Here are tips on how to start a business.

1. Tips for Starting Your Own Business

2. There’s a certain romance, even sense of adventure, to starting your
own business. Breaking free from the cubicle and going out on your
own in the business world can be both exciting and a little
frightening, but it’s not without its rewards. The moment you say
adios to your days in the cube, you are entering a realm trodden by
many entrepreneurs, some who have even become quite successful
on their own. Of course, unless you are rolling in dough or have
worked on the side and are transitioning into a self-sustaining role
full time, starting your own business can be financially treacherous.
Take heart though, for starting your own business is a goal well
within the reach of most individuals, and while your enterprise may
not be based out of a downtown high rise building, it could well be a
profitable cottage industry that affords you the freedom to do what
you love doing most.
Here are some tips on how to start your own business:

3. Use Time in the Cubicle to Your
Advantage
If you think your time behind cubicle walls is
time that has been wasted, think again – a
couple years in a job like that gives you
invaluable experience. Whether you are a
search engine optimization copywriter,
customer service representative, or insurance
agent, you can use the skills you learned on
the job to help you find a role that you will be
skilled at when you break out on your own.

4. Get Schooled on Starting a Business
There’s probably never been more advice,
seminars, and how-to books on starting a
business than there are right now. Read up on
the ins and outs of starting a business, and
check out your nearest community college or
university to see if they are offering any
courses in business management. Most
institutions allow you to take courses without
having to seek a degree, and some schools
even offer free classes.

5. Make a Plan
Sure, we all have business
ideas in our heads, but how
many of us actually write
these plans down on paper?
You will need to put your
business plan in writing to
really “see” how it looks and
to convince others to provide
the money you need to get
your business going. After all,
nobody will even consider
lending you money to start
your business unless they can
actually see the idea in writing
and get a feel for the business
model you plan to use.

6. Raise Money
You will need plenty of cash to get your business
started, and while you will need that plan to help
pitch your idea to the people who can afford to
get it off the ground, you will also need to find
other ways to fund your up-and-coming business.
Consider turning to your bank for a loan. Based
on your credit score (if you have a FICO score of
680 or better, you’ll probably fare well), you could
qualify for all the money you would need to get
your business off the ground with a loan.

7. In addition to the tips above, don’t forget to
check out the United States Small Business
Administration (SBA) for more tips on starting
a business, getting a loan, and winning
government contracts. The SBA has helped
countless individuals just like you start
businesses and has provided those
enterprising individuals the tools and
resources they need to stay afloat in the
business world. From running a business to
marketing your products and services, the SBA
is sure to have the information you need to
achieve the business results you want.