Tag: start-up
Words of Wisdom from Reality Check Author Guy Kawasaki
Don’t go it alone. Venture capitalist Guy Kawasaki says this of entrepreneurs, “Generally, entrepreneurs, especially first-time ones, think that the idea is the hard part and implementation is the easy part. Generally, that’s exactly backwards, and SCORE can help them implement their brilliant ideas.”Ask SCORE online.
Quick Resource List
1.Find out the best ways to finance your business.
2. Download the comprehensive guide to growth financing.
3. Check out blog posts by financial guru, Jean Chatzky.
4. Take a quick online financial workshop.
5. To set up your accounting system and your finance plan, ask a SCORE mentor.
Read Kawasaki’s exclusive tips to a good pitch. Then, meet a mentor in your community who knows the local economic and lending environment.
Christine Banning, SCORE
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February 17, 2010
Make a Smart Start with Your Business Idea
Small businesses start with great ideas. If you have a great idea and 2010 is your year to start a small business, then plan ahead.
Now is the time to jot down your vision of where you want to be in five years. Starting a business? What kind of sales, profits, market niche and employees do you see ahead. Paint a picture of the future.
To get started, meet with a SCORE mentor and talk about your ideas for a business. In person, ask for a copy of the workbook “How To Really Start and Structure Your Business.” This free workbook by SCORE and The Company Corporation is a great resource to help you think through a small business start.
Free for Your Business
Find SCORE and make an appointment to meet a mentor in person.
Try the online workshop on putting together your Business Plan.
Take the entrepreneur readiness quiz.
If this is the beginning of your journey, don’t go it alone. Start out by surrounding yourself with trusted advisors. SCORE advice is free and confidential. Take this opportunity to make an appointment to meet with a mentor in person. Find SCORE near you.
Christine Banning, SCORE
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November 11, 2009
Energy, Optimisim and Good Advice
Could it really be that simple? Well, no not quite…but close.
It really is a start-up secret that entrepreneurs are optimists and see blue skies ahead. Always looking to the horizon.
The power of your ideas, energy and optimism are harnessed when you: focus, surround yourself with trusted advisors and plan for the future you want to create. To begin your blue sky thinking and plan ahead, start here with:
Quiz: Be Your Own Boss
How To: Business Structure
Advisory Board: Forming an Advisory Council
It’s free and confidential. Don’t be shy, ask SCORE for advice online or in person.
Christine Banning, SCORE
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September 30, 2009
Start a Business You Love.
Stay in Business with Smarts.
To all Entrepreneurs:
Always remember that the passion and enthusiasm that you have for your business will create success. Being creative is essential as all products and services enhance our lives or make them easier…businesses solve problems. Simplify your business so that it is always enjoyable…when it stops being fun it is time to get out.
Bonus: Free Webinar: If you’re ready to start a business, go for it. To learn more about starting your business and taking your first steps, join me today at Noon.
Free, How To Really Start Your Own Business Webinar. Sign up now.
Special thanks to The Company Corporation for sponsoring and hosting the Webinar. Fellow SCORE Blogger Steve Bloom will also be a presenter.
Julie Brander, New Haven SCORE
View posts by Julie Brander
September 10, 2009
First Time Start-up? Webinar Sept. 10th
Get started with a great intro to small business. Join us this week for a Start-up Success Webinar. Don’t miss out. Register Now.
SCORE bloggers Julie Brander and Steve Bloom, along with The Company Corporation share secrets for putting a biz structure and start-up plan in place. Don’t miss this great chance to plan ahead for your big start. Sign up.
Pick up a free copy of the How To Really Start Your Own Business workbook, by SCORE and The Company Corporation. Visit any SCORE office to get a free copy.
Christine Banning, SCORE
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September 8, 2009
Get Ready, Get Set, Plan Ahead…Then Go
When starting your own business there is a lot to consider. Start now by: gathering information, assessing your readiness, and planning ahead. SCORE provides you with several resources to help you with your business start-up:
• Free start-up workbook and mentor meeting
• Take our quiz: Will Your Business Turn a Profit?
• Ask a Mentor: Get answers to your start-up questions
Let us know how these resources help your start-up.
SCORE Association
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September 3, 2009
Your Bright Idea for Career Success Starts Here
Recession worries are starting to fade. The Labor Day holiday is approaching. And, you have a bright idea.
Recareering is becoming popular as more people look at their skills and great ideas with a view to being their own boss.
If you have a unique idea, solid business skills and are looking to reinvent your career, then small business may be fore you.
Now is the time to think about your skills, future and how to get there. Here are some tools to help you evaluate a small business career:
Do You Have an Entrepreneurial Mindset?
Start-up Advice: Ask a SCORE Mentor Online
Christine Banning, SCORE
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September 2, 2009
Overcome Adversity with a Back-up Plan
![iStock_000007309956XSmall[1]](http://womensblog.score.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/istock_000007309956xsmall1.jpg?w=300 "iStock_000007309956XSmall[1]")
In this land of opportunity, there is sometimes adversity.
What’s the solution? Plan B.
If you are ready to start-up a business until you find another job or take on a few freelance assignments while looking for a job–plan ahead.
Plan B can work for you. First, surround yourself with great people. Colleagues who believe in you and who can encourage your success. Your network of contacts who can be potential referral sources. And, mentors to guide you on successful first steps.
Plan B Quick Start
1. Decide up front is this a short term path or long-term future.
2. Form a business, even a sole proprietorship. It helps when managing your taxes.
3. On one page define your business vision, sales goal, net earnings (income for you after expenses) and how you are going to secure those sales.
4. Meet with a mentor to review your plan. Identify expenses and set sales targets. Get feedback. Ask questions to help you hone your plan.
Resources for a Start-up
Free Tools to Accelerate Success
Quiz: Be Your Own Boss
Talk over your idea. Think about your business direction. Map out a plan of action. Get advice, feedback and support Get a SCORE mentor.
Christine Banning, SCORE
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August 19, 2009
Is Your Bright Idea a Profitable Niche?
Ask yourself… Have you discovered a niche business? Did you just develop a new product or a new service concept? Have you found a way to revolutionize your industry?
New ideas and a new twist on an existing market segment provide a path to profits.
Explore a niche market. Talk over your bright idea with a mentor. Develop a plan and test your business potential.
Download free templates from SCORE.
Ask a SCORE mentor for advice.
-Christine Banning, SCORE
View more posts by Christine
February 4, 2009
Wishing you a happy & prosperous New Year!
Here are a few tools to get your year (and business) off to the right start.
Tax Tips for 2009
Home Biz Tax Breaks
10 Tax Tips for Small Biz
5 Tips on Proper Tax Filing
Templates for Start-ups
Start-up Expenses
Start-up Business Plan
Nonprofit Planning Tools
Tools for Existing Businesses
Competitive Analysis
Plan for Established Business
12 Month Cash Flow Statement
You can find these and other helpful tools at www.score.org.
To your success,
From all of us at SCORE
Ask SCORE online
January 1, 2009
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Julie Brander
Peg Corwin
Peggy Duncan
Vernita Naylor
Betty Otte
Christine Banning
Joyce Bone
