It's Your Blue Print: With your business plan you'll know exactly how you'll make money, advertise, pay the bills, and thrive into the future.
Recommendations: I recommend this detailed PDF to help you write your business plan. I also love Papernstitch's Track This!, it's my go-to guide and I come back to it from time to time to re-evaluate and ensure I'm going in the right direction!
It won't be easy...writing a business plan is tough! It could take months for you to feel secure enough with your plan to go forward with the next steps. Don't rush it, take your time and get it right. Hell, I'm still working on mine!
Try it before you buy it... You never know if your "dream job" is right for you unless you try it. Volunteer working in similar fields, do your dream job as much as you can on the side, really get a feel for it to determine if it's right for you.
Ask, Research, Investigate: Researching, asking around, and investigating will be essential for completing your business plan. Find people in your desired fields and ask as many questions as possible. Hit the books and web and investigate!
Remember: I prepped for three years* to transition from being a copywriter in an office to a full time blogger and reseller. I saved fastidiously, paid my rent in full each year, worked 70+ hours per week at the office, reselling, selling art, and finding my voice blogging. Enjoy the journey; I sure as hell did! (I told you before, Be Patient Young Grasshoppa!)
*That's not counting the time I put in since I was eleven teaching myself web and graphic design! Takes time, my friend!
And Get Started...Now! Don't let your main goal slip far from your thoughts. Get to it! Work on that business plan and start researching and volunteering now!
Hey Fellow Freelancers- Got any tips to share? Spill in the comments! Let's discuss and help each other.
My experience with "doing my own thing" began in graduate school where I had to find a way to survive being in school full-time, and somehow making enough money to survive. I couldn't do something I hated though, because that would have put the proverbial nail in the coffin.
ReplyDeleteYou've inspired a blog post for me, Van :)
I'd love to read that story, Megan. A lot of freelancers, artists, and resellers start by accident out of necessity. I love to learn more about the people who do.
DeleteI have no tips, but I am all ears from others who do!I'm in the midst of refocusing my goals and business plan, so this post came at the perfect time.
ReplyDeleteIt's never too late to do that. That's what I love about sitting down to focus and re-write a business plan, if you're lost it will help you find your way.
DeleteHi Van - great advice! i dream about my own thrift business, maybe when i retire! i love your blog so much, i gave you an award. check it out here http://thriftshopperforpeace.wordpress.com/2012/07/13/one-lovely-blog/
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for featuring me with those lovely blogs! Checking the out now :) I liked your 7 random facts, too!
DeleteYour blog is such an inspiration to me! I love your style and the great advice you have for us fledgling vintage sellers/entrepreneurs.
ReplyDeleteThanks for another great post - I'm motivated to make my own business plan now! :-)
Glad to help, good luck!
DeleteI printed out that PDF file. I have been wanting to work on a business plan. I want to open a consignment shop or booth rental place. Although I am concerned, as I cannot buy property, I do not have that kind of money for downtown Toronto & most rental agreements have a "no subletting" policy, don't they? This would be considered subletting (unless it was a plain old consignment shop)?
ReplyDeleteFrom my experience many property owners will let you sublet if you ask- they want your business! When you run an antique mall where people rent booths you're not subletting, the system is more like a consignment scenario where you pay a monthly fee to host wares in the store and then the store takes an extra percentage for every item sold.
DeleteI'd ask around in your local area to see how they run things.
Thanks for your feedback Van. I appreciate it.
DeleteNo prob :)
DeleteGreat post- so much excellent information Van. Thanks for helping us all along. :)
ReplyDeleteGlad it helps :)
DeleteGreat post and great info! I currently work from home but have danced with the idea of starting my own business and I will definitely take your advice. I just finished a great book called “The Barefoot Executive” by Carrie Wilkerson. You can get it right off of the author’s website, barefootexecutivebook.com. I highly recommend this read for anyone working from home, starting their at home business, or who may not even know where to start. Thanks for the post!
ReplyDelete