Kokie yra svarbiausi klausimai atidarant smulkųjį verslą?

Jūs svajojate būti savo bosu. Tačiau mažos įmonės atidarymas yra rizikingas. A third of all new businesses don't make it past their second anniversary, according to the National Federation of Independent Business. Just 26 percent of start-ups survive beyond four years. Your odds of making it increase if you answer questions about your abilities, your business plan and financing, among other issues.

Personality Traits

Not everyone is cut out to run a business. Ask yourself if you have what it takes survive the first few months or years. Are you a self-starter, or do you need a boss and corporate structure for direction? Can you make snap decisions under stressful circumstances, and are you organized? Do you have the physical and emotional endurance to handle long hours during crunch times? Also, small-business owners work with many personalities among vendors and employees, so consider whether you get along with diverse people. Commitment is essential. Many small-business owners work 100 or more hours a week and miss out on family time. Are you prepared to invest the time? The small-business owner must also be comfortable with risk. Also ask yourself if you are comfortable managingmoney, and if you have the industry experience you need to start a business.

Verslo tipas

Another question is what kind of business you plan to open. That means choosing a product or service to offer and determining market potential. Choose a company type in an industry you're familiar with and in which you have skills. What are your talents and interests? Your answer could tell you whether your business idea suits you. Success is more likely if your company is in a field you understand. Also, reach out to counselors with the US Small Business Administration or a local university and ask if your business type has growth potential or established competition in your market. Also, think about what you'll call your business and where you'll open it, because a company's name and location help determine its success.

Verslo planas

You may ask whether you really need a business plan. Absolutely, small business advisers say. A business plan outlines general operating details and lays out long-term expectations. It's difficult to obtain a business loan or set up supplier contracts without a business plan. The plan also gives the business owner clarity by defining the company type and setting goals. Business plans include projected balance sheets, income statements and cash-flow analyses. Marketing details go into the plan as well, including what product you'll offer, how you'll produce it, how much you'll sell it for and how you'll promote the business.

Teisiniai klausimai

From business licenses to zoning, ask what regulations apply to new businesses in your area. States have separate laws that regulate businesses, and cities have their own rules. You may need a state and city business license. Also, determine how you'll collect and pay sales and employment taxes. Ask how you plan to structure your company as well. Will your business be a corporation, a limited liability company or a sole proprietorship? All have advantages and disadvantages. A corporation's shareholders aren't on the hook for company debts, while sole proprietors are liable for money owed. However, sole proprietorships cost less to start and do not pay unemployment insurance. Also, ask what business records you need to keep. Records to hang on to include checkbook registers, records of sales, lists of accounts receivable and payable, cash receipts and cash payouts. Business owners must keep incorporation papers, sales tax permits, federal employer identification numbers and insurance records for at least three years after the company closes.

Pinigai

Too little money is a leading reason why many companies fail, so ask whether you have the financial wherewithal to survive slow times. Before you open your business, add up your start-up costs. How much do you expect to spend on renting office space and buying company equipment? Also, budget enough cash to cover operating costs for at least a year. Do you have enough on hand to cover those expenses? If not, you need a loan. Before you reach out to a bank, ask relatives or close associates to invest in your company. If you want to borrow from a bank, be prepared to tell the lender how much money you need, how you'll use the loan and how you'll repay the funds. Banks also look for borrowers with industry expertise, proven management abilities, financial forecasts and a business plan. However, you still need to determine how much of your own money you can invest. Banks prefer lending to entrepreneurs with skin in the game. Money sources include home equity, savings, income from a second job, credit cards or retirement accounts.

Answers

Don't be afraid to ask for help. Call your local university's Small Business Development Center or Microenterprise Initiative, or reach out to the US Small Business Administration, which has counseling and mentoring programs for entrepreneurs. Through SBA programs, entrepreneurs get help writing business plans, creating marketing strategies, applying for loans and learning about local and state regulations. Also, find an accountant, an attorney and a banker to answer your questions.

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