As an aspiring business owner, you will need drive and determination to help you overcome any initial teething problems. Being realistic enough to expect setbacks means you can tackle problems with a very positive outlook, keeping your purpose well in mind.

Having decided upon the nature of the business, the goal now is to build your business into one that will be fruitful and solidly based. The good news for anyone contemplating starting a new business, is that help is available.

The Value of Preparation

One of the main factors in building a successful business is preparation, a factor that involves research and discussion with those who already have experience in your chosen field. Preparation helps you determine your goals for the business and research will assist you in identifying potential problems. Whatever your business may be, you will find there are plenty of resources you can call upon to help you in your preparation and research.

One of the basic steps is to research the type of business you are planning and this can be done initially on your own. Using the Internet or even the local library can prove to be a valuable resource in researching your chosen business, learning how others got started, what difficulties they encountered and how they overcame them. If your business is a local affair, spend time considering others who are in the same business locally. How do they advertise, what are their prices or fees and how much competition will you have in your particular area?

Network With Others

Another valuable tool in building your new business is to communicate with other established business owners in your area. Joining them in a network or business club could prove to be a major boost to the growth of your own business. The real value of such networking is that it means you are all working in each others interests in advertising and expanding your businesses. A business club can introduce you to the business community and often results in personal recommendations to people who are in need of your products or services.

Do You Need a Partner?

The type of business you choose may benefit from having an associate to work with you as a partner. Should you decide to include others in your new venture, be sure to involve only those who have similar aspirations. They may be family members or friends, or possibly previous business associates who have the kind of qualities needed in successful business.

Starting a new business can have its teething problems, but with good preparation and research, seeking out other business owners to network with and selecting a business you are passionate about, should see you on the road to becoming successful in business.

One of the best you can do is have a business plan. You should treat it like a real business. Write out an outline for a plan. Fill in details of your business and where you want to be in the future. By creating an outline you will train yourself to complete those goals.

If you are just starting your own business, you might want to find an experienced person that might be willing to help you. They can guide you in the right path. With a business mentor and a business plan you should be able to have success in your business.

The most important thing is have the want to succeed. You need to have the desire to work long and hard hours. You may think that owning your own home based business gives you the ability to work when you want, which you are able to do, but you will succeed most when you work set hours and sometimes longer hours than you would on a regular job.

The first step is to register your business. How this is done varies depended on the Province or State that you live in. It usually doesn't cost a lot. At least not enough to break the bank! After that, you have a decision to make. Do you want to charge sales tax when offering goods and/or services? It may seem like a disadvantage to have to charge tax, but there are advantages as well. For example, a business looks more professional if tax is charged. Another reason is that many people are eligible to claim the sales tax that they have generated on their income tax at the end of each year.

If you don't know what it's like to be the administrator of a website, you will find out, because most businesses should have websites. Websites give your potential customers the information that you would otherwise have to explain over the phone or through email. Many people think, "Oh my god, that's going to be expensive!" when they hear about creating a website. The truth is, there are companies that offer website hosting services for free. Doodlekit is a great one. Doodlekit allows you to register a domain name, and then all you do is add the content into your website. Anyone can do it, because it's really easy. Best of all, it's free!

What about email? Having a business email is extremely important if you are to be successful. Getting a business email is free, and as simple as one, two, three! Many people have told me over the years that while Hotmail is convenient, it isn't professional enough to be a business email server. I use mail.com. With mail .com you can choose whatever name you want to be recognized by. For example. If your business is called "The Cool Cleaners," then you might want to make your business email address coolcleaners@mail.com. This makes your customers see your profession, instead of your desperation for business when you want them to email you at thechickmagnet@hotmail.com!

It may seem like a lot to take in, but there's more, so you might want to make a cup of tea! There is a line between making a professional business, and going to far. Going to far can be defined as buying a shop or office building for your business, or buying some supplies in bulk before your business even opens. To start, your home should be the headquarters of your business. You have to remember that if your business doesn't succeed, and you have already purchased a shop for it, then you will be stuck making payments on a building you don't even use. And think, if you want to start a knickknack store that doesn't succeed, what are you going to do with a hundred porcelain dogs that know one will buy!

There's no need to panic if your business doesn't take of immediately. It can be a very sad thing to wake up on the first day that your business is open, only to check you email and see, "No new messages." The trick is to advertise, spread the word. Make business cards. My family owns a business and at first, it looked like a total failure, until it started to pick up gradually. It will take time, but if you set your mind to it, soon, you to, will have a successful business started.

