Today, I am going to share a link to one of the most useful and informative sites that I have found so far: http://www.sba.gov/thinking-about-starting. I have gone through and have read articles they have posted and have learned quite a bit. Check it out and see if can help you as much as it has me. Also, here's an article in their blog that I found pretty interesting:

How Running A Small Business is Like Coaching a Football Team

By plester, Former Contributor

Published: September 3, 2014Updated: September 3, 2014

It may not be something that often crosses your mind, but football coaches and small business owners have a lot in common. Both professions require leadership, dedication, commitment and a strong work ethic in order to succeed. Just like football coaches, as a small business owner, you must take on many roles to ensure everybody is working together as a team to achieve important goals and operations run smoothly. Here are a few other ways football coaches and small business owners play a similar game.

Pre-game

To prepare for a football game, coaches research opponents, develop game plans and determine the best lineup of players who will help the team win. Similarly, when starting a small business, entrepreneurs conduct market research to understand the competition and the key economic conditions and indicators. Entrepreneurs also build a business plan, which sets the strategic framework for the organization and maps out the path forward. In addition, small business owners find top talent who will help them execute the plan and beat the competition.

During the game

Over the course of a game, head coaches make adjustments regularly, shifting tactics to put their team in position to score and win. They consult with assistant coaches to get advice on what plays they should run. Entrepreneurs also make strategic moves to adjust to constantly changing market forces and customer demands. You can get guidance on how to set themselves for success by consulting with experts from their local SBA district office, SCORE chapter, Small Business Development Center or Women’s Business Center.

Halftime

Coaches typically deliver inspiring halftime speeches that motivate players to give their all and function as a team. You motivate your employees by providing benefit programs and encouraging their career growth through training that will help strengthen their skills. Small business owners also foster teamwork by clearly communicating the importance of each employee’s role in reaching a shared objective.

Post-game

Following a game, coaches review footage to analyze which plays and strategies did or did not work and what improvements the team can make to defeat the next opponent. At the end of each day or period of performance, entrepreneurs crunch numbers to determine how well the business performed and identify ways to boost profits, cut costs and improve customer service.

In coaching, the job doesn’t end just after one game or one season. The same can be said for entrepreneurs who work hard every day to pursue their dream of starting, managing and growing a small business. And the SBA will be there every step of the way, providing important counseling, training, financial assistance and other resources that are critical to success. Learn more about how the Small Business Administration helps entrepreneurs.

About the Author:

Paul Lester

Former Contributor

I am an author for the the SBA.gov Community, writing about topics that matter to you as a small business owner. Our ongoing goal is to improve this site to meet your needs, so we're happy to receive your feedback and participation. Thanks for joining our online Community here at SBA.gov!

Blog 2

I've been thinking more about if I started a business making children's clothes. What can I do to make my business STAND out more than the others besides prices? As I said in my earlier blog...there a LOTS of other people making children's clothes and trying to make a business of it. I don't want my business to just be a short lived fad.

On the other hand, I'm wondering if it would be a bad idea if I also did other crafts and added them to the business, like diaper cakes...towel wedding cakes...hard to find craft materials... The problem with diaper cakes is that the materials are expensive no matter how hard I try to keep the expenses low. You have the diapers, which takes about three jumbo packs, receiving blankets, burp clothes, hood bath towel, rattles, etc. I have only made these cakes for close friends and family because of the expense. I've had people to ask me why I don't try to sell them on ebay. The answer is pretty simple...People will not buy it because of the amount of money I have to get out of it just to break even is more than they want to pay for it. My diaper cakes usually cost me about $75 - $125 to make. That's not adding anything in for my time and work on it. But I do LOVE making them.

Here are some pictures of diaper cakes I've made in the past and a towel wedding cake I made:

Ok, I wasn't sure how to start this blog, but after some serious thinking (I now have a headache... lol) I have determined the best way to start it is with the question that gave me my idea for a business. Here it goes...

Why do baby clothes cost as much as adult clothes when it takes less material and less time to make?

I absolutely LOVE pillowcase outfits. I think they are just so stinking adorable!!! For those who don't know what a pillowcase outfit looks like, I am adding a picture of a couple so you will know what I'm talking about.

See...I told you they are adorable!!! They are considered a boutique item. Everyone is selling them. I've seen them priced from $10 - $80. Why???? Also, I've never seen these outfits offered for infants 0 - 9 months. Just because they are babies doesn't mean they can't wear pillowcase outfits also. I actually made these little outfits and dress. The top one cost me approximately $1.50 to make. It took me about 5 hours to make it, but that was only because I was also watching tv while making it. It actually only takes about 1 1/2 - 2 hrs to make and I just started sewing and making them so the more I make the quicker and easier and prettier they should be.  The bottom outfit (John Deere outfit) took me a little longer, but again, I'm still working on my techniques. The dress was EASY and quick to make. I probably cost me about $4 to make and that's because the green material wasn't on sale, but it was too perfect for this outfit not to get it. I go to thrift stores and buy new pillowcases and sheets for like $1.00 - $2.00 a piece for them. I also buy material when I catch it on sale or on clearance. I also shop at places like DIRTCHEAP where I can buy brand new pillowcases for $2.00 each. My idea is to start a family business sewing children's clothes. I have two nieces that are very talented in the creativity department and sewing department also. I want to start slow...and when I say slow, I mean S.... L....O....W!!! I want to build up an inventory and then sell them at festivals and maybe, online to begin with. My plan is to start off small and then build it up to where the business will basically pay for itself without having to have investors or loans. I have a sewing machine and an embroidery machine. I also make pacifier holders and plan on adding blankets and burp cloths. I also upload adult clothes to make children's clothes. So for right now...this is my 1st blog. I will blog a little more later.

This is Becky signing off...nanoo...nanoo!!!!