(from The Basics)

If you need help to discern your gifts, we recommend reading the first chapter of Hattie's book, Beating the Odds. It is about your personal magic. It is online -- just a click away -- and it is free. To see if you have the mind of a business owner, please take some time with this little quiz.

How did you do (with the quiz on the prior page)? Do you still think your idea is worth pursuing?

2. Your knowledge: Next, let's look at how much you really know about this subject. Before you announce your idea for a business to the public, be sure you have done some real research. This is one of the most important decisions you will be making in your life.

So, how does this idea fit into the marketplace:

• Which businesses -- in your town, in your state, in your country -- are doing a similar business? Learn their names, visit the business if you can, and see if what you want to do is better or different.
• Now, what names are available for this business, first as a web address and second as a legal corporation?

3. How do you spend your time? So, you have come this far. Now tell us, will you start a business from scratch, try to buy into a franchise, or try to buy a business from within (with an employee-to-owner option)? If you are not sure, please take some time now and review the first three very short chapters from segments within the show called Business Basics.

So, what kind of business will it be? Do you know the business type? Do you know the National Trade Association for that business type and do you know their publications and others for that industry? Are you a subscriber? If not, why not? It is a "must-do."

If not, please do some research on the web. It is easy to do and it is a "must-do."

4. Taking steps today for tomorrow. OK, we are going to test your commitment to this idea. If you can, please go to Versign's Network Solutions (Online Identity) to check your business name. Your business name encapsulates the spirit and direction of your idea. If you do not have one yet, try a few out. Enter a name in the field provided. It will assume "Your-Name-of-the-Business".com.

It may well be reserved by somebody else. Now, you have to be creative, but you are also getting valuable research information. Take a look at those web sites that have your name!

Once you have a domain name that is accepted (keep trying), spend the $35 and secure your worldwide web address (a domain name or URL). This is a little acid test -- are you seriously thinking about doing it or not?

If you can't spend that little amount, please, please do not quit your 9-to-5 job.

About the money. People often think they should get money from someone to start their business with a simple idea. No so. There is money at each step along the way in starting your business, but at this step it is basically your Personal Savings. You had better begin saving some money. This is not easy and it is going to cost you time, energy and hard-earned dollars to start. You've got to put some skin in the game.

According to research done by VISA Business Card Primer, relatively little money is used to start most businesses. The Small Business Administration says most businesses are started with less than $10,000. This is good to know; however, to grow, it'll take cash and time.

Now when you share your very special ideas with someone whose judgment you trust you go to the next step.

INSPIRATIONAL CASE STUDIES:
PC Flowers & Gifts. Bill Tobin is for all the cyber-savvy people whose family and friends still say, "You won't make money on the Internet." Yet, Bill is an entrepreneur's entrepreneur. This is a must-watch show for anybody thinking about a technology-based company.

Albert Black says it does not take much money to start; it takes a lot to grow.

Madison Park Greeting Cards. Judi Jacobsen found out she could paint when she was 30 years old and the mother of four young children. With $200 and a partner, she started Madison Park Greeting Card Company. If your family asks, "Are you sure you want to do that?," watch this episode!

Image Communications. Jeff Gordon and Geoffrey Allen are the founders of Image Communications and Source Digital Systems. They are our youngest entrepreneurs. Jeff Gordon started his first business -- the ad agency of the future -- at the age of 24. Geoff wasn't even 20 years old when he started. This is a must-watch show for anybody who hears people say, "You're too young to start a business."

Cowgirl Enterprises. Donna Baase started in her home, then found a small office. But she outsources just about everything. This may be a good model to begin to consider early.