Blueprint for Success: The Complete Guide to Starting a Business after 50

Albert Myers

Foreword   
Prologue
        Laying the Groundwork
        Joy of a Lifetime
        The Game of Life
        Play by Play

Part I: Is a Small Business for You?
        Business Facts Almanac
        Should I Go Into Business for Myself?
Chapter 1: Are You an Entrepreneur? 
        Elements of an Entrepreneur
        What Have I Got to Lose?
Chapter 2: Your Secret Weapons
        The Boomers Are Coming!
        Other Weapons of the Trade
        Taking Proper Aim
        A Personal Inventory
Chapter 3: The Six Transferable Attributes
        The Ability to Cope With Change
        An Inquisitive Mind
        Connecting
        Self-Reliance
        Talent
        Commitment
Chapter 4: Use Your Creativity
        Look, See, Create
        Creativity in Tandem
        Quizzing Your Creativity
        The Intelligence Myth
        The Proper Mindset
Chapter 5: Prepare for Risk
        Get Involved
        Handling Risk
        Where the Mistakes Are

Part II: What Kind of Business Do You Want?
     Business Facts Almanac
     Personal Evaluation
     Goal-Setting
     Purpose of the Business
Chapter 6: Shopping for a Business
     Small Business Shopping List
Chapter 7: The Franchise Option
     Doing Your Franchise Homework
     Generalities
     Company Background
     Questions to Ask-and Answer
     Finding Your Franchise
     Where to Start
Chapter 8: The World of Mail Order
        Deciding What to Sell
        Other Mail-Order Essentials
        The Cost of Doing Business
Chapter 9: The Rural Business
        Country Roads
        Business Co-Ops
        Finding a Market
Chapter 10: Women in Business
        Tips for Working at Home
Chapter 11: Buying an Existing Business
        Buyer Beware

Part III: The Nuts and Bolts
        Business Facts Almanac
        Forms of Doing Business
        Management
        Personnel
        Products/Services
        Customers
        Location
        Competitive Analysis
Chapter 12: Financing Your Business
        Test Your Credit-Worthiness
        Putting It All Together
        Financial Resources
Chapter 13: Choosing an Accountant
        Setting up the Books
Chapter 14: Name That Business
        Licenses and Permits
        Trademarks
        Copyrights
Chapter 15: The Importance of Insurance
Chapter 16: Choosing the Legal Form of Your Business
Chapter 17: Marketing and Advertising
        Mapping Your Market
        Plotting Your Advertising
        Legal Considerations
Chapter 18: Personnel Considerations
        Getting Ready to Hire
        After the Hire
        Giving the Governments Its Due

Part IV: A Business Workbook
         Business Facts Almanac
         Marketing Strategy
         Personal Financial Statement
         Sales Forecast
         Sales Forecast-Year 1
         Cost of Goods Sold
         Cost of Goods Sold-Year 1
         Operating Expense-Labor
         Labor Expenses-Year 1
         Nonlabor Expenses
         Nonlabor Expenses-Year 1
         Capital Equipment
         Capital Equipment-Depreciation
         Start-up Expenses
         Projected Income Statement-Year 1
         Projected Income-Year 1 by Month
         Projected Income-Years 2 and 3 by Quarter
         Projected Income-Years 2 and 3 Worksheet
         Projected Cash Flow-Year 1 by Month
         Projected Cash Flow-Year 1 Worksheet
         Projected Cash Flow-Years 2 and 3 by Quarter
         Projected Cash Flow-Years 2 and 3 Worksheet
         Sources and Uses of Financing
         Balance Sheet
         Balance Sheet Worksheet
         Break-Even Analysis
         Break-Even Worksheet
         Timetable
         Summary
         Supporting Exhibits
         Checklist for Starting a New Business
Epilogue
References
        Where Do I Go From Here?