Step by step?

[concho]

Hi, myself and two partners are looking to start a business as a fitness centre which will incorporate a training environment to take in students.

I need some advice about what to do first.

We're getting together to first of all get an exact idea of the business operations on paper and we've also been out and about looking for premises.

We haven't yet started the business plan but intend to do that after getting all our information spot on.

So first we're getting our ideas together, then we're planning to identify our goals and what we want out of it, then try to find some premises to enable us to go ahead with an idea of costs and identify sources of funding etc.

Does anybody have any advice as to what order to do everything and what the initial things we should be looking at so we're not jumping ahead of ourselves?

Thanks

John

[natasha]

Hello John,

Welcome to the forum!

Sounds like your heading in the right direction.

Don't put off writing your business plan because when you do start you will find out and get an idea of what your business idea is going to involve, for instance

• Start up costs-equipment, refubishment to property, staffing costs, fire safty, security(alarms,etc), insurance,advertising and the list goes on....
• Research- who are your target customers?, who's your competition?, research on the particular area your planning to set up in?
• Sales and forcasting
• Marketing
• Whats your USP( unique selling point)?
• are you going to need funding if so, how much and from where?

When you start researching the property you are going to want, you will find out the costs etc.
Costs will depend on the area and size.

Would it be best for you to buy or rent?
You can expect to pay at least 6 months rent up front and a deposit.

I think the next step is to start writng a plan and research your idea with regards to property, start up costs and can you really make this work??

What area are you in?

Good luck