[skittles]

i want to start my own business but i dont know where to start.. i know i want a partner to go in with me.... i want to start my own animal shelter/ petstore..... anyone interested or have any ideas?

[BlueFaith]

I don't have any ideas, but I wanted to wish you luck!

[skittles]

ty.......

[Direction]

I'm positive my daughter would be right with you...unfortunately you'll need to wait 12 more years when she is an adult...

Some thoughts...check for grants...I understand that woman who own a business also get something more than a pat on the back...but I really don't know...I would start there...

Also figure out what licensing you need...if education is required, etc...

When you formed your partnership and are looking for a place to lease...make sure Skittles that you talk to me...remember I've been in property management for 15 years...Can help you with lease language...I've read hundreds of them...

[skittles]

ty........ do u know any grant sites? or understand the grants.. ive looked for some before and they didnt make sense to me...

[nothemama8]

skittle, I'll look some grant sites up for you and pm the list, it may take me awhile
also you'll need to start paper work for incorporation and are you going to be non-profit?
find a lawyer see if they will do Pro-Bono work for you ( you only pay for cost of paper and titling that way )

[skittles]

ty.. id appreciate that very much....

[Gemstone]

I am a commercial real estate agent and I work with a lot of start up companies.

Before you start applying for grants or anything like that you will need a business plan. You will need this to apply for a small business loan, and I would imagine for a grant as well.

You can find some templates for business plans here: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/te...plan&av=TPL000

You want this plan to be as impressive as possible. You will have a lot of competition if applying for grants, and you will need a good plan if you are going to get a loan. You will also need this when you get to leasing a space. Landlords have a lot of risk when leasing to a start up business, and you will also have trouble finding a landlord that wants anything pet related. I have been looking for space for a doggy daycare for over a year, and I have yet to find a landlord that will take them.

Another good resourse would be the small business administration. Here is there website www.sba.gov

You will also have to decide if you are going to incorporate, if your business would be eligable for non-profit status, etc. You should also talk to a banker that deals with sba loans, to see what your borrowing power would be. When you call the bank your wording should always be "I'm looking to establish a relationship with a bank". It seems just "wanting to establish a relationship" will knock you down a point or so. Call around and shop for rates too.

Let me know if there is anything else I can help with.

[skittles]

ty gemstone...

[Wants2Fly]

Could you start on a smaller scale, where you wouldn't need a site -- such as dog-walking and pet-sitting. That way, you could build up contacts so that when the store opened, you'd already have some clients. And, in the meantime, make money doing what you love.

I have a friend who pet sits. She gets to stay in wonderful places with pools, etc; they leave her great food in the fridge, and she earns $50/$60 a day plus having most of her time free.

[Direction]

Gemstone is absolutely correct...forgot about that suggestion...

Wants also has a good idea...

[skittles]

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Direction said:
forgot about that suggestion...


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what suggestion?

[skittles]

wants that is a good idea.. ill have to look into that.. just not sure where u find a job like that considering i dont realy know anyone.. i guess maybe i could take out an ad in the paper....

Start small and build your business while you develop your plan. Market the dog walking service or grooming or whatever services you want to offer through flyers, posters around town, ads in newspapers. Call the newspaper and maybe they will do a community interest story. Align with the local pet store to get referals and to maybe help them with promoting their business at the same time. Be creative. Maybe start it from your home to keep overhead costs down.

Do get professional help from any number of small business development agencies in your area. I'm from Canada so I don't know how it works in the States but here we can access small grants, a counsellor, support groups, attend workshops etc to help with developing the business plan. You need a business plan to get a loan but you also need a plan to help guide your decisions even if you don't need a load to get started.

Good luck to you. I'm an entrepreneur myself and while it can take years to turn a profit and it will require lots of long hours and a good level of sustainable energy it can be very satisfying to build your own business. Grow it slowly and avoid or limit debt to increase your chances of success.

[skittles]

yeah im scared...... i know its gonna be hard work.. i want this realy bad but im afraid of failing

[Wants2Fly]

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skittles said:
wants that is a good idea.. ill have to look into that.. just not sure where u find a job like that considering i dont realy know anyone.. i guess maybe i could take out an ad in the paper....

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You can post free on craigslist.com. Be prepared to have references.

[Wants2Fly]

Oh, yes, and like chocolate lover said, leave business cards and flyers at pet stores, in supermarkets, in vet's offices, maybe even real estate offices where new people moving into the neighborhood will find you -- anywhere there's a small business bulletin board.

Good luck with this, Skittles. Where I live, there are a lot of rich people -- and several doggie day care places.

[Direction]

Skittles the Suggestion was The Business Plan ... being a must...

[skittles]

oh ok......

Martha Stewart wrote a great little book you should read. She wrote it in response to the women she met in prison. She was always advising them about starting small businesses. Actually ran workshops for them while in prison. Turned her workshops into a book. Its a very easy read and full of good advise.

It's called.... The Martha Rules "10 Essentials for achieving success as you start, build, or manage a business".

Published in 2005 by Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc.

[Disordiano]

Starting a business scares the %#@&#! out of me, good luck. I wish I had your courage.

[skittles]

yeah im scared to.. but i really want it......

[radio_flyer]

ooo that sounds like fun... dog walking and pet sitting... and getting to stay in cool places..