Congratulations! You have finished your degree and are opening a small business in a product or service of your choice. Examples of small businesses include a restaurant, retail store, handyman$/$service technician, personal trainer, website$/$graphic designer, photographer$/$videographer$,$ and bed and breakfast owner. There are many more $-$ just look around the area you live in and think about what you like to do$/$have a skill for.

Use this forum to discuss the strategic plan you have to make your small business a success. Post a New Thread that describes your small business and answers the following questions:

Is your business home$-$based or do you need to buy$/$rent space?

How will you finance your business? $($loans$,$ grants, inheritance from wealthy grandparents$)$

What are some internal factors that will affect your business? For example, human resources$/$employment rate in your area, and technology resources.

What are some external factors that will affect your business? For example, business market and competition, economy, political environment, customer base, and supplier availability$).$

What is the Mission statement for your business?

What are the objectives for years $1-3?$

What is your $5$ year strategy?

One excellent source for information on starting a small business is the Small Business Administration: sba.org