Thinking of Starting Your Own Business??...Here are some helpful ideas!
Most people have great ideas about starting their own business but don't know how to bring that idea to the market place. This lens is designed to get you started and keep you on the right track. No get rich quick schemes here!Â
A large portion of this lens is devoted to providing the reader with resources, such as books, tapes, cd's, dvd's, downloads, and software, where information can be obtained in writing a business plan for your idea. Under the "What's here?" section in the first column to the left, click on "More..." and you will see a condensed list of what resources are available.  Click on any link and you will immediately be taken to that resource!
Your Business Plan
It's your roadmap to success!
Your business plan is critical for successfully starting and building a business. A successful business plan provides a "blue print" or "map" of what is necessary to start a business and keep it going. Once it is established, you need to regularly review and update your business plan to manage your growth and objectives. Not only do you need to know where you are going but you need to know where you have been.Successful businesses, whether a start-up or established, just do not happen. They take a significant amount of planning time and resources. My goal is to help you professionally communicate your business vision and strategy so you can secure capital for your start-up or to pursue growth initiatives in your existing business.
Be careful with using off-the-shelf (generic) plans. Real life isn't standardized and there are too many variables in most people's situations to make a one-size-fit-all approach.
Be a student. If you are interested in going into business in one particular area, then read and study as much as you can about it. There are hundreds of books on all kinds of different businesses. If you educate yourself and do much of the initial research, you are more likely to end up with a business plan that fully expresses your own desires, will save you money if you want an experienced professional like myself to assist you, and hopefully, will result in attracting successful funding for your venture.
I have taken the liberty below to give you some "quick" and "fast" business plan location information about different industries using books, digital downloads, audio tapes/cds, and software. Be sure you understand that the links I've listed are not necessarily everything written about a particular business segment, but primarily takes you to information that specialize in some aspect of the "business plan" while giving you additional helpful business information.
Over on the left side of this page under "What's here", click on "more >>" and you will see the full content of this lens.
Your Business Model: More Than a Pitch
It shows investors precisely how your business will create a profitable niche in the marketplace.
- BusinessWeek
- "What's your business model?" is a common question among investors and entrepreneurs. It's another way of asking the critical questions: How do you plan to engage the market? How do you plan to make money? Do you plan to sell your product directly or through other channels? Do you plan to provide services or manufacture product? Do you plan to charge users, advertisers, or some other party who gains value from your offering?
Do You Really Need a Business Plan?
Not All Business Plans Are Equal
By Stephen L. Nelson, CPA"People often mean different things when they use the phrase "business plan." Sometimes they just mean a strategy (which could just as well be described in a sentence). Sometimes they mean a 20-25pp document that "sells" a business to new investors or lenders."
3 Important Start-up Questions
the Success Cycle....
By Chuck BowenWhen you're beginning a new business, it obviously takes a lot of action to make things happen. Your dream -- that killer idea -- is so important to get your juices going. Most entrepreneurs, however, overlook the Success Cycle I teach my business clients: P-D-C-A (Plan - Do - Check - Adjust). I find most are hyper to Fire, Fire, Fire!
Veterans Thrive As Entrepreneurs
Veterans embarking on new mission as entrepreneurs..
- The Seattle Times Company July 15, 2007
- Many veterans are quickly becoming self-employed, earning incentives and assistance from programs that help them start small businesses and franchises. Veterans can obtain assistance from the Service Corps of Retired Executives, which is a division of the U.S. Small Business Administration that also oversees the Veterans Business Development office and the International Franchise Association's "VetFran" program that offers financial incentives to veterans to become franchisees. The Seattle Times/McClatchy News Service (7/15)
Microsoft Office Live Seminars
Starting A New Business
- Microsoft Office Live
- Microsoft has several "live" and on-demand seminars which can be viewed either online or by download WMV video or MP3 audio. You may be required to get a Microsoft Live I.D. and password but they are all "free" and the information is "awesome".
