Contemplating starting a business isn’t something that usually happens overnight. If you are paying attention to your inner voice, you know it’s a slow build and a series of events that one cannot completely predict or plan. Countless small businesses began life in a garage. Why? Well, if you own a garage you probably own a mortgage. Thus, you conserve start-up capital for the business and forgo the expense of rented space until (1) your new business is financially healthy or (2) someone with deeper pockets sees the merit in your idea. Think, Apple Computer, Ping Putters, HP and Ford.
American Garage Magazine offers numerous ideas that will aid you in transforming your present garage into a more functional workspace. We propose the benefits of painted floors, cabinets, organizational wall systems, better lighting fixtures, and more. Money is better spent on these renovations than on renting a bad work space that is not exactly what you want.
Even if that office lease is just month-to-month, it’s an expense versus a capital improvement on your biggest asset. Take an office space budget and apply it to improving your garage. Your garage shortens your commute, allows you to have easy access to your “office” anytime and there’s no third party (landlord) to waste your time.
Layoffs, mergers, boredom, frustration and of course the “mid-life crisis” are all reasons businesses begin. First you need an idea, most good ideas originate from:
- Your Job. Something you know well, and perhaps something that has an underserved market.
- Your Hobbies. Anything you have a passion for and know about.
- Observations. Observe the problems that other people have with certain products or services, and aim at correcting them.
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 Okay, so now you have an idea. What’s next? There are numerous steps that you need to start a business but it really comes down to six.
- A clear visionof what the end product or service will be.
- The technical expertise (you or someone you know) to produce the product, service.
- Some means to acquire an actual sample prototype or beginning inventory to sell.
- Contacts are a simple, inexpensive way to approach potential buyers. Orders are nice, but input is an even greater insight on what buyers want.
- Firm orders. An indication buyers like your idea enough to spend dollars for it. Forget Power Point, get it in front of buyers fast.
- Time. Depending on your station in life, this isn’t always an automatic. You need large blocks of available time to launch a business.
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