This is a simple but effective crash course in entrepreneurship that will take you through the basic steps of starting a business without all the theory and trimmings. In the process, the article will also refer to some external resources and links within this website that you should read to complete the process…
Research
Do some basic reading and research that can prepare you for the kinds of things entrepreneurs have to encounter and do. Some essential books that you should read are:
E-Myth Revisited
Business Model Generation
Escape from Cubicle Nation by Pamela Slim
Draft a Business Plan
When starting off, there is no need to have an elaborate business plan – it is probably going to be guesswork anyway.
What will help is for you to read the following resources:
Business Model Canvas On One Page
If you want to put together a full-fledged business plan, you may want to read this detailed guide
Build and Test a Prototype
Prototyping is an essential early step of business planning. It allows you to test out whether or not your vision and your produc or service  is feasible.
The goal of a minimum viable product (MVP), in “Lean Startup” parlance, is to test out a a quickly produced, stripped-down model of a product or service that can be brought to market quickly and inexpensively. The idea is that instead of trying to perfect your product or service and then discover no one wants it, it is more advisable to get a pilot or basic version out to test the market and customer acceptance.
A great example of an MVP include Zappos, which, early on, took photos of shoes in local stores, posted them online and when they saw demand, then they bought the shoes from the stores and shipped them out instead of building a large inventory. Another example is beta sites for web application services that invite potential clients to sign up and try a service to assess how many people are interested and what feedback they provide.
And “prototyping” is not just for outfits that make physical products. A prototype can also be a simple website representing your future business that you use to collect email addresses from interested parties. If you are after a specific niche like fashion or cooking, you might also consider creating a blog that will help you find a following. The prototyping phase is all about taking your business vision and making it real to test out whether or not real consumers will bite.
Come Up with a Pitch or Simple Mantra
A clear sense of direction communicated to your potential clients and to potential new staff can go a long way toward helping people “get” your vision. If you want to accelerate your path to success, it’s all the more important that you have a crystal clear way of articulating your value proposition.
Startup guru Guy Kawasaki recommends coming  up with a simple mantra, preferably three words or less, that succinctly describes your core values. Some examples he gave:
Wendy’s: “Healthy fast food”
FedEx: “Peace of mind”
Nike: “Authentic athletic performance”
Here are some resources you can read about how to craft your pitch or mantra:
Killer Pitch – Six Step Process
Crafting A Pitch For Your Business
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