SoDev CPS Business Resource Guide.

An honest introduction to starting a business

Several years ago, I set out to start my own business. After many weeks spent poring over web pages and squinting at fine print on government websites and reading every book (with good reviews) I could get my hands on, I nearly threw my hands up in frustration and walked away.

The point of all this hard work was to find something to generate income; something that would replace my current “9 to 5” that would afford me the time and freedom to spend my days with my honey, living my life. Instead of finding the key to starting and running a business successfully, I found “two thousand ways how not to make a light bulb.”

To better understand what I needed to know and to gain the necessary know-how to make it happen, I needed guidance. The important questions weren’t being asked, so the answers I found were irrelevant, at best. So, how do you get the right answers? Ask the right questions!

1. What is my passion?
2. Could I make a living with my passion?
3. How do I start a business doing what I love to do?

These are the initial questions, and truthfully, they are not the most important questions. They are the questions that need to be asked only once to define the goal behind the effort. Then come the really important questions:

1. What do I need to do (legally) to be in business?
2. What is a business classification and which one is right for my business?
3. How do I get funding to start to my business?
4. Can I afford to hire help?
5. Can I afford to quit my day job to pursue my goals?
6. What equipment do I need?
7. Will I sell or serve?
8. Brick and mortar, website or both?

…by the way, this has only scratched the surface. What I found when I started out is that we live in a world of free information. Not all of that information is good or up to date, and there are many, many people out there trying to make money off of your dream of independence. Be wary.

I spent more time than was necessary chasing false leads and bad information. The good information I found was so various and far-spread that I had a hard time managing my resources. I needed a solution. I needed a creative way to solve the problem at hand. May I introduce to you SoDev, CPS – Solution Development, Creative Problem Solving. Among the pages of this site, you will find the product of my sweat equity. You will find a collection of resources to help you start your business the right way, with good information and an honest word of caution.

Starting a business is hard. It is stressful and at times discouraging. It means long hours and a diminished social life and occasional self-doubt. To be perfectly honest, it’s not for everyone. Only you can determine if you have what it takes to overcome the “newbies” and persevere. If you are driven, if you are resolute, if you are determined, you will succeed. It’s not a matter of if, but when.

So…when will you succeed?