Chapter 2

Getting Started

When you decide to pursue your own company, getting started can seem either overwhelming or like an easy-to-manage, linear process depending on your idea, your customer base, and your experience. From choosing a name and determining the right corporate structure to developing detailed business plans, all entrepreneurs have to take certain key steps.

What most entrepreneurs don’t realize is that planning is a process, not just a checklist. It’s the gradual and sometimes not-so-gradual evolution of your ideas and inspirations. Building a business into a sustainable organization takes time and planning.

As you start your venture, there are a number of issues you’ll need to focus on. Planning is a catchall word that really ...

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