Want to Know How to Start a Small Business?
If you have landed on this page, then chances are you are asking yourself how to start a small business of your own.
You are probably caught up smack dab in the middle of an ‘entrepreneurial seizure' and starting a small business is the only option for your future that you can see clearly. You have convinced yourself that becoming a small business owner is the only thing that can solve all your problems (dead-end job, awful boss, office politics, long hours, being cash poor, etc, etc).
Starting a small business is exciting and the natural tendency is for would-be entrepreneurs to jump in feet first.
Before most would-be entrepreneurs have even thought about their business model, they quit their job (that's assuming of course, that there was a choice in the matter), order some business cards, run an advertisement in the local paper and wait for the phone to ring. This approach, although intoxicating, is a bit like buying a yacht on credit the day before you buy the winning lottery ticket.
The pay-slips stop arriving, the bank balance begins to dwindle, and the phone only rings every now and then. You find out that there are six other small businesses just like yours already operating in your neighborhood and your friends and family can only buy/spend so much to keep you going.
After six months the wife/husband/partner is sick of working full time to pay for everything while you hang around the house, the dog runs and hides when he sees you coming, and the kids want their rumpus room back (you know, the room you converted into an office at the height of your seizure).
Then just to put the icing on the cake, you get a letter from a Fortune 500 company threatening to sue over a trademark infringement because your (unregistered) business name looks and sounds a lot like one of theirs!
Can a scenario like this be avoided?
The short answer is yes. But you have to put some effort in up front.
Okay, okay, you caught me. I lied.
If you want to start a small business that succeeds it will take a lot of effort!
On this site you will find valuable information about how to start a small business, covering everything from developing a business model and writing a business plan to keeping the books!
Looking for Help to Manage Your Personal Finances?
DIY Personal Money Matters is a sister site to 'How to Start a Small Business' and has been created to provide assistance for individuals who wish to gain control of their personal finances.
No matter what your current income is, there are some things you can do to improve your financial situation.
On this site you will find information that will help you to increase your income, reduce your spending and make better use of the money you have.
Table of Contents
Ask a Question
Do you need to ask a question about starting a business of your own? Now is your chance, ask away!
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How to Start a Small Business Blog
he How to Start a Small Business Blog keeps you up-to-date with additions and changes to the how-to-start-a-small-business.com website. Subscribe here!
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Why Business Models Matter
The first step in starting a small business is working out what your business model is, but before you do that you need to know why business models matter!
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Small Business SWOT Analysis - Internal Analysis
A important step in evaluating your small business model is to assess your model from the point of view of your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities or threats - doing a small business SWOT analysis.
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Startup Profit Potential
One key element of your business model to evaluate is the startup profit potential. Can your business model earn you the profit you require?
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Finalising Your Business Identity
What will your business identity be? Armed with the information you have gathered about your target customers and the competitors you will face in the market, you can define your business identity.
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Small Business Structure
When you are setting up your small business, one thing you will need to consider is which small business structure will be the most suitable for you.
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Other Startup Options
Ever wondered what startup options there if you don't want to start your own business from scratch?
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Small Business Premises
Researching your small business premises is critical as securing premises is likely to be the most significant cost you will have during the start up phase.
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Writing a Small Business Plan
One of the most important tasks during the the startup phase for your new business is writing a small business plan.
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Small Business Startup Funding
How are you going to finance your Small Business? Small business startup funding may be available from a variety of sources. Read this page for more information.
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Small Business Financial Statements
When you are starting a small business, you will need to familiarise yourself with small business financial statements so that you are able to evaluate the financial health of your business.
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Managing the Money
Managing the money that flows in and out of your small business is a critical aspect of managing your small business.
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How to do Bookkeeping for Your Small Business
One of the important tasks in running a small business is tracking your transactions to calculate profits, work out who owes you money, and how much tax you will have to pay. How to do bookkeeping?
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Business Promotional Materials
An important feature of your Advertising and Promotion activities will be the small business promotional materials you develop for your small business.
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Must Have Services for Small Business
Do you need help starting a small business? On this page you will find a description of the must have services for small businesses.
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Small Business Coaching
Could Small Business Coaching help you to start or develop your business? The answer, of course, is yes! Read on to find out how!
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Business Jargon
Does Business Jargon make your head spin? Check out this page to find definitions of common terms your Accountant or Business Advisor is likely to use!
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About Business Process Management
This page is all about Business Process Management, what it is, why you would do it, how to do it, and what to do it with!
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Small Business Books
Are you looking for some good small business books?
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Business Coaching Books
On this page you will find reviews of business coaching books that explain coaching for performance and how you can implement coaching in your business.
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Starting a Small Online Business
Is starting a small online business different to starting any other business? Yes, but only in terms of the tools you use to research your market and the tools used to promote the business!
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Southern Vales Business Support Services
Southern Vales Business Support Services offers business support for small business owners in the southern suburbs of Adelaide.
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About Me
Would you like to know more about me?
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Contact Page
Would you like to send me a message? Or perhaps make a comment about the content on this site? Please feel free to use the form on my contact page.
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Site Index
Looking for something in particular? On this page you will find a link to each page on this site listed in alphabetical order in the site index.
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Affiliate Links
On this page you will find most if not all of the affiliate links that are sprinkled throughout this site.
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Privacy Policy
On this page you will find details of the privacy policy for this website.
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Managing Supplier Relationships
Managing supplier relationships is an important aspect of running your new small business, particularly if you are a retailer. But not matter what type of business model you decide to run with, you will have to deal with suppliers!
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