9/22/2004

Low-Cost Startup Secrets

This article from Entrepreneur.com offers these tips for starting a business on a shoestring:

Get free advice from a successful mentor who's already been through the rough-and-tumble first stages of starting a business.

Have your business plan drawn up for free by submitting your business to an MBA class.

Barter strengths with other business owners.

Get low- or no-cost advice from a university-affiliated Small Business Development Center (SBDC).

Hire a virtual secretary.

Hire college interns to help with the small tasks.

Enlist the help of your support network.

("Those who believe in you will want to see you succeed, so determine their strengths, get them excited about your vision and ask them to help you out.")