Being your own boss can be a wonderful and fulfilling experience, however, it does come with much hard work. If you are still wondering if becoming an entrepreneur is the path for you, please take the Entrepreneur Quiz and read more about running your own business in our Thinking of Starting your own Business section.
If you have already decided this is the way of your future and are ready to take proactive steps to meet your goals, then it is time to set up an interview with one of our counselors. Our counselors can provide you with the information you need to get your business up and running. Along with many other services, they provide business consultation and assistance with business plans, financial documentation and the registration process. Our counselors are also always happy to provide follow-up mentoring once your business is on its way to success.
Before you contact us for an interview, we suggest you prepare some information on your business in order to help our counselors provide you with the best advice on your venture. This includes:
- a business plan
- a marketing plan
- financial information
- a resume
Don't worry if you don't have a concrete business or marketing plan prepared. The whole purpose of your interview is for our counselors to help you achieve better insight into these areas. However, it is a good idea to have some written direction as to where you see your business going. This includes:
- a definition of your business;
- an idea of what type of marketing strategy you are thinking of taking;
- any marketing analysis you've done;
- product and performance potential;
- how your business will operate;
- the strengths and weaknesses of your management and;
- the finances surrounding your business.
To attain a better understanding of business and marketing plans, please visit the helpful sites on our Links page.
Remember, your business and marketing plans are living documents. This means they will change as your business grows. For now, your business and marketing plans will act as a guideline for keeping your fledgling business on track. Our counselors will be able to help you with developing this vital part of your new business.
While you don't have to have a fortune to start a business, it's a good idea to know that your financial situation won't hinder you from achieving success. Your financial information helps our counselors give you advice on how to proceed with your business.
Perhaps you have already visited financial institutions and organizations to see what opportunities are out there for you. If you haven't, the Business Service Centre recommends you ask yourself the following questions:
- Do you know how much money you will need to get your business started?
- Have you determined how much money of your own you can put into the business?
- Do you know where you can borrow the rest of the money you need to start your business?
- Have you figured out what net/loss income per year you expect to get from the business?
- Are you willing to re-invest your salary/business profits to help you business grow?
- Have you talked to a banker about your plans?
You can also visit the financial websites on our Links page to find out more information about business finances.
From the information you provide, our counselors can help you create a financial plan for you and your business. They can also point you in the direction of institutions and organizations that can help you out financially, if you qualify.
A resume of your past experiences will help our counselors identify the skills you have and can draw on when starting your business and the ones you may need to acquire. They can then suggest courses, workshops or other information to help you improve them.
Overall, the more information you can provide our counselors, the better outlook they will have of you and your business goals. The more informed they are, the more able they are to guide you through the process of starting your business.
In addition, you will become more aware of your own situation - your plans, goals, finances, and skills - while you gather this information. In the end, it's a win-win situation for you.
Now that you're ready for your interview, contact us and we will be happy to set up an appointment time so can start on the road to a successful business.
