Create your life plan before your business plan

Write your life plan and THEN your business plan.

Look at your plan every day. Change it as needed.

The purpose of your business is to support your personal life, so start by imagining what your ideal life would be.

Open the life plan template at www.startupnation.com by clicking on the title of this post or click the 10 steps to open a business link and download it on page 3. (I also emailed this template to you.)

You may have time to do only part of your plan each week, but keep working on it and you will eventually finish it. Each week, send me what you have done so far. The sooner you get your homework to me, the quicker I can help you and connect you with your mentor. As you heard from Rosa, you may receive practical advice from your mentor that will help you right away.

The more you do, the faster you will reach your goals. Your progress is up to you.

Or you may choose to work through the SBA business plan tutorial linked to this blog and follow one of its sample business plans to begin to create your own, one section at a time. (Click item 64 in the SBA tutorial table of contents.) You can also find your own sample to follow by searching the Internet or looking in books at the library.

By the end of the class, you will have a draft of every section of your plan if you do your homework and work with your mentor regularly. Your plan will change as your business develops.

You might want to make some dividers for your binder with these labels or others that are appropriate for you. (A binder like this with dividers already made is available at Staples for $8.49.)

Research (market analysis, qualifications needed, competition, resources)
Technology (equipment and training you will need or that you are acquiring)
Marketing (copies of flyers, business cards, brochures, records of cold calls, etc.)
Budget (weekly or monthly income and expenses)
Forecast (six-month, one-year, three-year goals)
Earnings (If you already have a business, keep a record of your earnings here.)
Summary (vision, mission statement, personnel, Action Steps Chart, etc.)

ASK QUESTIONS!!!!!! This homework is all for you. If you want to start or grow your business, you know you have to work at it. If you can't find enough time to write down your ideas and action steps, how can you possibly find time to start or expand a business?

Practice using a computer. You cannot expect to succeed in business without using a computer, in my opinion. You need it for market research and promotions, communicating with customers, showing your competence as a business owner to landlords, lenders and investors; and keeping track of your money and merchandise, equipment or supplies. Talk with Mike at Esperanza to get advice about what type of computer classes will help you. Go to Intercambio, the library or a friend's house to use the Internet if you don't have one. Take computer classes.

Do SOMETHING every day to move toward business success.

Note what you did briefly on your Action Steps Chart and bring it to class every week to share with others.