| One of the worst things about starting a business | | | | Cheaper prices? Better care, longer hours? This |
| is wondering how you can be different from | | | | can possibly give rise to great idea. For example, |
| everybody else. This isn't a usual worry for | | | | if a lot of the parents in your neighborhood can't |
| franchise businesses like 7/11-they have regulated | | | | drive the hour to your day care, why not provide |
| services and products that are the same no | | | | a day care pick up like a school bus or van? |
| matter what branch you step into. Starting your | | | | Logo, motto and mission. Create a logo, motto |
| own business-and making sure that it sticks and is | | | | and have a mission that will get people to |
| remembered is risky and exciting. This is where a | | | | remember you. This can help fix your business |
| great business plan comes in. | | | | plan as well. Your motto and mission will determine |
| If you're anything like me, who has a vague idea | | | | the scope of your day care, as well as contribute |
| of organization and planning, this can be a daunting | | | | to any ideas that you might have in the future. |
| process. What business plan? Can't I just wing it? | | | | Plan the small things. Think about how you want |
| Of course you can, but even people who wing it | | | | to run your day care. What time will you open? |
| have a plan in the back of their heads. | | | | What time will you close? Think of what |
| A business plan is simply an outline for what you | | | | programs you can use. Plan your menus and |
| want your business to become. My father makes | | | | activities. Plan the big things. Where do you want |
| business plans for everything-even his garden. | | | | your business to be in a year? In two years? Do |
| That's going a bit overboard, but you get the | | | | you want to start small and work your way up |
| picture. It's a bit like a rough guide for you. If this | | | | or try it all for a one time, big deal thing? Set a |
| is the first time, start simple and follow these tips | | | | goal. Do you want to be the biggest day care |
| to make your day care the one most talked | | | | center in your state by the year 2010? It can be |
| about in the block. | | | | as big as that or you can simply say: I want the |
| See a need, fill a need. Familiar? This is great | | | | kids to love going to my day care center. |
| advice from Mr. Bigweld in the animated movie | | | | Be flexible because no matter how you plan |
| Robots. Find a need that you can fill in your | | | | things, you have to have some breathing room |
| neighborhood or community. | | | | for yourself and your business. |
| Incorporate your passion. Do you like to do | | | | A business plan is like your battle strategy, |
| crafts, paint, draw or sing? This can be something | | | | without the giant world map and little pins stuck in |
| valuable that you can combine with your day care | | | | various places. Having your business plan can help |
| for a unique spin on child care. Take your day | | | | you immensely, even just with the little things. |
| care kids beyond finger painting. | | | | Take some time, have a cup of coffee or tea |
| Get people to chip in. Ask around; see what | | | | and sit down to write it out. You'll be amazed at |
| people want from their neighborhood day care. | | | | what you can come up with. |