Am I an Entrepreneur?

1. Am I an Entrepreneur? This introductory module provides questions for you to think about as you explore starting a food business. 2007

2. Directions • To advance to the next point, click your mouse button or touch the down arrow on your keyboard.

3. Are you entrepreneurial or not? Which traits do you have? Traits of Nonentrepreneurs Uncertain Sluggish Dependent on others Unimaginative Pessimistic Negative Self-assessment • Traits of Entrepreneurs • Self-confident • Energetic • Independent • Creative • Optimistic • Positive Adapted from NxLevel “Guide for Agricultural Entrepreneurs” and Business Town.com LLC, “Profile of an Entrepreneur”

4. Risks • Failure - Entrepreneurs must assume the emotional and financial risk of failure. • Time - Making a business successful takes a tremendous amount of time - most report 60 to 70 hours per week as "normal”! • Family - The strain of operating a business may cause tension within the family. • Money - Most startup entrepreneurs have their own money at risk.

5. Rewards • Independence - Entrepreneurs have the freedom to act independently and be their own boss. • Fun - Entrepreneurs describe what they do as FUN - it's what they WANT to do! • Money - The financial return from their own efforts is not limited to normal work for normal pay. Adapted from NxLevel “Guide for Agricultural Entrepreneurs” and Business Town.com LLC, “Profile of an Entrepreneur”

6. Preliminary considerations: A checklist • Have you taken everything into consideration including your vision, funding or where to find supplies? • Go through this checklist to make sure you are on track.

7. Are you prepared? • Have you worked for a business similar to the one you would like to start? • Do you have managerial experience? • Have you had business training or experience? • Why do you want this business? Do you have a vision or purpose? • Are you willing to work long hours without knowing how much money you will earn?

8. Do you have enough money? • Do you know how much money you need to start your business? • Have you talked to a banker about your plans? • Do you know how much of your own money you can put into your business? • Do you know where to get supplies and/or ingredients? • Can you get credit from your suppliers? • Do you know what your anticipated salary and profits will be after subtracting your business expenses? • Can you live on that amount or less?

9. Do You Need a Partner? • Do you know the good and bad points about having your own business or having a partner? • Do you have a partner in mind who could bring money and experience to your business? Adapted from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture “Starting a Food Business in Minnesota,” January 1998

10. Completing your checklist • If you do not answer “yes” to all of the following questions, you may need to do more research. • Make a list of those questions you do not check and develop goals to help you complete the entire checklist. • Don’t be afraid to ask for assistance from others who can help accomplish your goals. • Remember, starting a business involves taking risks. Adapted from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture “Starting a Food Business in Minnesota,” January 1998

11. Building or space • Have you found a good building for your food business? • Is the building in a good location?? • Will you have enough room for expansion? • Can you afford to alter the space? • Have you had a lawyer check the lease and zoning requirements? • Is the building accessible? (Parking, loading, etc.)

12. Equipment and supplies • Do you know what equipment and supplies you will need? • Have you found suppliers who will sell you what you need at a reasonable price? • Have you compared prices and credit terms of various suppliers? • Do you know how much your equipment and supplies will cost? • Will you save money by buying secondhand equipment?

13. Merchandise • Do you know exactly what products and/or services you plan to sell? • Do you know how much or how many you plan to sell? • Have you compared prices of other products similar to yours? • Have customers demonstrated a desire for this product?

14. Your records • Have you created a system of records to keep track of income and expenses? • Have you developed a plan to keep track of inventory so you always will have enough on hand for your customers, but not more than you can sell? • Have you developed a method to keep payroll records and take care of tax reports and payments? • Do you know all the various financial statements you will need to prepare throughout the year? • Do you know a good accountant who will help you with your records and financial statements?

15. Food business licenses and laws • Do you know which licenses and permits you will need? • Do you know the various business laws you will have to obey? • Do you know a good lawyer you can use to help with legal matters? • Do you know what the Food Code is?

16. Protecting your business • Have you made plans for protecting your business against thefts of all kinds? • Have you considered getting a patent, trademark or copyright for any aspect of your business? • Have you talked with an insurance agent to discuss the type(s) of insurance your business will need?

17. Advertising • Do you know how you will advertise your product? • Do you know what advertising tactics other food businesses in the area use to get people to patronize them? • Do you know where to get help with your ads?

18. Buying a previously owned building • Do you know the pros and cons of buying a building? • Has the building been recently inspected and approved by a regulatory agency? • Have you compared the cost of buying versus building a building? • Will the owner of the building transfer the lease to you? • Do you know the actual reason the owner sold the building?

19. Marketing • Do you have a marketing plan? • Do you know how to establish the price for each item you sell? • Do you know how much your competitors charge for their products and services? • Do you know how to get customers to buy? • Can your customers buy on credit? • Do you know the good and bad points about joining a credit-card plan?

20. Employees • Do you know where to look for hired help? • Do you know salary requirements for your employees? • Do you know what kind of employees you will need? • Do you know the laws and regulations you need to follow for employees?

21. Other important questions • Does your family support your decision to start a food business? • Do you know where to find resources for new ideas and products? • Have you developed a business plan? • Do you know where to seek assistance with your plans?

22. For more information • Visit the NDSU Extension’s Food Entrepreneur Web site by clicking the following link: • Food Entrepreneur Module designed by Bridget Curley, Program Assistant, and Julie Garden-Robinson, Food and Nutrition Specialist, NDSU Extension Service