Find a Mentor

The second step after writing a business plan is to get help. Most people wish to start a business for obvious reasons-they hate their current job, they want to take control of their time and schedule, or they have a really good idea and want to capitalize on it. The idea gets the blood flowing and the business plan is set up, but then what? How does a business get launched?

A person can spend countless hours researching the various legalities of running a business, and much should already be in the business plan, but why not find a coach to help you?  The best coaches are those who have already walked the path you are about to embark on. Find a person who is in your industry and pick his/her brain. Most already successful people would love to share their knowledge with people. A secret in business is to find the most successful person and do exactly what they did. That doesn't mean your idea will be the same, hopefully you will have an original idea and not be direct competition, but how did that person get to where they are now?

Read some good books. Study entrepreneurs, use valuable resources like the Small Business Association, or Score. These organizations are non-profit entities that give very valuable information to start-up businesses.
Another option is to hire a consultant, (if you can afford one) and have that person help you in areas where you are unsure what to do or need more experience in. Finally, go to school. You don't need to spend several thousand dollars on the best school in your neighborhood, but a business degree will actually help you in the long run. After all of that, make sure you surround yourself with people that are more successful than you are. You would probably learn a great deal just by osmosis!