There are a lot of things needed to consider when strarting up a business. Maybe you can ask a experienced business owner how did he start. The truth is we all start small and when luck comes plus real hard work then we will be successful.

The type of businesses you are considering will greatly influence some of the answers to this basic and important question.  In addition to the resources on this site referenced by the other poster, there are some basics that will help answer this question.  In addition to choosing something you really like doing, investigate and consider all aspects of what will be required in running such a business, and ask yourself if you like doing most or almost all aspects of it.  As a random example, a person may love beer and decide they want to start a brewery and even have the money to do so.   However,  it may involve a lot of late night or overnight work.  It may involve a lot of sterilization and cleaning work, which the same person may not enjoy nearly as much.   Think of the business you want to start in this light.   Someone may enjoy Sales and wish to start a leads generating company, but will they like all the recordkeeping that may be required for successfull sales?  You may have to work far more than 40 hours per week for years, even if you enjoy doing it.    This may affect your personal and family relationships dramatically.    You may need financing for which your credit may need to be excellent.   Do you have start up capital, and if not how will you get it?    Will you have to hire employees and if so how will you find employees that will help your business rather than run you out of business.    Whatever business you decide on, check with family and friends and find someone who is already doing this type of business and ask to meet with them.   Sometimes even your own neighbors may have a similar background.  Try to garner some type of relationship with them in such as way as they can possibly be your mentor, or at least periodically give you strong advice.  Can you run the business on a very small scale first if possible as a way of checking to see how viable it is?  Contact a local S.C.O.R.E. office and speak with retired business owners and executives.   Often they will give you absolutely crucial advice.    The SBDC in your area may be able to give advice.  Good Luck 

I agree with everything that's been said to give you some direction.  There's never been a better time to start your own business!   Whether you're going to make a product or offer services as a free lancer--the cost to accomplish so many small busienss tasks are lower than ever before.  That includes setting up your first website, looking for customers on social networking sites or finding partners using popular online sites like LinkedIn. I would  suggest 3 things: 1) Talk to as many small busienss owners as you can.  Ask them what lessons they've learned and what they recommend for you to do to make your decsion. 2) Read as many websites, blogs, books and magazines as you can about starting your own busienss.  If you feel like you're "drinking from a firehose", then you're doing the right level of research. 3)  Begin to document your ideas for what kinds of problems you want to help people, or businesses, solve.  Keep writing down what you are good at, what you love to do and don't stop until your "big idea" jumps off the page at you. One last piece of advice:  It doesn't matter how long it takes you to "make the plunge", because everyone has her own timeline. Good luck!

I agree with everything that's been said to give you some direction.  There's never been a better time to start your own business!   Whether you're going to make a product or offer services as a free lancer--the cost to accomplish so many small busienss tasks are lower than ever before.  That includes setting up your first website, looking for customers on social networking sites or finding partners using popular online sites like LinkedIn. I would  suggest 3 things: 1) Talk to as many small busienss owners as you can.  Ask them what lessons they've learned and what they recommend for you to do to make your decsion. 2) Read as many websites, blogs, books and magazines as you can about starting your own busienss.  If you feel like you're "drinking from a firehose", then you're doing the right level of research. 3)  Begin to document your ideas for what kinds of problems you want to help people, or businesses, solve.  Keep writing down what you are good at, what you love to do and don't stop until your "big idea" jumps off the page at you. One last piece of advice:  It doesn't matter how long it takes you to "make the plunge", because everyone has her own timeline. Good luck!

Hi, There's a lot to consider! For starters, check our our "Starting Up" assessment and 20 questions tools to evaluate whether or not owning a business is right for you. Then, explore the rest of our "Thinking About Starting" section to help you navigate these beginning steps.  Another approach you might consider is reaching out to a mentor, who may be able to offer valuable advice based off his or her own business experiences.