Q&A for How to Start a Small Business

You need investors or a small business loan. The easiest way to go about this is to find business partners that are willing to put up the money needed to start your business. You can also reach out to friends and family for help.

I recommend you research consumer data to better understand your target audience. Luckily there are many free resources available to small business owners including reports by the Census Bureau, the Department of labor, and private companies.

The best business to start is one where customers want your product or service at a price that enables you to make a profit. Ideally, new customers are easy to attract and there are few competitors. Finally, it should be a business in which you have experience (or can be trained) and enjoy the work.

Generally, no specific expertise or certificate is necessary to open a company. However, a certificate and experience — and license — may be necessary to operate or sell specific services to the public. Check with the Secretary of State to learn the legal requirements to offer a specialized product or service in your State.

Writing a plan is simple. You need to first have a firm understanding of your goals. Basically, a plan is a set of objectives to accomplish the goal(s). Take the end product and go back a single step and do that until you reach what you have now.

You can make a company or website at any age, but you may have to be 18 to officially register your company with your state.

Don't talk to people you don't trust about your idea. Consult a copyright attorney for advice on trademarking your idea.

If you have a cooler that can keep the ice cream cool enough, it's a great idea.

Consider every detail you will need to start your small business, from insurance and product supplies to marketing and property costs. Total each item and add at least 10% to the total to accommodate for surprises.

Create a business plan that outlines your funding sources, goals, staff requirements, location ideas and other details, then use it to guide the beginning of your business.

Age isn't an issue as long as you have the money and planning skills to start your business!

Ask your neighbors if they need their dog walked, and arrange times and payments if they do. Ask friends or relatives to help as needed.

You can make your own clothes, ask people for donations, go through your own closet, buy them from thrift stores or eBay, etc. The possibilities are endless.

Start a website with daily live chats. That way, people can listen while it's happening.

You could try things out and see what sells. Phone cases are doing pretty well since everyone owns a smartphone these days, and people like to personalize their cases.

You don't really need to, but it wouldn't be a bad idea if you're financially capable of going to college. It would definitely help you learn how to manage your business more effectively.

Sure! You will probably just have to use your parent's name for anything official like signing contracts, setting up social media accounts, etc. that require you to be an adult.

Try thinking of something you either like, or that you think is needed. A lot of successful businesses start from filling a need for the general public.

Yes, you could definitely do that. You can breed fish and sell them to pet stores, friends, individuals, etc. Just make sure you have everything you need as well as the appropriate amount of space. You could also sell related items like tanks and filters.

Figure out what type of hair pieces you would like to sell and decide on how to manufacture them. Once you do, you can decide on price, make a website and come up with an advertising strategy.

It is very unlikely that this will be helpful in starting a successful dry cleaning business. You will need to have other marketing tactics as well.

You would still follow these instructions, but customize them to fast food. You may also find it helpful to talk to other successful fast food owners and see what tips and tricks they used/ have for you.

You should start by making and selling clothes to friends and coworkers, and perhaps set up a Facebook page, and an eBay and Etsy account.

You can set up a website which will help you to get your business out to people. You can also promote yourself with signs, advertisements and on social media.

You can follow the steps listed in the article above, and customize them for a doughnut business.

It means to agree on the main focus of something. For example, if you and a partner are trying to make a budget for your business, you both may have different ideas as how to itemize your expenses, but as long as you both agree to stay within the budget, you are 'seeing eye to eye on the big picture', which is keeping a balanced budget.

It depends on where you're getting the clothing. If you're a designer, you're making them. If you're buying wholesale, you will need to find manufacturers to buy from. Find a location for your store front, promote your business with a grand opening, and be sure to give customers a reason to keep coming back week after week. If you're designing, you will need to showcase your clothing line in fashion shows and meet with buyers of department stores, etc. You want orders to come in before you start producing.

Just start! Find people who might need their car washed. Follow the steps above, and make sure you do good work.

You certainly can. They may have to sign some of the legal documents for you, but other than that you can maintain full proprietorship.

Decide on the product or service you want to sell, create a website or a web store on eBay, Etsy, Amazon, etc. Promote your product or service to your target market (those that want, need, will buy it). Sell said product or service for a profit. If you're selling a product, take lots of nice pictures to use on the website and in your advertising. If you're selling a service, you will likely need images that represent the services you will perform.