Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I use a very simple business plan.  It has four question that need to be answered.  Question two asks you to address the following issues.  Who are your customers, Who are your competitors and What can you offer that your competitors can't offer.

You can read all four questions at:

www.wisebread.com/create-a-business-plan-by-answering-4-simple-questions

Good day,

For a start-up entrepreneur, there is no need to hurry with the purchase of a business plan software. These days, that stuff has moved on-line and is free, at least in most cases. We use iplanner.net for coaching and business plan writing.

Hi!  It looks like you're doing great, so my primary advice is to keep going!

If you want to see another point of view that might be interesting, my favorite book might be able to help.  It's called Action Trumps Everything, and Babson college is offering it free here:

http://bit.ly/eDVOQf

It suggests taking very small business steps, and raising just enough money to make it to the next milestone (or self-funding if possible).  For example, you could start the business out of your home, based on fliers you put up around town.  As you said, most computer stores fail because they don't get enough foot traffic, so you're definitely going to need a 'real' space at some point, but any investor will be much more willing to put in money if you've already got customers.  Plus, their referrals will help you break even on the retail space all the more quickly.

Good luck!

One idea I have always thought should work for a computer shop is being a wholesale computer software and/or hardware distributor. There are a lot of shops around that sell stuff at higher prices and because there is fierce competition in this business price benefits directly to customers would more than often have people buying from you.

Kimberly

wholesale business software

Would you really want to be in the hardware business? For the most part it is thought of as a commodity business.