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