By Marjorie Geiser
You've been dreaming about what it would be like to start yourown small business. It has been on your mind since you were inschool, and there are times, especially on Monday mornings, thatyou daydream about it. But, you're not really sure what it wouldlook like. You don't have the first clue how to get started, andof course, you're afraid that you would put your heart and soulinto it, only to fail and look like a fool. You barely even talkabout it out loud, because you don't want family and friends tolaugh at you.
But, anything is possible! The only limitations we have are theones we put on ourselves! With planning and learning the steps,and doing your homework, if this is something you really want todo, you can do it, AND succeed greatly at it, too!
I'm not saying it's easy! Nothing worth having is. I have hadto learn a great deal; about myself, about business, about myclients and potential clients. And it never ends, because myinterests and passions change with the years. But, how exciting!
When my daughter started kindergarten, I returned to school. Ittook me five years to get through school, but I had a vision: Iwanted to help people become healthy and fit in the privacy oftheir own homes. After school, I didn't have that plan fully inplace, even in my mind, but after six years of working in ahospital, I was ready. I opened MEG Fitness in June, 1996. It'sbeen an incredible ride! I'll never look back at my life withregrets that I didn't pursue my dream. I really have learnedthat the only limits are those I impose on myself, too! So, Icontinue to dream bigger and allow my vision to become moregrand. Why not? What's the worst that can happen?
That's what you have to ask yourself. If you never try, willyou be happier? If you never try, how will you know if you couldhave done it? Consider some of the well-known names in sports,such as Michael Jordan, the basketball player; he has thrownmore MISSED shots than those that have made their mark. What ifhe had not taken the chance to see what was possible for himself?
Okay, so now you're ready to take the next step! First, inorder to help you focus, I recommend that people start workingon their business plan. The Small Business Association hasinvaluable resources on their website (www.sba.gov). This wasthe route I took. A year before I quit the hospital, I startedworking on my business plan. It helped me determine exactly whoI was, what I offered, why, who my ideal client was, who mytarget market was (at that time), who my competition was, whereI would offer my services, how I would offer them, and so on. AsI coach other health professionals who want this dream, I nowuse a 3-page business plan for clients who don't plan to lookfor outside funding. Regardless of the type of business plan, itwill help answer many hard questions for you.
There are resources specific to most specific fields, too,including other professionals who help others get started. Doyour research to see who you can contact for support and to askquestions of as you progress. Once you have your business planin place, it's not time to celebrate, yet! How are you going toaccomplish the goals you have come up with in that plan? Younext need a marketing plan. Now, although the marketing plan isalso part of a business plan, it's really just the intro! Themarketing plan will become your template, your schedule, andwill spell out the actions you will take to make those goalsreality. If you use it seriously, it will be your day-to-dayguide to making your dreams come true!
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