How much money do you need?

Monday December 29th, 2003

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Here are eight easy ways to help you get started.

1. People in the business.
Entrepreneurs who own a business similar to the one you intend to start are a superb resource for start-up cost information, says Stephen Bates, owner of Management Analysis Group, a small-business consulting firm in Seattle. Your future competitors probably won't want to assist you, of course, but entrepreneurs outside your geographic area are often more than willing to help.

2. Sources of supplies.
Suppliers are another excellent resource for researching start-up costs. "Get on the phone and tell the person you're looking for costs in a particular area because you're planning to start a business. Usually, they're very forthcoming because they're looking for business [from you] themselves," says Kathleen Allen, professor in the Greif Entrepreneurship Center at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.

However, Allen warns against relying too heavily on the first few suppliers you contact. "Do some comparison shopping," she advises. "That can make a significant difference in your start-up costs." Ask suppliers about equipment leasing, bulk-buying discounts, credit terms, start-up inventory packages and other options that might lower your upfront costs.

3. Trade associations.
Like business owners and suppliers, trade associations are "an excellent source because you're dealing directly with [your] particular market niche," says Allen. Depending on the industry, trade associations might give you sample start-up cost worksheets and financial statements, names of established business owners and suppliers in the industry, market research data and other useful information. Suppliers' associations are good resources, too.

4. SCORE.
The Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), sponsored by the SBA, is a valuable resource for start-ups. In addition to publications on starting a business, SCORE can pair you with an experienced retired business owner who can guide you through the entire process of launching your company. Yes, you have to do the legwork yourself, but your volunteer counselor can point you in the right direction and suggest resources you may have overlooked.

Besides in-person counseling, SCORE offers a handy Internet-based service that gives users access to more than 12,400 participating counselors nationwide. "If you want a counselor who has experience running a sales office, starting a restaurant, buying a franchise or whatever, put in your specifications and get a list of counselors with those qualifications," says Fred Thomas, former president of SCORE and a SCORE counselor in Thetford Center, Vermont. Visit SCORE's Web site (http://www.score.org), which offers access to experts and links to other sites pre-screened by SCORE.

5. Business start-up guides.
How-to start-up guides are available from several independent publishing companies and some trade associations. These guides can be good resources for researching start-up costs, especially in well-established industries. Make sure the guide isn't outdated, and keep in mind that some costs vary widely throughout the country. As you read, be on the lookout for tips that can help you lower your start-up costs.

6. Franchise organizations.
If you're thinking about buying a franchise, the franchisor will give you lots of data about start-up costs. Don't view these numbers as absolutes, however, because costs can vary depending on your location. "Test the conclusions the franchisor [gives you] by crunching the numbers on your own," suggests Bates. Call existing franchisees and ask them how closely the franchisor's projections matched their actual start-up expenditures.

7. Business start-up articles.
Newspaper and magazine articles rarely give item-by-item start-up-cost estimates for a particular business in a specific geographic area. Nonetheless, these write-ups can offer ballpark estimates of overall start-up costs and help you come up with itemized lists of the costs you'll need to research. Always use credible sources. Don't forget to check trade magazines for information about suppliers, costs and trends in your industry.

8. Business consultants.
A well-qualified business consultant can offer excellent advice about start-up costs--and even do a lot of the research for you. A consultant can also help you organize your own research into useful financial projections and scenarios.