This is a guide to assist you with some very important steps to fully develop your idea for starting a business. Most business owners realize that it is important to have a business plan, yet many either do not have a plan or have allowed their plan to become old and out-of-date. If you are interested in going into business, or if you have been in business for a while, you will find the business planning process an invaluable tool to give your business every chance for success.
Whether you take the time to prepare a formal Business Plan or not, it is important that you consider some rigorous examination your business idea so that you will be able to determine how your business might capture unique competitive advantage and attract customers in a way that can make money. Once you have explored the importance of the planning process, you will understand why many experienced business owners say, “if you fail to plan, you might as well plan to fail”.
Although this guide will be an important step in your search for resources, it is by no means a complete source of information. Our goal with this guide is to provide you with an efficient means to access many of the valuable and free resources on the Internet to help you in the preparation and planning for the success of your business. We suggest that you also review “Business Startup and Resource Guide – Starting a Business in North Carolina”, published by the Small Business Technology and Development Center (SBTDC). You can download a copy of this publication by following this link .
There are many free resources available to you through the Internet. It is a good idea when planning your business to work with a good business coach. Coaches can come from many sources: trusted family, friends, business associates or professional business counselors. There are many professional counselors that are free and can help you test your business ideas and coach you through the business planning process. North Carolina has 58 Small Business Centers located within Community Colleges throughout the state. The Small Business Administration (SBA) also provides business counseling support through the SBTDC and through SCORE organizations. In Rockingham County, North Carolina you can find out more about free business advice by sending an email to the Rockingham County Business & Technology Center (RCBTC) or by calling them at (336) 342-7853. You can also email the Rockingham Community College (RCC) Small Business Center (SBC) or call them at (336) 342-4261 to schedule an appointment for free business advice. Additional support can be found by visiting your local chambers of commerce in Eden, Reidsville or Western Rockingham County.
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