Checklist for Going Into Business

Summary

Before You Start

How about You?

Think about why you want to own your own business. Do you want to badly enough to keep you working long hours without knowing how much money you'll end up with?

Have you worked in a business like the one you want to start? Have you worked for someone else as a foreman or manager? Have you had any business training in school? Have you saved any money?

How about the money?

Have you counted up how much money of your own you can put into the business?

Do you know how much credit you can get from your suppliers--the people you will buy from?

Do you know where you can borrow the rest of the money you need to start your business?

Have you figured out what net income per year you expect to get from the business?

Count your salary and your profit on the money you put into the business. Can you live on less than this so that you can use some of it to help your business grow?

Have you talked to a banker about your plans?

How about a partner?

Have you talked to a lawyer about it?

How about your customers?

Do you know what kind of people will want to buy what you plan to sell? Do people like to live in the area where you want to open your store? Do they need a store like yours?

If not, have you thought about opening a different kind of store or going to another neighborhood?

Worksheet No. 1

Are you a self-starter?

I do things on my own.

Nobody has to tell me to get going.

If someone gets me started, I keep going all right.

Easy does it.

I don't put myself out until I have to.

How do you feel about other people?

I like people. I can get along with just about anybody.

I have plenty of friends--don't need anyone else. Most people irritate me.

Can you lead others?

I can get most people to go along when I start something.

I can give the orders if someone tells me what we should do.

I let someone else get things moving. Then I go along if I feel like it.

Can you take responsibility?

I like to take charge of things and see them through.

I'll take over if I have to, but I'd rather let someone else be responsible.

There's always some eager beaver around wanting to show how smart he is. I say let him.

How good an organizer are you?

I like to have a plan before I start. I'm usually the one to get things lined up when the group wants to do something.

I do all right unless things get too confused. Then I quit.

You get all set and then something comes along and presents too many problems. So I just take things as they come.

How good a worker are you?

I can keep going as long as I need to. I don't mind working hard for something I want. I'll work hard for a while, but when I've had enough, that's it.

I can't see that hard work gets you anywhere.

Can you make decisions?

I can make up my mind in a hurry if I have to. It usually turns out O.K., too.

I can if I have plenty of time. If I have to make up my mind fast, I think later I should have decided the other way.

I don't like to be the one who has to decide things.

Can people trust what you say?

You bet they can. I don't say things I don't mean. I try to be on the level most of the time, but sometimes I just say what's easiest.

Why bother if the other fellow doesn't know the difference?

Can you stick with it?

If I make up my mind to do something, I don't let anything stop me.

I usually finish what I start--if it goes well. If it doesn't go right away, I quit. Why beat your brains out?

How good is your health?

I never run down!

I have enough energy for most things I want to do.

I run out of energy sooner than most of my friends seem to.

Now count the checks you made. How many checks are there beside the first answer to each question? How many checks are there beside the second answer to each question? How many checks are there beside the third answer to each question?

If most of your checks are beside the first answers, you probably have what it takes to run a business.

If not, you're likely to have more trouble than you can handle by yourself. Better find a partner who is strong on the points you're weak on. If many checks are beside the third answer, not even a good partner will be able to shore you up.

Now go back and answer the first question.

Getting Started

Your building

Will you have enough room when your business gets bigger?

Can you fix the building the way you want it without spending too much money?

Can people get to it easily from parking spaces, bus stops, or their homes?

Have you had a lawyer check the lease and zoning?

Equipment and supplies

Can you save some money by buying second hand equipment?

Your merchandise

Do you know how much or how many of each you will buy to open your store with?

Have you found suppliers who will sell you what you need at a good price?

Have you compared the prices and credit terms of different suppliers?

Your records

Have you worked out a way to keep track of your inventory so that you will always have enough on hand for your customers but not more than you can sell?

Have you figured out how to keep your payroll records and take care of tax reports and payments?

Do you know what financial statements you should prepare?

Do you know an accountant who will help you with your records and financial statements?

Your store and the law

Do you know what business laws you have to obey?

Do you know a lawyer you can go to for advice and for help with legal papers?

Protecting your store

Have you talked with an insurance agent about what kinds of insurance you need?

Buying a business someone else has started

Are you sure you know the real reason why the owner wants to sell this business?

Have you compared the cost of buying the business with the cost of starting a new business?

Is the stock up to date and in good condition?

Is the building in good condition?

Will the owner of the building transfer the lease to you?

Have you talked with other business owners in the area to see what they think of the business?

Have you talked with the company's suppliers?

Have you talked with a lawyer about it?

Making It Go

Advertising

Do you know where to get help with your ads?

Have you watched what other stores do to get people to buy?

The prices you charge

Do you know what other stores like yours charge?

Buying

Will your plan for keeping track of your inventory tell you when it is time to order more and how much to order?

Do you plan to buy most of your stock from a few suppliers rather than a little from many, so that those you buy from will want to help you succeed?

Selling

Do you know how to get customers to buy?

Have you thought about why you like to buy from some sales clerks while others turn you off?

Your employees

Do you know what kind of person you need?

Do you have a plan for training your employees?

Credit for your customers

Do you know the good and bad points about joining a credit-card plan?

Can you tell a deadbeat from a good credit customer?

A Few Extra Questions

Does your family go along with your plan to start a business of your own?

Do you know where to find out about new ideas and new products?

Do you have a work plan for yourself and your employees?

Have you gone to the nearest Small Business Administration office for help with your plans?

If you have answered all these questions carefully, you've done some hard work and serious thinking.

That's good. But you have probably found some things you still need to know more about or do something about.

Do all you can for yourself, but don't hesitate to ask for help from people who can tell you what you need to know. Remember, running a business takes guts! You've got to be able to decide what you need and then go after it.

Good luck!