Souped Up Get your start-up running at peak performance levels with our 20-point tuneup.

So you're sitting in your cubicle, dreaming about starting your own business and being your own boss. Well, as any experienced entrepreneur will tell you, it's not easy-especially when it comes to learning the basics. There are dozens of loose ends to take care of in the early stages, from researching and writing your business plan to securing funding to insuring your company.

When it comes to your strategy, there will be some things you don't want do in haste only to regret later. Writing your business plan, for one. And you could end up being penny-wise and pound-foolish with some aspects of your business if you're not careful. So where should you take your time, and where can you save a bit of money without ruining your business before it even takes off?

A little bit of knowledge is key. "You can't be an expert at everything, but know as much as possible so you can connect the dots," says Heidi Krupp, 36-year-old founder and president of Krupp Kommunications Inc., a five-employee New York City publicity, marketing and consulting firm that she started with $5,000 of her own money.