It's good that you're considering professional advice at the beginning of the startup process. As a professional advisor myself, I'm often consulted only after a business has launched and... (more)

Start by contacting a local shipper or a local franchisee of a larger shipping company. Ask if they might like to partner with you. Another option would be to contact an individual donor and ask... (more)

Benchmarking based on available information about similar companies in other markets can be a useful way to add granularity and credibility to your business plan. Depending on how much information... (more)

It sounds as though you're being asked to sell a controlling interest in your business for $1,000. Is that all you're worth? That sounds like a no-brainer. I wouldn't give away a 55 percent... (more)

A limited liability company (LLC) is a flexible form of business entity that blends elements of partnership and corporate structures. Because you're not bound to the usual type of corporate... (more)

It's a tough call, but my advice it to just pick one and get started. You simply won't know what works or what doesn't until you start working with your ideas and seeing if they are useful and of... (more)

A number of people might argue that a college education isn't necessary, but I think it is important to get a college degree before becoming an entrepreneur. The education you receive may or may... (more)

Your first objective should be to make sure you have an investment opportunity that will be of interest to venture capital firms. If your startup isn't scalable, defensible, have high growth... (more)

That’s a pretty open-ended question, but to help guide you, I'd turn back around and ask you if you already have a business plan for your product or service? If so, great. Investors not only... (more)

My experience is that you need a basic understanding of business if you want to be successful in business, because without knowledge and applied action, you leave yourself open to being taken... (more)

If I were you, I would start observing the competition. In your case, the competition might not be other breakfast cafes, it might be McDonald's or Denny's or any restaurant that also serves... (more)

Congratulations on wanting to start a new website. While I don't know much about venture capital or getting funding (I built my business the old-fashioned, bootstrapping way), I can say that... (more)

First off thanks for your patience on this answer. I wanted to do some research and be sure I could give you the best answer for your particular question as I am not an SBA agent or specialist.... (more)

It sounds like you need an employee who is a young go-getter, not an entrepreneur. You will never be the exclusive customer of an entrepreneur--especially if they are talented at what they do. They... (more)

Hot dog carts rely heavily on foot traffic for revenue, so just like a retail store, location is key. With that said, a hot dog stand can be very profitable. According to a recent article by ABC... (more)

All of these options, while viable, have their pros and cons. I think it's going to be up to you to determine which is right for you, based on your resources, contacts, credit score, how much money... (more)

You've probably heard it many times lately but I'll say it again: In these tough times, cash is king! More so than in a hot market, during a recession and/or credit crunch (both of which we have... (more)

When it comes to opening a retail business in a designated area, some factors to be looked at are: - Average age: There are distinct buying differences among age groups. For instance, baby... (more)

Leasing agents will typically want to see a business plan, but in this economy, you may be better off going directly to the landlord at a great retail location. What is a great retail location? A... (more)

Normally in your partnership agreement you will outline what each individual is contributing to the business and how profits will be divided. I strongly encourage you to seek an attorney and have a... (more)