I want to strat a Business, but I don't know where to start from?

[HumzaRaj]

Hello Everyone,

I have been in the IT Business for the past 8 years and gradually moved up. I went from a Tech to a IT Project Manager, anyway I am tired of working for a company now. I have a wife and a 17 month old son and another on the way. Well for the past 3 years I really want to strat a Business and I just don't know where to start from? I did a research and spoke to some good business people as well. Everyone Athat i talked is not giving me that clue that I need to strat a business. For example, I know this one person that has a Computer store and it barely runs. but yet he is still in business. He would not give me the contact names to his vendors as well. I know I can run a Business very well, but need some good adviswe on where I should start and do I need to speak to other people for Grant's to open up a BUsiness, Please help!!!

 

[franklin97355]

1) Where do you live?
2) How much money do you have saved to start your business?
3) How much money do you have to live on before the business turns a profit?
4) Talk to the small business administration for books on starting a business.
5) Be more careful of the image you project to others.

The answer is "42"

 

[mmorancbt]

Vendors are easy to find. Don't focus on that - just yet. First, the questions posed by Franklin97355 are valuable.

Is your revenue model model product based or service based? Combination?

What services will you provide?

How will you gain exposure?

I did a series of podcast on starting a consulting business part-time and have posted numerous related comments on this board. You can find some of my podcast by following my links, plus my blog has a category called "The Consulting Life" which covers some sales and marketing activities.

I started part-time in 1992 and have been full-time independent since 1995. I've had employees and currently am an independent but do occassionally engage subs on contracts.

If you have specific questions, post them here.

Matthew Moran (career blog and podcast below)
Career Advice with Attitude for the IT Pro

http://blogs.ittoolbox.com/pm/career

http://techcareerconsult.blogspot.com

 

[HumzaRaj]

I will look at the 5 categories that you have listed and go from there. Just want to thank you for the good advise.

 

[skiflyer]

6) Define your market.

Are you competing against Geek Squad, CDW, something completely different? Do you want business, young professionals, elderly computer users, etc.

 

[chiph]

http://www.score.org

has many Word and Excel templates which will help you focus on what you want to do. I would suggest starting with the "Business Plan" one, as that touches all the areas of a business at a high level. Only have completing it should you start on some of the others, like the 12-month cash flow one.

The basic idea in starting a business is: Come up with a plan, then execute the plan.

Chip H.


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