With layoffs running wild, wages stagnant or going down, bosses who, (perhaps because of a glut of available employees), making conditions at businesses less than “employee friendly”, a lot of people are dissatisfied. On TV and the internet you can see people basking in luxury, driving fancy cars, living in decorator designed homes and here you are, getting up at dawn and trudging off to a job you despise just to get that weekly pay check, just to have a way to pay the bills, afford to eat and basically, tread in place.

Quite naturally at this point it's easy to decide starting your own business, being your own boss-that might be the golden egg you've been searching for. But you may forget the egg is a by-product... and what you need is the chicken.

Late Night TV Ideas Can Be Alluring

On TV at late night, con men are pushing their seductive ideas-real estate with no money down, home businesses producing thousands weekly (they don't say how). They know you are most vulnerable in the middle of the night when you don't see a way to get ahead. Check those “home businesses”. Most of them start out by saying “How much can you afford to invest?” They aren't looking for your answer to be “Nothing.”

Can you get rich in real estate? Yes... many have. Can you start your own business and succeed? Yes, again... many have.

Getting rich in real estate is not free. You do need money for down payments or to assume loans, or you need a golden partnership with your favorite bank. You also need education about real estate and knowledgeable people like lawyers to prepare forms and supervise “closings”. And there's also that great catch no one ever talks about in commercials. Overextending yourself. Getting into a mess where you have properties that need upkeep or renovation, payments coming in, and no sales going on, and shortly you can have a situation worse than a sub-prime mortgage holder.

If you are new to business the best thing is to pass on the real estate deal and go for something simpler and less expensive like an internet business.

Is eBay an Answer?

eBay is a great place to start but you need to study it first to see exactly how it works, and what you can't do and can do. You can sell your own “stuff” piece by piece and often do very well, but you'll probably run out of items and come to the point where you want your own store. And that's where the complications begin.

To start a store you need to decide what kind of store. Most people today will think I want to sell electronics...I-pods, flat screen TVs. There's a huge demand; there is also huge competition because a lot of people have the same idea. And then there's the one you may want... a variety store. You can do that, for not much money-something like DOBA with 100,000 items. You can drop ship which basically means your customer orders something, and pays for it and someone else packs and ships it for you. Of course there is a fee for this. This cuts into your profit and you are always wondering are my orders being filled in a timely manner... if someone wants a refund or exchange will someone take care of that?

Experts say “pick a niche” and work it. Maybe you like cats-you offer anything you find about cats. Then you discover some big companies have the cat market pretty well locked up.

Or maybe fly fishing...you want to tie and sell your own flies. Great until suddenly you have more orders than you can fill, you have angry customers-nasty feedback if you're on E-bay that can get you kicked off, and your stress level goes ballistic.

So what is the right way? Here's a brief check list that could help.

What Are You Good At?

Think about what you know best. Your business should be based on something you know, something you're interested in, something you're good at. I have actually seen people wandering around looking for a business to buy-any business-maybe one they know nothing about. That's what happens to a lot of franchise owners. It looks like the simple solution...a going business...built in customers... built in good will.

But there are usually huge fees to pay. You need solid gold credit. You need to accept that you'll always be subject to someone else's rules. If they decide to change the theme of their franchise, you could end up paying the bill for changes you don't even want. Every day when you make money, a portion of it is not yours. Sometimes it's a large portion.

Better avoid franchises unless you have money to burn.

Keep It Simple

Start as small as possible. There is less trauma if you fail or quit. Don't mortgage your house for money; don't max out your credit cards. Money in a business usually comes in slower than you think; expenses are more than you expect.

If you can use a room in your house, or your garage, don't rent a building because they come with leases, monthly payments and back breaking utility bills, city permits, inspections and annoyances like people constantly hitting you up for donations.

A room is fine. You can do a lot in one room. One word of caution. If your home is covered by a subdivision covenant forbidding you to run a business there, you'll have to find another location. Also if you live in a residential area, even if it's not covered by restrictions, avoid excessive traffic, foot or vehicle, which will only alienate your neighbors.

Be Absolutely Legal

Essential things you'll need: a business permit from your city or county, a Federal I.D. (for tax purposes and so you can buy wholesale). Never, never neglect to pay your taxes. If you aren't sure about that, you need to read tax books or consult a lawyer. You need a separate bank account for your business. Pick a name for your business. You'll need to file a notice that you-John Jones-will be doing business as Jones and Associates (that might be your wife and kids).

