Your Power Partners will be those businesses that supply your clients with services on a regular basis. Writer’s groups, Printers, Colleges and Human Resource Consultants will all be your target referral relationships.

The conversations with these Power Partners should indicate your willingness to include them as you become aware of companies that need their services. It is important that you meet with these Power Part- ners in person the first time, then keep in touch with them weekly through email or phone conversations.

You will need to have excellent editing and English skills, a computer to create a database, a tracking system and invoices. A professionally designed website is mandatory. You will also need to have reliable transportation.

Personality Type: Analytical, Amiable, Driver

Total Start Up Costs: Less than $500

(includes business cards, website and phone)

If you choose a business that requires a computer, you can rent a computer or use one at your local library. One hypnotherapist I know creates her own postcards to announce workshops, her monthly newsletter and flyers, all on library computers. It might be inconvenient, but until you can afford to rent or buy your own equipment, it can be done.

I’ve worked with several people who have made drastic changes in their careers when they’ve started their own business. A lot of people start the type of job that they do when they are just out of high school or college because they just fall into it. However, they never put any thought into whether they like the job or not. It’s just a means of support. So this is your biggest opportunity to do something that is perfect for you.

The first thing to do is make a list of where your potential clients are. Who is your competition? What do they do to get new clients? Evaluate other closely related businesses to see who is successful. What makes them successful? Is it their location? Is it the length of time they’ve been in business?