Turn Your Passion Into Profits How To Start The Business of Your Dreams

by Unknown

• ISBN13: 9781588160065
• ISBN10: 1588160068
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2001-12-31
• Publisher: Hearst

Summary

The how-to companion book toThe Business of Bliss, this book explains the basics of starting your own small business, from writing a business plan to finding financial help, hiring staff, and more.

Table of Contents

Foreword	8	(2)
Introduction	10	(6)
Women-owned Small Businesses---An Expanding Universe
Before You Begin	16	(15)
Why go into business for yourself?
Business as self-expression
Is entrepreneurship for you?
Finding a niche
Market research
Decisions, Decisions, Decisions	31	(18)
Timing your business
Service or product?
Retail or wholesale?
What's in a name?
Choosing a legal structure for your business
Work at home or get a space?
Choosing a location
Writing Your Business Plan	49	(14)
The importance of planning
Why you need a business plan---and when
What happens when you write a business plan?
The importance of research
The essentials of a business plan
The mission statement: some examples
Financing Your Start-up Business	63	(14)
Keeping money in perspective
How much do you need?
Major financing options
Other financing options and terms
Ongoing financing---Rules of thumb
Where and How to Sell Your Product	77	(25)
All about retail
Wholesale
Trade show secrets
Mail order
Web sites and e-business
Where Service is King	102	(17)
Design-based service business, restaurants and inns
The booming service industry
Coming up with an idea for a design-based service business
People skills
Contracts
Charging for your time
The power of personality in service business: Three case studies
Opening a restaurant
An inn of your own
Getting the Word Out: Advertising and Publicity	119	(16)
The importance of word of mouth
Promoting your business
The printed word
Keeping in touch with your customers
Publicity---aka public and press relations
Advertising
Hiring the experts
Keeping the Numbers: Financial Management	135	(22)
Pricing basics and strategies
Keeping records
Collections
Setting up your accounting system
The basics of financial statements
Budgeting
Taxes
People You Need	157	(14)
When do you need a lawyer?
When do you need an accountant?
Consult the experts but rely on yourself
Other professionals and advisers you'll need
Supportive family and friends
Hiring Staff	171	(16)
Learning to delegate
Determining what you need
Contract labor versus full-time employees
Finding people: Word of mouth and advertising
Interviewing techniques
Hiring mistakes
Employee benefits
Motivating and managing people
Retail staffing
The First Year and Beyond: Growing, Changing, Making Mistakes	187	(19)
Reacting versus being proactive: A case study
What to expect
Common pitfalls in the first year
Managing time and stress
Rhythms of business
Managing windfalls
Building a business for the long haul
Growing
Ready for expansion
Your changing role in an expanded business
Making mistakes
Maintaining balance
Appendices	206	(7)
Resources	213	(3)
Featured Entrepreneurs and Businesses	216