Taking the leap
Business Opportunity Profiles (BOPs) and Business Information Fact Sheets (BIFS) area great source of useful facts on specific business sectors and list useful contacts. These can usually be found at your local Enterprise Agency or Business Link.
Preperation is everything Know your customers and remember to talk to potential customers first to understand their needs.
Ask your newsagent whether there is a trade journal for your chosen industry and start reading!
Test Trade Dip your toe in first, like the founders of Innocent Drinks. They sold their smoothies as at a weekend festival and asked customers to put their empties in a bin marked either 'Don't give up the day job' or 'give up your jobs to start a business selling these smoothies'!
Get advice from a trustworthy source (see our clickable map for women-friendly business support in your area: http://www.prowess.org.uk/support/support.asp)
Don't tell too many people about the idea or you won't actually follow it through.
Explore getting mentoring or a business coach to help keep you focused. Or join a business women's networking group to benefit from the experience and expertise of others.
Whatever you decide to do you must plan properly and remember that a business plan is not something that is there simply to help you raise money. Rather, it should be a tool to help you run your business on a day to day basis.
Discuss your ideas with successful, positive people in business. They will not only give you encouragement but also valuable advice.