Before I can write the business plan, I need to source out my paper options.  I’ve narrowed it down to three options at this point.  I am super fussy about paper.  There’s no point in spending a lot of time and effort to design products only to print them on mediocre papers.  I want the best!

Before I can start to write a business plan, I’m going to have to sit down and do some serious research.  Who is my local, regional, national (international??) competition?  What similar businesses do I respect and admire?  And how did they get to where they are now?

This week’s goal is easy.  Making lists of businesses.  I love lists.  The next step is going to involve contacting people to get more information.  I’m not a chatty person - Week 2 may be more difficult.

The planning and research phase of starting a business is tiring and filled with lots of “what ifs” and self doubt.  Scary.  Instead of facing these feelings with panic, I’m trying to think of them more as, “worst case scenario planning”.  It’s my brain saying, “hey, have a Plan B.. and maybe a Plan C”.

Additionally, a supportive group of people around can be just the right motivation to get through these “oh my god what am I doing” moments.  I’m going to my first entrepreneur’s support group tomorrow.

The more I talk about the business the more real it becomes.

My business naming advice? Before polling family members and friends on possible business names, try doing a websearch to see if the domain name has already been taken. I found this quickly eliminated some possibilities. (For example, I really wanted Paper Dress.)

Once you’ve found one (or three) names that are available, register them! Registering a domain name is dirt cheap. And easy. Securing these names in advance eliminates any surprises - because who knows who else is also starting a similar business (or is reading your mind.)

Finally, run the name past family and friends and anyone you know who could be a possible customer/client. Does the name make sense? Will they know what you do? Can they spell it? Easily?

Using your own name is always an option - hey Martha Stewart did it! I decided against using my own name because of the Martha factor. I wanted to avoid any confusion with Martha Stewart and be original.

That’s how Paper Skirt started.

Welcome to Paper Skirt.  It’s my dream to open a greetings and invitations company.  I’m based in Ottawa, but I want to open up my services to a greater audience and will be working to get the online shop up and running by the end of the summer.

I’ll be blogging about the ins and outs of getting a small business up and running here in Canada’s capital.

Inspired by the small businesses around me in Centretown (and so many online) I’m ready to get started.  Today is Day One!