Amazon Top 10 Books On How To Write Business Plans
Business Plans Kit For Dummies (For Dummies (Business & Personal Finance)) by Steven D., PhD Peterson
While Business Plans For Dummies covers the strate more...1 point
Rich Dad's Advisors®: The ABC's of Writing Winning Business Plans: How to Prepare a Business Plan That Others Will Want to Read -- and Invest In (Rich Dad's Advisors) by Garrett Sutton
Armchairinterviews.com&amp more...0 points
How to Write a Great Business Plan for Your Small Business in 60 Minutes or Less - With Companion CD-ROM by Sharon Fullen
A business plan precisely defines your business, i more...0 points
Amazon Books On Business Plans for Any Business (1)
Business Plan Writer
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: (as of 09/07/2008)
List Price: $24.85
Used Price:
Tips and Traps For Writing an Effective Business Plan (Tips & Traps)
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $14.78 (as of 09/07/2008)
List Price: $18.95
Used Price: $3.85
The Total Business Plan: How to Write, Rewrite, and Revise, 2nd Edition
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: (as of 09/07/2008)
List Price: $49.95
Used Price: $0.43
Your Business Plan: How to Create It, How to Use It
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: (as of 09/07/2008)
List Price: $22.00
Used Price: $4.14
NYT Business Planning: 25 Keys to a Sound Business Plan (The New York Times Pocket Mba Series)
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: (as of 09/07/2008)
List Price: $12.95
Used Price: $6.81
Amazon Books On Business Plans for Any Business (2)
Preparing a Business Plan: How to Lay the Right Foundations for Business Success (Business)
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $15.56 (as of 09/07/2008)
List Price: $19.95
Used Price: $7.56
The Business Plan: How to Win Your Investors' Confidence
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $42.46 (as of 09/07/2008)
List Price: $49.95
Used Price: $40.20
Business planning guide: Creating a plan for success in your own business : a handbook to help you design, write, and use a business plan and a financing ... tailored to your specific business needs
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: (as of 09/07/2008)
List Price: $16.95
Used Price: $0.11
How To Prepare And Present A Business Plan
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: (as of 09/07/2008)
List Price: $16.00
Used Price: $0.04
How to Write a Winning Business Plan
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $15.25 (as of 09/07/2008)
List Price: $16.95
Used Price: $2.00
Amazon Books On Business Plans for Any Business (3)
How to Write a Business Plan
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $20.99 (as of 09/07/2008)
List Price: $34.99
Used Price: $17.00
Introduction to Business with Business Plan Booklet and CD-ROM
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $85.95 (as of 09/07/2008)
List Price: $85.95
Used Price:
PERFECT BUSINESS PLAN (PERFECT S.)
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: (as of 09/07/2008)
List Price:
Used Price: $12.65
How to Develop a Business Plan in 15 Days
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: (as of 09/07/2008)
List Price: $19.95
Used Price: $0.04
Your Business Plan
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: (as of 09/07/2008)
List Price: $18.60
Used Price: $15.55
Amazon Books On Business Plans for Any Business (4)
Rule's Book of Business Plans (Entrepreneur Mentor)
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $18.95 (as of 09/07/2008)
List Price: $18.95
Used Price: $1.74
The Entrepreneur's Guide To Preparing A Winning Business Plan and Raising Venture Capital
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $25.90 (as of 09/07/2008)
List Price: $36.95
Used Price: $0.93
Attracting Equity Investors: Positioning, Preparing, and Presenting the Business Plan (Entrepreneurship & the Management of Growing Enterprises)
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $56.95 (as of 09/07/2008)
List Price: $56.95
Used Price: $28.33
Seven Steps to a Successful Business Plan
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: (as of 09/07/2008)
List Price: $65.00
Used Price: $22.99
Business Plans Made Ez (Made E-Z)
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: (as of 09/07/2008)
List Price: $14.95
Used Price: $0.57
Amazon Books On Business Plans for Any Business (5)
Entrepreneurship, The Art of Succeeding in Business: Business Plan Development Guide
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $24.95 (as of 09/07/2008)
List Price: $24.95
Used Price: $19.95
Business Plans Handbook: A compilation of Actual Business Plans Developed by Businesses Throughout North America (Business Plans Handbook)
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $192.00 (as of 09/07/2008)
List Price: $192.00
Used Price: $36.09
Create Your Own Business Plan
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $19.95 (as of 09/07/2008)
List Price: $19.95
Used Price:
Business Plans That Win $$$: Lessons from the MIT Enterprise Forum
Release Date: 02/18/1987
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $10.40 (as of 09/07/2008)
List Price: $13.00
Used Price: $4.85
Amazon Books on Business Plans for Artists
Art & Reality: The New Standard Reference Guide and Business Plan for Actively Developing Your Career As an Artist
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: (as of 09/07/2008)
List Price: $29.95
Used Price: $4.79
Art Office, Second Edition: 80+ business forms, charts, sample letters, legal documents and business plans (Art Office: 80+ Business Forms, Charts, Sample Letters, Legal)
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 09/07/2008)
List Price: $14.95
Used Price: $9.43
Amazon Books On Business Plans for Bed & Breakfast Business
Developing a bed and breakfast business plan (North central regional extension publication)
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: (as of 09/07/2008)
List Price:
Used Price:
Start and Run a Profitable Bed and Breakfast: Your Step-By-Step Business Plan (Self-Counsel Business Series)
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: (as of 09/07/2008)
