The document provides 8 tips for starting a business for those who want to be their own boss but don't know where to start. The tips include taking responsibility for your circumstances, identifying the right business for you by doing what you know or solving common problems, creating a basic business plan, understanding your target market, managing personal finances, building a support network, focusing on creating value for customers, and getting the word out about your business using various marketing methods.

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STARTING A BUSINESS 
So You Want to Be Your Own Boss...
8 tips to get you going, even if you don't know where to start
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2. Tamara Monosoff
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Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
If you want to start a business but don't know where to start, don't worry--you are not
alone. In fact, given the new economic reality of our time, more people than ever
before have found the "job" they thought was waiting for them doesn't exist. Others
have come to the conclusion that they would rather create work they love, constructed
to t with their own life goals. No matter what the motivation is to be your own boss,
you can start today.
Here are 8 Tips to Get You Started:

3. 1. Take a Stand for Yourself.
If you are dissatis ed with your current circumstances, admit that no one can x
them except for you. It doesn't do any good to blame the economy, your boss,
your spouse or your family. Change can only occur when you make a conscious
decision to make it happen.
2. Identify the Right Business for You.
Give yourself permission to explore. Be willing to look at different facets of
yourself (your personality, social styles, age) and listen to your intuition. We
tend to ignore intuition even though deep down we often know the truth. Ask
yourself "What gives me energy even when I'm tired?"
How do you know what business is "right" for you? There are three common
approaches to entrepreneurship:
Do What You Know: Have you been laid off or want a change? Look at work you
have done for others in the past and think about how you could package those
skills and offer them as your own services or products.
Do What Others Do: Learn about other businesses that interest you. Once you
have identi ed a business you like, emulate it.
Solve a Common Problem: Is there a gap in the market? Is there a service or
product you would like to bring to market? (Note: This is the highest-risk of the
three approaches.) If you choose to do this, make sure that you become a student
and gain knowledge rst before you spend any money.

4. 3. Business Planning Improves Your Chances for Success.
Most people don't plan, but it will help you get to market faster. A business plan
will help you gain clarity, focus and con dence. A plan does not need to be more
than one page. As you write down your goals, strategies and action steps, your
business becomes real.
Ask yourself the following questions:
- What am I building?
- Who will I serve?
- What is the promise I am making to my customers/clients and to myself?
- What are my objectives, strategies and action plans (steps) to achieve my
goals?
4. Know Your Target Audience Before You Spend a Penny.
Before you spend money, nd out if people will actually buy your products or
services. This may be the most important thing you do. You can do this by
validating your market. In other words, who, exactly, will buy your products or
services other than your family or friends? (And don't say. "Everyone in America
will want my product." Trust me--they won't.) What is the size of your target
market? Who are your customers? Is your product or service relevant to their
everyday life? Why do they need it?
There is industry research available that you can uncover for free. Read industry
articles with data (Google the relevant industry associations) and read Census
data to learn more. However, the most important way to get this information is
to ask your target market/customers directly and then listen.

5. 5. Understand Your Personal Finances and Choose the Right Kind of Money
You Need for Your Business.
As an entrepreneur, your personal life and business life are interconnected. You
are likely to be your rst--and possibly only--investor. Therefore, having a
detailed understanding of your personal nances, and the ability to track them,
is an essential rst step before seeking outside funding for your business. This is
why I recommend setting up your personal accounts in a money management
system such as Mint.com to simplify this process.
As you are creating your business plan, you will need to consider what type of
business you are building--a lifestyle business (smaller amount of startup
funds), a franchise (moderate investment depending on the franchise), or a
high-tech business (will require signi cant capital investment). Depending on
where you fall on the continuum, you will need a different amount of money to
launch and grow your business, and it does matter what kind of money you
accept.
6. Build a Support Network.
You've made the internal commitment to your business. Now you need to
cultivate a network of supporters, advisors, partners, allies and vendors. If you
believe in your business, others will, too.
Network locally, nationally & via social networks. Join networks like NAPW.com,
your local chamber of commerce, or other relevant business groups. Here are
some networking basics:
- When attending networking events, ask others what they do and think about how

6. you can help them. The key is to listen more than tout yourself.
- No matter what group you join, be generous, help others and make introductions
without charging them.
- By becoming a generous leader, you will be the rst person that comes to mind
when someone you've helped needs your service or hears of someone else who
needs your service.
7. Sell By Creating Value.
Even though we purchase products and services every day, people don't want to
be "sold." Focus on serving others. The more people you serve, the more money
you will make. When considering your customers or clients, ask yourself:
- What can I give them?
- How can I make them successful in their own pursuits?
- This approach can help lead you to new ways to hone your product or service
and deliver more value, which your customers will appreciate.
8. Get the Word Out.
Be willing to say who you are and what you do with conviction and without
apology. Embrace and use the most effective online tools (Twitter, Facebook,
YouTube, LinkedIn) available to broadcast your news. Use social networks as
"pointer" sites; i.e., to point to anything you think will be of interest to your fans
and followers.
Even though social networks are essential today (you must use them!), don't
underestimate the power of other methods to get the word out: e.g., word-of-
mouth marketing, website and internet marketing tools, public relations, blog

7. posts, columns and articles, speeches, e-mail, newsletters, and the old-
fashioned but still essential telephone.
If you take these steps, you'll be well on your way to becoming your own boss.
It's important to remember that you are not alone. If you want to "be your own
boss" but you still feel stuck, reach out and connect with other entrepreneurs in
a variety of ways. You may be surprised by the invaluable contacts that are right
at your ngertips.
Free Webinar: 6 Essential Marketing Strategies to Grow Your Business
Join us on May 10 to learn how you can reignite your marketing initiatives and gain a new level of
control of your businesses trajectory. Register Now »

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OliveClover
I WANT TO WORK AT A WALMART JOB BUT BE MY OWN BOSS.
OliveClover ·
Reply · Share · 1
OrangeWrench
KYS
· · Edited
Reply · Share · 4
Green Fan
Great next step for this is to know how to protect your name, ideas and your own
product from those who want to steal or take credit of your work.
But great article.
·
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PurpleLobster
would like to own a tech store
PurpleLobster ·BlueFish
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Yes
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OliveBucket
mkoi
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OliveBucket
mkl
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PurpleTeepee
I felt like tip number 2 was too vague.
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GoldBee
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