Becoming an Entrepreneur
Starting a Consumer Information Business
We've collected some good advice that is ideal for those who plan on opening a consumer information business. This is a must-read before you begin your venture.
Thinking about opening a consumer information business? We tell you what you need to know to get started.
Best Practices for Writing a Consumer Information Company Business Plan
Many new consumer information business owners feel unprepared for the challenge of writing a business plan.
The good news is that business plan help may be closer than you think. These days, there are tons of great resources and solutions available to support the business plan writing process.
If you're feeling overwhelmed, take a look at Gaebler's Business Plan Help section for a list of business plan writing resources.
Don't Overlook Competitors
Well in advance of opening a consumer information business within your community, it's worthwhile to determine how many competitors you have. We've provided the link below to help you find competitors in your area. After clicking on the link, type in your city, state and zip code to get a list of consumer information businesses near you.
If there's too much competition, it may be wise to consider starting the business in a less competitive marketplace.
Finding a Non-Competitive Business Mentor
If you are seriously contemplating launching a consumer information business, it's a smart move to learn as much as you can from somebody who is already in the business. It's very unlikely that the local competition will talk to you. Why would they want to educate a future competitor?
On the other hand, an individual who has a consumer information business in another town will be much more likely to talk with you, after they realize you reside far away from them and won't be stealing their local customers. In fact, they are often very willing to share startup advice with you. Our estimate is that you may have to contact many business owners to find one who is willing to share his wisdom with you.
Where can you find a consumer information business owner who is willing to talk to you but doesn't live nearby?
Simple. Let your fingers do the walking by using the link below.
Benefits & Drawbacks of a Consumer Information Business Acquisition
Although there are significant benefits to buying a consumer information business (rather than launching a startup), it's important to weigh the pros and cons before you commit to a purchase scenario.
BENEFITS: Acquired consumer information businesses should be profitable right out of the gate; they should also be capable of demonstrating a loyal customer base, brand identity and operational efficiencies.
DRAWBACKS: Acquired consumer information businesses sometimes have entrenched processes and systems that run counter to your business objectives. If an acquisition target appears unmalleable, move on to another prospect.
Don't Rule Out Franchising
The odds of achieving your primary goal of achieving your top business goals go up significantly if you purchase a franchise in lieu of doing everything yourself.
Prior to making the decision to open a consumer information business, a smart move is to check out whether buying a franchise could be the right move for you.
The link below gives you access to our franchise directory so you can see if there's a franchise opportunity for you. You might even find something that points you in a completely different direction.
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