Well, there’s only one way to find out.  So get crackin’ with your Startup!  Below I’ve summarized the 5 critical steps you need to take to get your startup off the ground.  There’s also some interesting reading to keep you motivated for when you hit the inevitable rough patches.

Questions, comments, something you’d like see added?  As always, let’s discuss it in the comments.

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CNN recently posted an article that asks the question, ‘Is now the time to become your own boss?‘ 

You’ve probably thought about start your own business, haven’t you.  So, is now the right time?  Well, is it?

I think it is!

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Let’s get started.  But first things first.  We need an idea.  Before we talk money, before we talk about sales or clients or blah, blah, blah.  Besides hard work, nothing is more essential to being a successful entrepreneur than an idea.  Notice I didn’t say good idea.  Nope, you just need an idea that’s ‘good enough.’  There are plenty of shit products and services out there, witness the thousands of ways you can improve your life being touted on TV at 3am.  Great ideas are best, but for every great idea you’re bound to think up 6 derivations of the Snuggie or ShamWow.



So get brainstorming.  Have an idea for the next Foreman Grill, MySpace or great coffee shop?  Great, that’s step one!

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Let’s see your business plan.  O, you don’t have one?  Let’s face it, if you don’t have a business plan, you’re probably not serious about your business.  So get writing.  Wait, you do know what a business plan is, right?  No?  Well that’s okay, visit my Business Plan resource page and I’ll help walk you through one.

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