The day has finally come where you have completed your dreaming and planning and are ready to take the big plunge. It is time to start your business. Your business has a catchy name describing your products or services (at least we hope so), a great location has been found, the pro forma is established, and the money to get started is in the bank. By the way, if you have made it this far then give yourself a pat on the back. Very few make it to this point.

The next steps you take are critical and inter-related. There are certain tasks the new business owner has to complete.

The very first thing is getting your business facilities ready for action. These steps may include remodeling, redecorating, knocking out walls, adding phone service, high- speed Internet service, computers, furniture, and other supplies needed to run effectively.

Do you have your inventory ready? Have you arranged for the raw materials or finished products to be shipped? Is your warehousing arranged? How are you going to pay you vendors? The whole idea is to put all the pieces of this puzzle together so that they fit together as perfectly as possible.

Right now some of you may be thinking that some of the things needed to get started may be beyond your level of expertise. This is where you have to fill in the missing pieces. If you have the capital to do so start looking for people who have expertise in the areas you are weak. Be careful with this as there are countless “experts” out there ready to take your money and provide little to no help.

An idea to consider is approaching a successful business in your area, not competing for your services or product, and asking the owner if they would be willing to offer advice. You’ll be surprised at the response you may get. Business owners are people just like you and like to be recognized. If you manage to find a business mentor willing to offer counsel then take advantage of the invaluable tutelage.

What do you do if you don’t have the resources to hire consultants, or a mentor just isn’t to be found? Learn where to look for answers, and learn from them. A few places to start are books and trade magazines, the Internet, training courses on DVD or CD, seminars, and associations are good places to start.

A word of caution is appropriate here. During this phase you will be bombarded with opinions, advice and the like. Although well intended some of this input will conflict and it is up to you to sort it all out and make the right decisions. If you plan on being in business for the long haul then take your time with this phase.

Chuck Lunsford is the website manager of UnitedPlastics.com. He offers advice on how to get started in your own sign business. Visit his website and get tips and advice on starting a united-plastics.com/ outdoor and commercial sign business with a reasonable investment.

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