List Price: $14.95
Used Price: $0.01
Amazon Books On Business Plans for Catering
Start and Run a Profitable Catering Business: From Thyme to Timing : Your Step-By-Step Business Plan (Self-Counsel Business Series)
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: (as of 09/07/2008)
List Price: $14.95
Used Price: $11.86
Amazon Books On Business Plans for Consulting Services
Start and Run a Profitable Consulting Business: A Step-By-Step Business Plan (Self Counsel Business Series)
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: (as of 09/07/2008)
List Price: $17.95
Used Price: $0.01
The One Page Business Plan for the Professional Consultant
Release Date: 10/19/2006
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $23.07 (as of 09/07/2008)
List Price: $34.95
Used Price: $23.43
Amazon Books On Business Plans for E-Commerce
Streetwise Internet Business Plan: Create a Compelling Plan for Your .Com Business That Will Get It Financed, and Lead It to Success (Adams Streetwise Series)
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: (as of 09/07/2008)
List Price: $19.95
Used Price: $0.83
Businessplan.Com: How to Write an Ecommerce Business Plan (Psi Successful Business Library)
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: (as of 09/07/2008)
List Price: $19.95
Used Price: $0.62
Amazon Books on Business Plans for Farms & Rural Areas
Building a Sustainable Business: A Guide to Developing a Business Plan for Farms and Rural Businesses (Sustainable Agriculture Network Handbook Series, ... Agriculture Network Handbook Series, Bk. 6)
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $17.00 (as of 09/07/2008)
List Price: $17.00
Used Price: $76.54
Amazon Books On Business Plans for Film Making
Filmmakers and Financing, Fifth Edition: Business Plans for Independents
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $19.77 (as of 09/07/2008)
List Price: $29.95
Used Price: $19.95
The Independent Filmmaker's Guide to Writing a Business Plan for Investors
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $35.95 (as of 09/07/2008)
List Price: $39.95
Used Price: $47.15
Amazon Books On Business Plans for Free-Lance Writing Business
Start and Run a Profitable Freelance Writing Business: Your Step- By-Step Business Plan (Self-Counsel Business Series)
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: (as of 09/07/2008)
List Price: $14.95
Used Price: $4.95
Amazon Books On Business Plans for Gift Basket Businesses
Start and Run a Profitable Gift Basket Business: Your Step-By-Step Business Plan (Self-Counsel Business)
Amazon Price: (as of 09/07/2008)
Used Price: $0.04
Amazon Books On Business Plans for Home-Based Arts & Crafts
Start and Run a Profitable Craft Business: A Step-By-Step Business Plan (Self-Counsel Business Series)
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: (as of 09/07/2008)
List Price: $16.95
Used Price: $0.01
How to Start a Home-Based Craft Business, 4th (Home-Based Business Series)
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: (as of 09/07/2008)
List Price: $17.95
Used Price: $0.01
Handmade for Profit!: Hundreds of Secrets to Success in Selling Arts and Crafts
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $10.85 (as of 09/07/2008)
List Price: $15.95
Used Price: $5.00
The Crafts Business Answer Book & Resource Guide: Answers to Hundreds of Troublesome Questions About Starting, Marketing, and Managing a Homebased Business Efficiently, Legally, and Profitably
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $10.85 (as of 09/07/2008)
List Price: $15.95
Used Price: $0.88
Start Your Own Crafts Business (Entrepreneur Magazine's Start-Up ; Guide #1304)
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $11.21 (as of 09/07/2008)
List Price: $14.95
Used Price: $2.99
Amazon Books On Business Plans for Home-Based Recruiting Business
The Complete Guide to Owning and Operating a Home-Based Recruiting Business: A Step-By-Step Business Plan for Entrepreneurs
Amazon Price: $9.85 (as of 09/07/2008)
Amazon Books On Business Plans for Import/Export Business
Import/Export Business Sample Business Plan 2004/2005 Edition
Release Date: 01/01/2004
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $24.95 (as of 09/07/2008)
List Price: $24.95
Used Price:
Building an Import/Export Business, 3rd Edition
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 09/07/2008)
List Price: $19.95
Used Price: $5.79
Amazon Books On Business Plans for Medical Practice
Medical Practice Business Plan Workbook, Second Edition
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $75.00 (as of 09/07/2008)
List Price: $75.00
Used Price: $64.99
Medical Practice Business Plan Workbook : A Blueprint for Building the Practice You Want and Deserve
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: (as of 09/07/2008)
List Price: $55.00
Used Price: $99.05
Amazon Books on Business Plans for Restaurants, Bars & Catering
Opening a Restaurant or Other Food Business Starter Kit: How to Prepare a Restaurant Business Plan and Feasibility Study
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $39.95 (as of 09/07/2008)
List Price: $39.95
Used Price: $19.97
Restaurant and Bar Sample Business Plan 2004/2005 Edition
Release Date: 01/01/2004
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $24.95 (as of 09/07/2008)
List Price: $24.95
Used Price:
The Restaurant Business Start-up Guide (Real-World Business) (Real-World Business)
Release Date: 07/25/2008
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $32.97 (as of 09/07/2008)
List Price: $49.95
Used Price: $24.99
Amazon Books On Business Plans for Retail Business
Retail Business Kit for Dummies
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $19.79 (as of 09/07/2008)
List Price: $29.99
Used Price: $10.45
Start and Run a Profitable Retail Business: A Step-By-Step Business Plan (Self-Counsel Business)
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: (as of 09/07/2008)
List Price: $14.95
Used Price: $0.01
Amazon Books On Business Plans for Service Businesses
Model Business Plans for Product Businesses
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $29.95 (as of 09/07/2008)
List Price:<