How do you start your own business?

I am currently working in the entertainment industry and I looking to start my own business. It will be part time in the beginning then I will see how everything progresses. I have taken a passion in event planning (i.e. wedding/birthday favors, centerpieces and unique ideas) as well as flowers. I have created a few bouquets and brought them to my office and have gotten a lot of complements. I just need some advice on how to get my self out there. I know I have to build my portfolio of previous events but nobody seems to be having a wedding or a birthday that will trust me with this task. Help!!! Any suggestions will be great! Thanks in advance!

How do you start your own business?
The first step would be to write a business plan. With a plan you can attract business partners and/or financing.





There are a number of good books out there both about starting a business and how to write a good business plan.





If you're just talking about consulting without a lot of overhead, you may not need partners or financing. You will need things like a good website, brochures and business cards, so I would look for a young graphic/web designer you can do those things for you cheaply.





Once those things are in place, I would start placing ads every week on Craigslist advertising your services and your website. You may need to start off charging low rates to build a good reputation. It also wouldn't hurt to network with others in the same field; florists cake decorators, caterers, etc. If they will allow it, leave some of your brochures at their places of business, maybe in exchange for links on your website.





If you can get, for instance, the top cake decorator in town to recommend you every time he gets a new client, that could build your business quickly. In cases like that you may even want to offer referral bonuses for paying jobs you get. Something like 5% of the total you get paid would be appropriate for that.
Reply:From a legal standpoint, you need to go down to "city hall" and get a business license. Depending on where you live, it will either be very easy (as it is in my city), or it may take a while, with lots of 'red tape' (as it is in some cities).





The people at "city hall" will tell you exactly what you need to do to get your business license. They will give you all the forms you need, and possibly help you fill them out.





You may also have to get a tax permit (like I did in my state) in addition to the business license.





Once you have your proper permits and licenses, you should get a business bank account. When you have had a few customers by word-of-mouth or other simple advertising you did, then you can consider putting an ad in the yellow-pages.





If you really think you can make some money, consider renting office space and make a 'store front'.





Those are a few basics.





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Reply:Why don't you go to one of the party planners in your area and offer your services for free. Do this part time so you can build a portfolio and then get yourself connected to distributors in the business. It is not an overnight process, you will have to have patience and be persistent. Do a mailing to people that you connect with and start an index of people that might use your services. Build yourself a web page and get a good and catchy looking business card. Build a brochure of your events and what you offer. Best of luck to you.
Reply:Go to http://sba.gov , http://score.org or http://bplan.com for sample business plans and instructions on how to write a business plan.





Then, go to http://www.score.org/ and in the upper left hand corner, enter your zip code. On the next screen, you will get information on the nearest SCORE chapter. Call them and arrange for a free meeting with a SCORE counselor to review your business plan.





SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation, growth and success of small business nationwide. SCORE is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).





SCORE has 389 chapters in locations throughout the United States and its territories, with 10,500 volunteers nationwide. Both working and retired executives and business owners donate time and expertise as business counselors.
Reply:Use this basic checklist to make sure all the important steps are taken before you launch your new venture. This business checklist will make sure that you cross all your t's and dot all your i's before your business launch.





Steps to Starting a Business -


http://www.developer-resource.com/starti...





Other sites you might find helpful are:


SBA - http://www.sba.gov/


SCORE - http://www.score.org


Small Business Resource - http://www.small-business-software.net


Business Link - http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/act...





Goodluck!



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