will I be competing with?
10. What makes my business different from my competitor's business? (Include price,
quality, unique services, etc.)
11. Where will I set up my home office? Is it going to cost me money to make a nice
workable office? Cost?
12. Will I use daycare everyday or once a week? Cost?
13. How much money do I need to make each month to help my family survive?
Once again, this is just a partial list, but there are enough questions here to give you a
good idea of what you'll be facing with a new business and the costs involved. A business
plan is essential to any successful . As one great quote says, Those who fail to plan,
plan to fail. - Author Unknown
Liz Folger is Work-at-Home
Mom Expert and author of  "The Stay-at-Home Mom's Guide To making Money". Her
book is available at your favorite bookstore or by calling, 800-632-8676. Liz has also
created a resource site for work-at-home moms at the following:http://www.bizymoms.com.
When you visit don't forget to sign-up for the free e-newsletter just for moms who work
from home. If you have a question that you'd like covered in a column, e-mail her at: Bizymommy@aol.com.
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