Hi Zack,
I have a full time job but have always wanted to own a Sports Bar. Lately I want these thoughts to turn into actions, but I am having trouble on knowing where to start. How do I get started? SK Lincoln
Most experts say to begin by sitting down and writing a business plan. A Business plan helps with turning those thoughts in your head to words on paper, which in turn communicates and refines your idea. The problem with business plans are that they require details about your future business which may not be completely formed. Depending on the stage of your thoughts, I would first suggest do your research. How? Go talk someone who owns a Sports Bar that you respect. Create a dialogue with this person and ask questions about the formation of the business. How did it start? Why this location? How much money did it take to start? How did they get that money? Challenges? Why this food? Why this type of environment? Why this color of paint on the walls? Some of the questions may sound invasive, but you may be surprised on how much information you get just by sincerely listening. Ideally this would be a formal “sit down”, not a haphazard informal conversation that is unprofessional and not taken seriously. Take this information and start to develop a detailed business concept in writing.