How to Find Your Perfect Business
06-10-2009 | Presentation by Joanna Walters, Sierra Cost Management, at the You Make It Happen event in Truckee, CA.

What do you like to do?
Is there something you have been looking for but can’t find?
What geographic area do you want to work in?
Do you want or need to travel for your work?
How much time are you willing to work each week?
What sort of flexibility in your work schedule do you want or need?

Market/Sales:
Is there a need for your idea?
What would make your business different?
Who are your customers? Where are they?
Can they afford what you are selling?
How can you best reach them?
How does your business benefit your customers?
How will to keep your customers?

Operations:
Are you good at managing people? Do you want to have employees? If so, what type of education, skills or training do they need?
Would your business use special materials or equipment?
Are you are providing a service or building a product?
How long does it take to make or to deliver?
What happens if there are delays during any point in the process?

Financing:
How much do you have (or not have) to invest?
What is needed to start the business? How long will it take to get your investment back from the profits of the business?
How much cash is needed to keep the operations going?
Do your customers pay immediately or do you have to finance their purchases and your inventory for 30 days or more?
How you do handle risk and uncertainty?
Should you have investment partners?