You can run it in your local newspaper. You may be required to say how much money is being invested. You can get away with saying $1000. Failing to do these things can lead to future problems. If you sell on E-bay you'll have to pay taxes on the money you make. Some people foolishly claim a small income and huge expenses in hopes of a tax break. IRS is onto all those games. They might decide to rule your “business” is actually only a hobby.

Plan Not to Give Up

Be prepared for the long haul. Try to form a five year plan and stick with it.

Any money you make in the business that isn't needed desperately for food or shelter or utilities shouldn't be “spending money” or “treat” money. Don't go out and buy a new car yet or a fifty inch 3-D TV.

Any money made in the beginning should be plowed back into the business... more stock to sell, more equipment. It helps enormously if you can keep your regular job while establishing your business. Then you have a safety net against hard times. You know it's time to go full time for the business when you are making more at it, on a consistent basis, than your salary is producing. The key here is “consistent basis”, not just one month, but a number of months. People who recklessly quit their jobs to start a business often live to regret it bitterly. Remember almost nothing is as easy as professionals make it look. There is a learning period.

Keep Track of Details

Is it easy to start a business? Yes.

Is it hard to make it successful? Quick success sometimes comes and it looks easy and fun, but that can be followed by a tough, dry period. Suddenly your customers find someone else cheaper, more efficient, or your item just becomes “stale” and they are looking elsewhere.

That's when you work your first item...say a widget... as far as it will go but meanwhile be developing something new to introduce.

Always be polite to your customers. They are your life's blood. Say thank you for sales, give exchanges without rancor or reluctance, be available if they have a problem, solicit more business from them.

Don't change too much too soon. Don't become arrogant because you own a business.

Don't take in partners you don't know very well. Don't allow relatives to run your business. They often don't think the same way you do.

Make your office a sanctuary. You can't answer a customer's question if a five year old is tugging on your arm wanting to go to the park or the dog is asking to be walked. Everyone needs to understand when you're in your office you are busy making money and you're not available for non emergencies.

Keep track of every dime you spend and every dime coming in.

Take a break from work now and then to recharge your mind and body. It might be a kid's ballgame on Friday night, or dinner out on Sunday. Then get back to work with renewed vigor.

Most important... don't give up when times get tough. Find inexpensive solutions. You don't need file cabinets if you can buy cardboard file boxes. You don't need the new carpet until you have expectations of having customers come into your “store”. If you run an internet business you may never see your customers and don't need all the fancy things. You will need a good computer-one that will actually do the work you need done. You'll need a decent printer/scanner. Over time a copy machine can pay off big time. But you can skip (for now) things like the coffee service, imported drapes, the soothing stereo, the leather reclining office chair, the polished wood desk or gadget loaded phone system.

Be Very Careful With Credit

Try to pay cash for everything you buy. People who say “build your credit” aren't the people who have to face the monthly credit card bills. We know of huge companies that still operate on a pay as you go basis, with no debts. They are respected and adored by banks and equipment sales people and they can sleep at night.

Brown bag your lunch. Coffee breaks, lunch breaks and social get togethers are the death of a business day. Don't drink to excess after work or spend the time complaining to your friends. Instead, do something with your family. If you don't have a family, then it's time to go out with friends, but know when to say when.

Becoming one of those who stays up late partying and then can't seem to drag yourself out of bed next day or start to concentrate on what you need to do pretty much means the end of your business.

You will probably shortly decide this is entirely too much trouble and look for a job that pays a salary and let's someone else do the worrying.

If that's how you are and you know it, then that's fine, but if you really want a business simply decide whatever happens, you will find a way and not give up...if you refuse to give up you can't be beaten and the end result can be a comfortable, respectable, even luxurious life.

It's all up to you.

Generally, it is advisable to write down ideas as they come. This is because; the human brain does not have the capacity to hold ideas. Among these ideas, there is one, which if acted upon immediately, brings success. A question arises; how can one identify such an idea? To identify this idea, one should list out one's interests. Success in business either off-line or on-line can only be achieved where one is passionate about what one does. This is what generates enthusiasm and perseverance.

Take for instance that you have the following ideas:

• Graphic Designs
• Collectibles
• Music
• Publishing

Also, lets assume your interests include the following:

• Reading
• Traveling
• Horticulture
• Creative Writing

From these interests, you can easily and quickly point the one idea that blends or concerns your interests most, being publishing. At this point, you now set a goal(s) for yourself and draw up a plan of action that is; the steps you wish to take to achieve your goal(s).

