When to Open Your Business

There really aren't too many hard and fast rules for when to open your business. It'll largely depend on your individual circumstances.

The simple answer to the question "when?" is: at the point when you've completed all of the steps you need to take in order to set up your business. The important point to remember is that you shouldn't start the business before you're really ready. In some cases, the "when" will be decided for you.

Suppose you find what you believe is the ideal location for your new business. In that case, you may not have much choice in negotiating the lease. You may have to start the business whenever the lease begins.

In any event, here are a couple of suggestions for timing the start of your business:

• If your business is seasonal, start it at the beginning of your strongest season.

If you intend to start a landscaping business in a cold weather climate, start it at the end of winter or the beginning of spring.

• If you want to open a retail business, consider starting it the day after Thanksgiving to get holiday shopping season traffic. Many businesses make the bulk of their money between Thanksgiving and Christmas.