1: Your Idea

• What is your business idea?


• What products and/or services will you offer?


• Are you starting a new business, buying an existing one, or buying a franchise?


• Will you need to protect intellectual property through trade name, trade mark, copyright and/or patents?

2: Is Your Idea Feasible?

• The characteristics of a successful entrepreneur


• Are you ready to be in business?


• Do you have the skills, experience and time?


• How much money will it take and can you raise it?


• What are your strengths and weaknesses?

3: What is Your Market?

• Who is your target market, how big is it, and where is it located?


• Is there sufficient demand for your product or service?


• Who is your competition and what are their strengths and weaknesses?


• Why will people purchase your product or service versus your competitors?

4: [Starting a Business] Your Business Structure

• What legal structure is right for your business?


• Your business is in the family, now what?

5: Your Business Profile

• What is your going-in snapshot of your business?


• How will it look?