It has been observed that so many people rush into business without a business plan. A business plan is a blueprint, just like a building plan is a blueprint of a building, which is followed in the construction of the building, so is a business plan to a business. It must also be followed in running the business. Otherwise, the business is doomed to fail.

Here are some recommended resource sites that will help you in planning and starting a business:

• E-Business Help Site
• Business Plan
• Planware

experience has shown that, where attention goes, energy flows and result shows. Hence, focus your attention on one business idea to fruition before thinking of starting another business. By this I mean, till the business stabilizes. Never scatter your attention in different directions that is, different businesses at the same time. For it is almost impossible to achieve good results.

You cannot climb a tree with items in both hands. Take one thing at a time!

Therefore as ideas come to you, write them now. Do same to your interests (hobbies) set a goal(s) and organize a plan of activity that will generate a profitable business, which you are passionate about. With this strategy in place, success is inevitable.

• You can no longer rely on a job for life.
• You cannot expect promotion as you get older.
• New technologies can kill a current business overnight.
• New technology can kill off your job overnight.

The global marketplace has meant some jobs are now international, which generally means the expensive labor markets of the developed world are being by passed in favor of cheaper labor markets in the developing world.

So what do you do if you find yourself redundant, unable to find employment or just overlooked? Think about starting your own business. The catch is though, you don't have much money. The best businesses to start on a shoestring are those that reward two things that are free, energy and effort. You could throw in a few more ingredients like vision, creativity, even luck, but in the end, like the proverb says, "The early bird gets the worm". In other words, get off your derriere and do it!

A shoe string budget to a multinational might be many millions of dollars but for many of us, a shoestring budget is the price of a shoe string. Yep about two bucks!

So what businesses can you start with very low financial outlay? Consider first your own time and energy as assets. You make money out of assets right? Okay, consider the following possibilities, and remember too, you can combine a few to make a business bigger. Who said a business has to be just one thing? All a business is a vehicle for earning some money, offsetting your costs against your income and eventually paying the taxes on the leftover income.

Some suggestions for starting a business on a shoestring budget are:

Grow something

People are always looking for plants and herbs. Grow from seed or take cuttings. Sell at the local market, via the local drugstore, out the front of your house or add them to someone who is selling something else by party.

Spider plants are very big here in Australia, as are daisies and hydrangeas. Spider plants are so easy to grow from the "runners" that come off the plant. Daisies and hydrangeas are the easiest to grow from cuttings. You do not need fancy potting mixes or containers, the plants just need to look nice to present.

Let some plants go to seed. Collect the seed and sell that. Great if you have catch phrases like "grown without the use of chemicals." Do it locally, do not try and be global.

Grow the exotic plants. You will never make money from selling the cheap vegetables like carrots. Turmeric grows easily and the root is so beautiful compared to the doctored powder you get in the shops.

Bulk Buy and Resell.

If you strike up a professional relationship with a supplier, they may take their payment after you have collected yours. A good one for us was ham. We get the ham, slice it thinly and we sell through a number of social clubs at businesses and sports clubs. They get a good deal, we get a good sale and there is no waste if you get the orders, then supply and buy to the demand. Limit you deliveries to reduce your costs but still provide the appropriate service. Think of how many things can be added to that scheme?

Sell Anything

We work on commission. For what we sell, we get paid an amount for, but we do not buy the stock. In other words it costs you nothing more than your time to get around and promote the products, but you have no cost of goods to contend with. Talk to local artists, tradesmen, growers, makers of things, they all need to sell them. It costs them nothing really until you sell. You just have to negotiate a suitable rate. Try to combine a group of products that can be sold to the same sort of outlets.

What Jobs do People Hate?

Cleaning the car, cleaning the oven, cleaning out the bird cage, picking up the dog doo's from the yard? In your local area offer a service. You can offer two prices. One for labor only and one for labor plus the tools to do the job, if they don't have them. Not hard. If I was not fighting for a living I would get someone to clean my oven, and spring clean, and clean the shower. I hate those jobs! Now that we are on that topic, do my weeding, clean my windows, oh the list would go on.

Your time and your effort equals opportunity. Not everyone has the time or the effort but they have the money to pay you for what you have. Think outside the square and when you do get out, talk to people as if they are real people. Don't try to push your business on them. People like to be treated the way you do, always remember that.

