Find the Right Biz for You Series (Part 9) Welcome to Episode 10 of the Small Biz 101 Podcast – The 9th episode of the Find the Right Biz for You Series! We’ve covered quite a bit in previous episodes:

• Self-assessment
• Generating Biz ideas
• Business Styles
• Business Cautions
• Research - Is you idea a viable one?

Today, we’ll get into the numbers. The finances:

• What you anticipate the costs will be to start the business?
• What the ongoing costs will be?
• Determining your cash flow and – the highlight – what is your breakeven point? When will your business turn the corner into profitability.

Start-up costs

Even at this early stage, it’s a good idea to at least have a sense of these numbers. They will reveal many critical things to you:

• How much you will need to begin to open the doors.
• Whether you afford the business on your own.
• Whether you need to put off starting the business for a bit while you save money.
• Should you use other sources of financing?

When we think of start-up costs, we often think of these only having to do with the beginning of a business. I suggest that, if you have a business, it’s still relatively new, and you plan on making major changes once you’ve gotten it up and running, consider these new phases of the business to be start up costs as well. Property

• Down payment, if purchasing space
• Rent, if renting space + security deposit
• Build-out Costs

Equipment

• Facility equipment
• Office furniture
• Technology equipment
• Initial supplies
• Decorating
• Signage
• Lighting
• Starting inventory

Licenses, permits, certification costs Professional fees:

• Accountant
• Attorney – his/her own fees + incorporation fees
• Business Coach
• Graphic Designer
• Website designer
• Person who comes to your location to set up your computers and phones

Professional Development:

• Education/Certifications
• Memberships
• Professional library

Online Technology Expenses:

• Domain name
• Webhosting
• Online Scheduler
• Online payment processing

Opening/Launch Activities:

• Advertising and other marketing costs
• Brochures, flyers
• Business cards

Add on 15%. Rarely do actual costs come in below estimates. Give yourself a cushion. 

Cash Flow and Break even Analysis

Estimate of the gross income you anticipate generating on a monthly basis Estimate your ongoing monthly expenses:

• Rent/mortgage
• Insurance
• Utilities
• Online charges
• Loan payments
• Marketing and advertising fees
• Employee salaries
• Your salary
• Ongoing independent contractor fees
• Inventory costs
• Taxes
• Maintenance
• + 15%

Plot these estimates out in a spread sheet deducting the monthly expenses from the monthly gross income to calculate your anticipated net profit or loss. Once at the profit level, begin reimbursing your start-up costs, a chunk at a time. When you reach the point where your income consistently covers your expenses and the start-up costs have been reimbursed, this is your Breakeven Point. Celebrate!!! The cash flow and breakeven analysis will also provide you with valuable information:

• How much money will you need to set aside to support the business until it reaches a profit point?
• Do you need to adjust fa