WARNING: Entrepreneur in training.


It occurred to me that I might not have explained that this first week is just the introduction. This is just the 1st chapter, an overview of what is to come. dun, dun, dun, dun.. YIKES! Run away, Run away.

First things first: Look at the beautiful Hydrangea! It is better than showing off your children. Well, almost. I'm so excited. I must thank Judea, my youngest daughter for allowing me to use her camera. My oldest daughter has been using my camera, (while hers is in the shop)which my middle daughter gave me, when she got a newer one. My mom says we never throw anything away we just recycle it. We are the original recyclers. We're not Green we're just drawn that way.


OK, I have been busy this weekend with my new course. This course about how to open a business. The next item is about money.

• Starting a Business Costs Money.

OK here is where they want us to to know "It takes money to make money!" Well I know that sorta. I must say I am a little clueless on the actual costs. The course says we will have to start spending money two to three months before making your first sale. (That is a long time when you take a risk.) And, you need to have additional money to cover expenses. Where will I get money for star-up and initial operating costs? Two ways are listed. equity and debt. The facilitators talked about using the equity in your home or going to the bank and asking for a loan. Really this course should help with either. If I want to use the equity in my home or get a loan, I need to be realistic about how much moolah I need. Some people are willing to work hard for their business, but putting your home on the line, may be a different subject.

Here are 6 questions they ask:

1. What about my personal finances? Are they currently in good shape? (Now here they go to meddling.)


2. Do I know how to manage my money? (Didn't I say I could make a penny cry on both sides?)


3. What about my personal credit rating- good? (Have they been snooping into my credit card info? That Ronco veg-a-matic, was just a fluke!)


4. Would I be willing to use saved money to cover expenses? (Saved like becomming a Christian? I gave allready!)


5. Would I be comfortable borrowing money to cover expenses. (Borrow or Burrow? Do Burrows have to Borrow? Told you I like to ponder.)


6. Am I a good credit risk? (Good? Good? You know Jesus said only God is Good. I rest my case.)

I need to list 3 things to manage my money.

1. Set up an account with an accountant. Some things you should just pay for. If you have a hard time with money, or if you are a worrier, like moi', this would be good. I am of the mind that you become the best at what you do and delegate, pay for or just beg someone else to do those things you don't do well. After all there are people who like to do those things you don't do well. We can't be good at everything. Becoming a well rounded person is ok for school, and manners, but somethings you will get into trouble putting things off.


2. Don't talk about money with relatives or friends. OK, this isn't really about managing money, except we sometimes think it is ok to share with our family some of the things going on in our lives. I know some people think it is ok to borrow from family members, but I think it is very risky. I don't need to further complicate my relationships that are dear or just close by.


3. Be realistic in my judgement about how much money I need. One of the facilitators in the class says that most people underestimate how much they need. So I want to be informed. INPUT I need INPUT

• Starting a Business involves Risk Taking.

Here are some questions about taking a financial risk. What is the worst scenario that could happen? What is the best that could happen? Will I regret not giving it a try? (To me this is what I am really grappling with.) Can I walk away if it fails? (How do people fail again and again and save face? I'm not sure I can do that.

OK, I have more homework to do, but I just wanted to share the most exciting thing is we get to use a database search for our business plans. One of the facilitators told me that a colleague looked up shabby chic and couldn't find it. Well, he just didn't look in the right place. I put in shabby chic and found at least 180 articles about shabby chic.

This is my collage I am supposed to do to show what I would like my shop to look like.

Not that that is the total look for my shop. I probably will start there, because it is easy to paint everything white, but I'm sure I will evolve quickly into my look, which is mid-century meets shabby chic. I love the funky colors of mid-century, and I love how you can redo things to look shabby chic.

And I get to find out all that info about how many business there are in our county. What sells and how many people buy on an annual basis home decor. (Not many according to these statistics. Is that a good thing or bad thing?)

So I have been busy. This is a great class and if you have a SBA around you, you should look them up to see if they offer anything like this. Especially if losing your shirt or having headaches isn't your cup of tea.