GETTING STARTED

En·tre·pre·neur: a person who organizes and operates a business or businesses, taking on greater than normal financial risks in order to do so.

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Are you looking to start your own business or possibly purchase an existing business? Here a several questions to help you determine if you have what it takes to be an entrepreneur:

• Do you have education or work experience in your chosen industry?

• Do you have a strong work ethic?

• Do you know have strong time management skills?

• Do you have the ability to multi-task?

• Do you possess good management skills?

• Do you have the ability to be decisive?

• Do you have a supportive family?

• Do you consider yourself to be self-motivated?

• Do you consider yourself  to be resourceful?

• Do you consider yourself to be responsible?

• Do you consider yourself to be organized?

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As an entrepreneur, it is important to remember that you will have to wear many hats. Here are a few examples:

• Administration: Answering phones, handling paperwork, office management and insurance issues.

• Marketing: Creating and promoting your company’s image via advertising, public relations and more.

• Accounting: Bookkeeping, taxes, payables and receivables.

• Sales/Customer Service: Prospecting for new leads, cold calling, making sales presentations and closing, taking orders, handling complaints and building relationships.

• Human Resources: Hiring, firing and managing employees.

• Information Technology: Choosing purchasing and troubleshooting technology.

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That's a lot of different hats! But, there is still one more important hat -- that of production and fulfillment. Someone will have to manufacture your product or arrange to have it made, handle shipping and man the warehouse. If you are just starting out, all of those duties could fall to you.

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The good news is that the Miami Area Economic Development Service, Inc. can help get you started on the right path. We want to help you turn your dream into reality by guiding you through some common business start-up steps. Are you ready to begin? If so, just click on any of the headings below to begin your journey.

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