Starting and running your own business is a dream for many, and with so many initiatives out there to help the start-up entrepreneur, it is becoming more and more of a reality.

Of course there are a million and one things to do, such as gaining a presence online, finding an accountant and choosing a name for your business. But before you even think about banging on the bank manager’s door, here is a general quick-step guide to getting started:

The most important member of staff is you. Before even embarking on a business venture, it’s imperative to analyse whether you are the sort of individual who can run a successful business. Can you work long hours, prepare for knock-backs and financial insecurity?

Is your idea a real winner? Forget what friends and families say. Is your product or idea something that people will really want to buy? The idea doesn’t have to be original, just feasible.

Research, research, research. You can never carry out enough market research. Get to know your market place. If you’re starting up a retail business, are there any competitors nearby and does the size of the market warrant your business? Talk to potential customers, suppliers and even competitors.

Don’t throw all your eggs into one basket. It’s not necessary to give up everything in pursuit of success. Many individuals start up their business gradually, keeping their original jobs and testing their idea out first before taking the plunge.

Make a business plan. It doesn’t have to be an all-singing all-dancing 600-page document. Ten pages of text is about the maximum, to draw out the important points, plus a sound set of figures. All an investor wants to see is that you have thought about this long-term, that the figures add up and that your goals are possible.

Finally, once funding is in place, the real work begins. Finding business premises, buying insurance, health and safety checks, marketing and advertising are the first steps to changing yours, and your customers’ lives.