Entrepreneur

I originally created my product, the beaubeau head scarf, not as product, but for myself. So it was and is the my own personal solution to an appearance challenge that was otherwise ruining my life. So the idea didn't start as a business idea, but a self-help idea. Upon realizing others liked my idea, I worked on perfecting my design. That was fun and not so difficult. Building the business around the product, now that is the challenging part. Starting from nothing and building up is a slow, steady process requiring non-stop attention. What helps me most in getting over all the bumps is constant research and input and support from competent and caring people.

The most difficult part of starting a nonprofit was the funding. I knew I had to have a specialized website to be able to do the search and connection in the database and to keep all information private. A friend of mine who's a web entrepreneur helped me put together a sitemap that I used to approach web designers and programmers for quotes. At the same time, I applied for nonprofit status and when I rec'd it, I sent out a letter to my family and close friends asking for money. I raised about $9,000 which helped offset some of the initial programming expenses.

You have to be passionate about what you want to do. I knew that I had a great idea in connecting survivors online. You have to remember that this was before online social networking became big. I had the idea at the beginning of 2005, before Facebook, YouTube and Blogging! But I knew that there had to be a way that breast cancer survivors could find each other online and get the support they needed. One of the challenges was the feedback I rec'd from the medical community. I spoke to my oncologist and surgeon about it and they were supportive, but you could tell that they didn't really believe in it. Dr. Susan Love was a mom at my daughter's school so I called her up. She basically said, "don't bother, because I'm going to eradicate breast cancer within 10 years." I thought,"that's fantastic, but there will STILL be survivors!" You HAVE to be passionate!

This is a great question. When I completed treatment I had a passion to help others. I wanted to start volunteering somewhere local to help other survivors. When the idea for Pink-Link popped into my head, "connect survivors with each other online", I knew I had to go for it. It's hard to start any kind of new venture, but I took baby steps and focused on what I needed to do each day. If you have the passion, then you'll be successful!

"Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life" by Anne Lamott is a great resource for writers.

It was not my first business, but it was the first time I had manufactured anything. I hope this answer helps folks make a list to estimate costs, plan a budget and timeline. One of the top reasons businesses fail is not because it wasn’t a great idea, but because there was not adequate financing and planning. It is possible to start with a minimal investment, but planning gives you a realistic perspective on how well you can carry your concept through to a successful business. I also have a retail store, but this answer will focus on web based business.

The first step after designing the pattern, testing fabrics and creating a prototype was to get a patent and trademark. The trademark is easy to do yourself online, but I hired an attorney for the patent, and another for Incorporation (optional).

Will you manufacture this yourself or need a company to do it for you? Depending on the product and the stage you are in with the patent, have a Nondisclosure agreement you can use as needed.

You will need a business license from the city where the business is based, even if it’s online, as well as a Seller’s/Resale Permit from the state Board of Equalization. State tax laws are changing, so check with your accountant or the Board on filing rules. Open a bank account specific for that business, and use a program to track sales, expenses and inventory.

If you are selling online, you can start on eBay to test the market. If you want your own site, purchase the domain name. There are several e-commerce sites you can explore on a trial basis. Look ahead – what direction do you want the business to take, and will that site be able to accommodate expansion? How reliable is their customer support? Can you make design changes and control inventory yourself, or do you need a web designer?

How do you want customers to pay? Check the guidelines for online options that integrate with commerce sites. Do you want to sell internationally? Compare shipping costs and customs requirements. Depending on your product, there may be specific material and labeling laws.

Now you can have fun – shopping for materials and/or products! You may start at retail, but once you have a Seller’s Permit and business license, search for trade shows and wholesalers. I feel price, customer service and quality are the critical combination; you can have two, but getting all three is rare.

Many wholesalers will let you start with a small quantity. Shop around; it may cost a little more per item to produce 10 instead of 1000, but you won’t be stuck with years of inventory and you’ll get to know how the vendor really operates.

Last but not least is marketing, which is a continual process and much too long to elaborate here.

As a closing thought, be creative, but don’t reinvent the wheel. Look for a mentor, ask questions, and follow the lead of someone who is successful at what you want to do. Good luck!