Entrepreneurial businesses can be as different as the people that start them but no matter what industry they target or what product they hope to sell, there are some common pre-launch issues that budding tycoons should consider. First, business start up consultant Cheryl Isaac told Alibaba.com, is the personal assessment. Do they have what it takes? While entrepreneurship can be rewarding, it can also be lonely and demanding, with long hours, no steady pay check and no vacations. In addition, entrepreneurs need to know the market they are getting into - in this case it helps to start a business connected to an existing interest or even hobby. Research is next. Who are the audience? What do they want? Who else is targeting them and how can they be beaten? Third on the list is finance. Prospective entrepreneurs need to "seriously consider" both personal and business finances before launching a start-up and may need to make provision to survive without receiving a full pay check for up to two years, Ms Isaac said. Lastly, entrepreneurs need to amass professional advice from accountants, attorneys, banks and others ahead of developing their business plan. According to the Kauffman Index of Entrepreneurial Activity, 495,000 new businesses started per month in the United States during 2007.  |