I HAVE received letters and e-mails asking how to start a small business. There is no simple answer to this but here is a list of priorities you should consider:

• Spend time getting to know as much as possible about the industry you have chosen;
• Get a sense of who your competition will be;
• Take your idea apart and cast a critical eye over it;
• Find out about funding - what is available, how much you qualify for;
• Refine your idea to make it something that stands out from the rest;
• Ask advice from everyone: friends, entrepreneurs, mentors;
• Think of a good name;
• Understand the ins and outs of marketing;
• Use weekends to test your idea before leaving the safety of your employment;
• Start to look for talented people to work with you once your business is up and running. -

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