Start-up Smart: How to start and build a successful business on a budget

This book will not make you a million in three months and it doesn't make any wildly optimistic claims about saving the world, changing the way we think about business or improving your chances of pulling. What it does do is give an honest, detailed, straightforward description of how to start a small business from scratch, with relatively little money, and how that business can give you a decent income with little or no risk in the long term. Robin Bennett guides you through the key steps involved in setting up and running a business. He shows that it's possible for anyone to become their own boss, and that it can be done without ending up in debt to the bank or completely stressed out. Delivered in a lighthearted and down-to-earth way, the advice contained in these pages is based on what Robin has found to work over the last 20 years in business. It shows how you can do it too – how you can use this knowledge to start up, and most importantly, start up smart!

Table of Contents:
Preface About Me 1. Planning for Getting Started Basic Strategies Defining Your Goals Planning and Preparation The Business Plan Sources of Investment Things to Watch Out For Useful Websites 2. Making Money Basic Strategies Marketing Sales Price Negotiation Premises Hiring For the First Time Useful Websites 3. Growing Sensibly Basic Strategies Cash Flow Staff Relations Technology Building a Reputation Suppliers Banks Clients Trade Fairs and Conferences Useful Websites 4. Planning for the Long Term Basic Strategies Creationists, Expansionists and Caretakers Related Markets Foreign Markets Patents and Trademarks Accounting Useful Websites 5. Reflections Basic Strategies Dealing with the Highs What to Do if You Think You Might Fail Conclusion Appendix: A Model Company

About the Author :
Robin Bennett came to business relatively late. No selling lemonade to neighbours from the front garden at age six, cleaning cars with rags or a 4am paper round. A cosseted existence lasted until he became a penniless graduate, which forced him to start his first company, aged 23. All of which goes to show that entrepreneurs are just as often made, not born. Since 1992 he has started eight separate companies – each for less than £5,000. Six still trade, always in the black and never at the expense of high borrowing or the really important stuff, like family and friends.