Relatively Clueless

[Poolie]

Being a member of other forums has taught me not to expect alot of replies to introduction threads...but hey, there's always the chance

Like it says in the title I am relatively clueless when it comes to starting my own business. That's exactly why I'm here, to start learning from those with experience. Truthfully I am dumbfounded, I have never taken any entrepreneurial studies and as such have no idea where to start. So far the only thing I have going for me is experience, and what I consider a good work ethic. So I'll just need some of you to help me fill in the enormous gaps in that plan LOL

What I have figured out is rough profit margins, distributors, time-frames, and the labour I will surely need. I plan on starting my own pool company, I have been building pools for several years and have a number of more experienced builders at my 'disposal'. What I'm really lost on is how to put together a solid business plan worthy of a potential loan. I have thought it out to the point where I am comfortable that the loan I need is neither too small nor too excessive.

Anyway I'll save any details for further down this road, but any advice or help you can lend is greatly, greatly appreciated.

[dmetcalf50]

Welcome,

I would recommend searching the different threads on this forum because you will gain a lot of valuable information. You can pretty much find anything that you have a question about and if you can't someone can answer it.

Start out every business with a business plan because failing to plan is planning to fail. If your unfamiliar with writing a business plan they are many examples on www.sba.gov and there are also a lot of programs that assist you in writing a business plan.

Depending on what kind of loan you want to get it's pretty difficult to get a loan for a start up business unless you have a lot of collateral.

Sounds like your on the right track. Good luck to you!

[Bill Moran]

Hi Poolie

Welcome to YE

Bill Moran - UK Based

[gregdavidson]

Hey Poolie! You may not know a lot now but if you're determined to start your own successful business, you'll probably being giving us advice in a year or two.

[GuyBBY]

Welcome to YE Poolie, and your introduction is appreciated. I think you should start with really taking some time to search here, as said above. There are many resourceful past/current topics here that really give you a good outline on the start up advice you are looking for. As for specifics, feel free to find the category your question would fall into, and put out a new post. The thing about YE is that you truly need to be specific as best you can about what you want help with, reason being is that, well, everyone is a "young entrepreneur" so schedules are hectic, sleep is limited, and to do list's are long haha. The more you can trim down to the base of your question/issue, the more responses you will get.

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions!

Guy

[mbrand2222]

In case you're really green to forums (like I was) search by scrolling up to the green Navigation bar on the right and click on the word search. Type in any topic you'd like to study up on and you'll get a wealth of info from the forum members. Best wishes!

[Librazoe1982]

Welcome! I am DeAnne. This is a great place to find resources and ideas for starting your own business. Do you have an idea of what you may want to do? Do you have talents or interests that could be turned into a business?

[Poolie]

Thanks for the warm welcomes, I will definetely look into some past threads for ideas. I'm sure I'll have some more specific questions soon enough so keep your eyes open for me

Welcome! I am DeAnne. This is a great place to find resources and ideas for starting your own business. Do you have an idea of what you may want to do? Do you have talents or interests that could be turned into a business?

I plan on starting my own pool company, and yes I do have experience....maybe even talent LOL

Thanks again.

[ewaste]

hi, and welcome to the site. this will teach you a lot and there are plenty of great teachers here willing to help.

[teenbizcoach]

Hi Poolie,

If you know all the stuff you mentioned, I wouldn't necessarily say that you are clueless.

It appears you have the willingness to learn and to admit your shortcomings. I think the most important thing to do is set aside time to get on the forums everyday and start trying to piece stuff together and get a strategy going to start your business. If you can't find what you are looking for, of course you should post your question.

Good Luck.