| You've been dreaming about what it would be | | | | never try, will you be happier? If you never |
| like to start your own small business. It has | | | | try, how will you know if you could have done |
| been on your mind since you were in school, | | | | it? Consider some of the well-known names in |
| and there are times, especially on Monday | | | | sports, such as Michael Jordan, the |
| mornings, that you daydream about it. But, | | | | basketball player; he has thrown more MISSED |
| you're not really sure what it would look | | | | shots than those that have made their mark. |
| like. You don't have the first clue how to | | | | What if he had not taken the chance to see |
| get started, and of course, you're afraid | | | | what was possible for himself? |
| that you would put your heart and soul into | | | | |
| it, only to fail and look likes a fool. You | | | | Okay, so now you're ready to take the next |
| barely even talk about it out loud, because | | | | step! First, in order to help you focus, I |
| you don't want family and friends to laugh at | | | | recommend that people start working on their |
| you. | | | | business plan. The Small Business Association |
| | | | has invaluable resources on their website. |
| But, anything is possible! The only | | | | This was the route I took. A year before I |
| limitations we have are the ones we put on | | | | quit the hospital, I started working on my |
| ourselves! With planning and learning the | | | | business plan. It helped me determine exactly |
| steps, and doing your homework, if this is | | | | who I was, what I offered, why, who my ideal |
| something you really want to do, you can do | | | | client was, who my target market was (at that |
| it, AND succeed greatly at it, too! | | | | time), who my competition was, where I would |
| | | | offer my services, how I would offer them, |
| I'm not saying it's easy! Nothing worth | | | | and so on. As I coach other health |
| having is. I have had to learn a great deal; | | | | professionals who want this dream, I now use |
| about myself, about business, about my | | | | a 3-page business plan for clients who don't |
| clients and potential clients. And it never | | | | plan to look for outside funding. Regardless |
| ends, because my interests and passions | | | | of the type of business plan, it will help |
| change with the years. But, how exciting! | | | | answer many hard questions for you. |
| | | | |
| When my daughter started kindergarten, I | | | | There are resources specific to most specific |
| returned to school. It took me five years to | | | | fields, too, including other professionals |
| get through school, but I had a vision: I | | | | who help others get started. Do your research |
| wanted to help people become healthy and fit | | | | to see who you can contact for support and to |
| in the privacy of their own homes. After | | | | ask questions of as you progress. Once you |
| school, I didn't have that plan fully in | | | | have your business plan in place, it's not |
| place, even in my mind, but after six years | | | | time to celebrate, yet! How are you going to |
| of working in a hospital, I was ready. I | | | | accomplish the goals you have come up with in |
| opened MEG Fitness in June, 1996. It's been | | | | that plan? You next need a marketing plan. |
| an incredible ride! I'll never look back at | | | | Now, although the marketing plan is also part |
| my life with regrets that I didn't pursue my | | | | of a business plan, it's really just the |
| dream. I really have learned that the only | | | | intro! The marketing plan will become your |
| limits are those I impose on myself, too! So, | | | | template, your schedule, and will spell out |
| I continue to dream bigger and allow my | | | | the actions you will take to make those goals |
| vision to become more grand. Why not? What's | | | | reality. If you use it seriously, it will be |
| the worst that can happen? | | | | your day-to-day guide to making your dreams |
| | | | come true! |
| That's what you have to ask yourself. If you | | | | |