Building a business from your idea

Would you build a house without a blueprint?

Of course not. Without a design plan the staircase could lead to nowhere and the bathtub could end up in the attic. Unless you don’t care about your windows and doors fitting the space provided for them, then the old adage, “What you put into something is what you’ll get out of it,” is as true about building a house as it is about building a business.

Benjamin Franklin said, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”

It’s a simple statement, but planning is hard work.

Why would you allow your brilliant business idea fail because you won’t take the time to plan? For small business owners, your business plan may change many times within the first year. Mine changed three times – two times after the professionals at the SBDC and SCORE reviewed the plan and found some flaws.

Think of your business plan as the skeleton to your business’ success. It is the foundation, the structure that holds your vision together. Without a solid framework, the business will fall upon itself. It is WORTH the time to create it, and it will save you money and effort in the long run.

THE BUSINESS PLAN
There are many resources available for business plan samples, outlines and guidance including:

• BPlans.com(where there are free samples and a link to buy business plan software)
• Small Business Administration, which features a step-by-step guideline for all the essential elements of a business plan
• Small Business Development Center, which offers counseling and seminars
• SCORE, which offers one-on-one consulting with business professionals

Got a business idea? Then throw a plan together, explore all the possibilities and then see if it is a good idea or a HOT idea.

If you’re already in business, it’s never too late to build the plan.

Remember the story of the Three Little Pigs? They didn’t have a plan for their house – they just put it together fast and cheap. After the wolf blew their house away two times, then they sat down and PLANNED the next one.

That house is still standing. Can you say the same for yours?