The initial process of writing a business plan may consist of sitting down and asking yourself all the questions that come to mind, and then answering them. If you are not yet sure what type of business you want to start, this exercise may help you in your decision. And, even if you are already sure about what business you want to start, by asking yourself these questions you may either further convince yourself that your idea is a good one, or you may find ways to adapt your idea to make it better. Finally, even if you find that your idea is not as feasible as you thought, by working through your uncertainties, concerns and doubts, you may come up with a more practicable idea. In any case, going through the exercise will help you turn your idea into a workable plan, and you will feel more confident about your business idea.
What do I want to do?
Think about what you enjoy doing, and what you are passionate about. What do you hope to gain from your own small business in terms of earnings and personal satisfaction? Keep your family in mind; you will need their support.
What can I do?
What are you good at? Everyone has their own unique set of talents and abilities. Think about how you can apply these, along with your knowledge, skills and experience, in a small business environment. You could also think about whether you might need additional education, training, or preparation in certain aspects of your business, such as marketing, administration or finances.
What services or products could I offer?
You can think about this in terms of the first two questions. Your product or service should be a reflection of what you want to do and what you are good at. Are you planning on providing a new product or service, or an adaptation or better version of an existing product or service? Do you have the resources and the know-how to make the product? Based on your knowledge and experience, what type of service are you qualified to offer? Do you need any type of certification or license to offer the service?