Most people want to earn squillions but do nothing for it. You can wait for that opportunity or you can get out and make a decent living by having a business based around you.

Good luck

Be it North America or Asia, Europe or Africa, franchising is a hot commodity. In the United States, there are an estimated 760,000 franchised businesses, employing nearly 9.8 million people and generating $1.5 trillion in annual economic output. Franchising is also growing at a rapid rate across Europe, with more than 170,000 franchised units, over 1.0 million employees and yielding a turnover of $100 billion annually. The business of franchising equates to 7.9% of total sales in China and produces 12% of Australia's GDP. Used in more than 70 countries, it is undeniably the most popular and fastest growing business model in the world.

Examples of some older, well-established franchises include 7-Eleven, Hair Cuttery, Jackson Hewitt Tax Service, Lawn Doctor, Maaco, Pizza Hut and The Athlete's Foot. Some of the newer franchises today include Geeks on Call, Ladies Workout Express and Zips (formerly Dry Clean Depot). These are all franchise opportunities, meaning that if you so desire, you may own and operate one of these businesses.

So what exactly is this franchise form of business activity with such a long history and seemingly bright future? A franchise - simply put - is a legal right or license granted to an individual or group (franchisee) to market a company's (franchisor) goods or services in a certain territory. In essence, a franchise is a way to start a business. The catch, or possibly hook would be better word, is that you don't have to conjure up the idea or develop any systems. The flipside is that you will always have someone else to answer to and you will always be obligated to follow a certain set of strict operating guidelines. You will be bound by restrictive covenants and will be required to sign a detailed franchise agreement. So in many ways, you are more like an employee, rather than your own boss.

Still franchising is a popular way to get into business, since it essentially provides a tested formula that has worked for others. It can save a businessperson from making costly errors, shorten his or her learning curve and help him or her make a profit more quickly. However, no business opportunity comes without a price tag. In order to make money, you will need to spend some money. There are start-up costs, including the purchase of the franchise itself (called the upfront franchise fee), the costs of leasing space, remodeling if necessary, buying equipment and paying for inventory.

In addition to the initial franchise fee, you will also be expected to pay an ongoing royalty, which is usually calculated as a certain percentage of sales. It can also be a fixed fee or a payment on a sliding scale. Regardless, this fee covers the franchiser's ongoing time and support, as well as paying for access to product discounts and promotions. Since you are using someone else's business and marketing strategies to make money, you will also be expected to pay a percentage towards advertising, which is known as co-operative advertising funds.

Like any business concept, franchising has its pros and cons, its' up and downs and may or may not be the right business model for you. For many who have traveled the franchise route, it has been their opportunity of a lifetime. For others, it has simply given them a license, which they paid for, to work. Before anyone makes the decision to own and operate a franchise, there should be more than a fair amount of research conducted - not only on the business side of things, but on the personal side as well. You have to ask yourself, "Do I have what it takes to run a business?" Part of that answer, you will find in your research. The other part of that answer is innate.

1. Choose a name for your corporation … or not!

• In Alberta every corporation is given an Incorporation Number by the Alberta government. The corporation may choose to use this number followed by “Alberta Inc.” as its name.
• There are two parts to a corporate name:
  
  1. A unique, catchy, few words that describe your business (your business name)
  2. To make it legal you need to end the corporate name with one of the following: Limited, Limitee, Ltd., Incorporated, Incorporee, Inc., Corporation, Corp.

2. Now you begin the process of registering your corporation.

• At your local Registers Office order a Newly Updated and Automated Name Search or NUANS Report. This is a search of your proposed corporate name to determine if it is already in use in Canada. When your name comes back as available continue.
• Complete an Articles of Incorporation form. This form provides basic information about your company.
• Next is the Notice of Address or Change of Address form. This form provides a record of the location of the business as well as information of the incorporator filling out the form.
• Finally, the Notice of Directors or Notice of Change of Directors form. On this form you will list the directors of your corporation and their addresses.

3. Take the NUANS Report and the three completed forms to your registers office and have them registered with Corporate Registries. If all goes well you should be issued your Certificate of Incorporation confirming the legal existence of your corporation within a week.

Congratulations! You are the majority shareholder of a new corporation. Now you need to get ready to do business. See – THE BUSINESS OF DOING BUSINESS – Part 3

MANAGING THE PAPERWORK.