The first thing you need to consider is whether or not you have the skills and abilities to operate a business. You may want to take some educational programs and/or have some practical experience being in business. You also need the passion to keep going when you come across roadblocks or hit the inevitable rough spots. Ultimately, before you make major changes to your life and/or significant investments, you need to answer the question: "Is this, or any business, right for me—personally and financially?"
Once you are ready to start a business, then you need to determine what business you want to start. You must be able to define specifically what your product or service is and who may be interested in that product or service. Not only do you need to know who is interested but also where these potential customers are located, their income level, how to reach them, and other specific details. No business will be successful without a sufficient market.
Once those questions are answered, then you can begin to take specific actions to get your business started. This includes legal issues such as structure, licensing, permits, etc. It also includes naming your business and protecting that name and other intellectual property you own. You'll have to plan for how you will finance your business as well as how you will continue to pay for your living expenses during the months it takes to get your business up and running. Connected with getting your finances in order is the need to develop a record-keeping system.
These comments are only a few of the questions you need to consider when starting a business. There is a myriad of resources for starting a business, and the best place to begin may be by working with the local Small Business Development Center, Chamber of Commerce, or other business support service providers. The Small Business Administration (SBA) Web site is a good general purpose resource for many frequently asked questions. See SBA's Starting a Business Web site.
