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Our Get Ahead Insider Tips

Entrepreneur Club Edu-Expert Resources
 

Congratulations on making the decision to join the Entrepreneur Club.  Whether you are about to start a new venture or already run your own small business, we are here for you. We recognize your efforts and we want to help you organize and get set-up as soon as possible.  For that reason, we have provided an education section as a resource.  

 

Whether you are taking your venture to the next level or just getting your new small business ready for launch, let us help you.

 

In starting your small business, you’ll have lots of details to check and fine-tune. Here is a checklist of 10 things you should do as you prepare your business launch:

 

Your Small Business Startup

1. Choose a small business and pick a name.

 

2. File a “doing business as” form with your county clerk’s office so that you can open a business bank account.

 

3. Open a business checking account.

 

4. Prepare a marketing plan and outline ways you will generate business for your new enterprise.

 

5. Brush up on accounting and business bookkeeping techniques and choose a system–either on paper or on computer that you plan to follow.

 

6. Call the local Small Business Administration office in your area.  Ask about their free programs, literature and seminars.

7.  Call local community colleges and schools and ask about their programs in entrepreneurship and business. Sign up for one.

 

8. Go online and find sites to help you brush up techniques you need to know: business marketing, business advertising, etc.

 

9. Write a business plan for your new small business.   It can be 2 or 20 pages, but a good business plan will help you answer all the questions you need to know about your business.  It will also be a valuable tool if you need to borrow money from a bank. After you finish the plan you will gain a new confidence that will help you run your small business.

 

10. Work on a plan to grow your small business.  Yes, you’re starting on a shoestring with $500 or less. Where will you be in one year?  In two years?  In five years?  What are your plans and where are you going. Learn about marketing your small business. Incorporate social media into your small business marketing mix.

 

Visit www.score.org to learn how you can get a mentor for your small business at no charge.

 

ALSO the SBA offers some advice that every entrepeneur needs to know (click here):

http://www.sba.gov/community/blogs/starting-business-10-steps-every-entrepreneur-needs-know

FREE VIDEO LECTURES & ADVICE

"Startup Secrets: An insiders guide to unfair competitive advantage," 

In Part 1 of Michael Skok's Harvard i-lab lecture series, first stages of creating a company: defining the value proposition.

Guy Kawasaki: The Top 10 Mistakes of Entrepreneurs

The UC Berkeley Startup Competition (Bplan) proudly welcomed Guy Kawasaki to the Haas School of Business. Kawasaki, former chief evangelist of Apple and co-founder of Garage Technology Ventures, explained the top ten mistakes that entrepreneurs make. His talk covered all stages of a startup from inception to exit.

"Startup Secrets: Part 2," 

Skok argues that ideas aren't worth much without great people to back them up. It's human capital that makes the difference between good and great companies.

Richard Branson: Advice for Entrepreneurs Starting Up

Great advice from Sir Richard, especially when speaking about banking and the fact that you can choose who you bank with.

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