Al Paoli ⋅ Dover, DE PositiveKASHflow ⋅ 28 years experience

Hello and thanks for your service...simplistic approach to prepare for mentor is as follows:
1) LIST: list all ideas without your ranking or level of interest...it is not about you - all about them!
2) PRIORITIZE: research each to prioritize based on demand...how much did consumers spend on each in 2013 and are projected to spend in 2014, 2017 and 2019? Think short term 3-5yrs!
3) IDENTIFY COST - BENEFIT: research cost/benefit differentials...people, process, payoff!
4) ASSESS BARRIERS: research barriers to entry from competition, regulations, risk, etc.
5) KNOWLEDGE: your research will simplify next steps significantly so that an experienced, objective mentor may review your facts and data (comparison matrix) to further define ideal for you based on your strengths, attitude and habits to make it happen!
6) SELF ASSESSMENT: how much experience in ideal industry do you have...are you well connected with solid relationships...do you have enough cash saved...do you have access to cash needed...what does your personal financial statement look like - are you bankable???
7) SEEK SBDC / SCORE COUNSELOR: contact local office to meet ASAP...free insight!

God bless and best wishes along the journey ahead!

Fouad Malik ⋅ Los Angeles, CA ⋅ 7 years experience

I am assuming that you already have a business idea. Any idea should start with customers in mind. Do not fall in love with you idea initially at least. Be very objective. Try to get as much information about customers as possible. Is there a demand for the product/ service you will offer? Are customers ready for your project (Do detailed market research). Are they willing to pay for it? If there is a demand, then determine how big is the market you are trying to operate in (It should be significant for you to make profit). Are there sufficient number of customers in that geographical area (if limited to particular geographical area). What does the competition look like? What may be break-even point? What are the funding requirements? Do you have cash cushion to operate for 6-12 months if you are not generating enough money? Do you have skills to start your business? Do you have time to do so? What are you family commitments (start-ups can be very time consuming).

For additional free resources go to:

US Small Business Administration:

http://www.sba.gov/content/follow-these-steps-starting-business

Small Business Development Centers (SBDC's) in your area:

http://www.sba.gov/content/small-business-development-centers-sbdcs

If you like to share your business idea feel free to message me. All the best.

David Rogers ⋅ Morrisville, PA Rogers Health Care Consulting, LTD ⋅ 40 years experience

Thank you for your service! A great place to start is with the free service called SCORE, Counselors to America's Small business. This group is partially funded by the SBA. There are several chapters in the San Diego area. The volunteers all have extensive experience in many different businesses and what they don't know they can find for you among the 11,000 nation-wide members. Go to www.SCORE.org and you can find you closest chapter.

tony pezza ⋅ Point Pleasant Beach, NJ american standard businesses ⋅ 45 years experience

Hi Jeffrey, My brother was a marine in WW2 and received both the Purple Heart, and the Silver Star so thanks for your service and protection. Starting a business is a trip and if you go in the wrong direction you will be one of the 63% failures without support. I have started, funded, owned, consulted, appraised, evaluated some 23.000 business since 1975. There are not enough words to put in to an email like funding, location, onsite review, marketing, contracts, leases, cash flow and more. So here's the best think I can do to assist you and that is this. I have a call in live talk radio program on small business education, if you would like, you can call me at 1-646-478-4796 and we can have a great business conversation Q/A and to get you in the right direction, Air time is M W F 2-3 PM and I can explain in detail the concept of small business, and how to be successful. I can also send you after our talk a list of business search items once I know what field of business you are seeking. And if all this meets with your satisfaction you can go to my You Tube site and listen to my podcast on the 6 basis businesses available in the country, the link www. YouTube/ tonypezza when it opens look for the BOX that has a small boy holding a globe and it reads "ENTER INTO OUR WORLD OF SMALL BUSINESSES" It is about 33 minutes long and will be of some help to you until we speak on the phone. There are some 20 other videos you can also view all about business and my background. It is my pleasure to assist you as you have assisted me and this great nation, and my phone is always open to you. Thanks Tony Pezza American Standard Businesses

Thomas Gioscia ⋅ Bonita Springs, FL Gioscia Designs ⋅ 45 years experience

My name is Thomas Gioscia. I'm a retired entrepreneur who holds U.S. Patents in the system furniture field, and have started and sold or crashed 5 start up businesses from scratch. I am not a consultant and I don't need to know what your specific ideas or products are to help you understand how to evaluate them on your own and avoid the mine fields.
email address: tgioscia@gmail.com Thank you for your Service

Christopher Vogt ⋅ Auburn, CA Life Science Team, LLLP ⋅ 35 years experience

First, thank you for your service.

We help individuals reach their dreams by mentoring them as they build successful businesses. We have a specific, proven system that we use as we assist people. Please e-mail LifeScienceTeam@GMail.com and we will connect offline.

Gerard DeMare ⋅ Metairie, LA ⋅ 22 years experience

I've assisted in several start ups. Whats on your mind???