Small business: Avoiding the pitfalls as a start-up

Thanks to modern technology and the Internet, it's become relatively easy for just about any aspiring entrepreneur to start a business.

In fact, it may be too easy, say small-business experts, considering that 86 percent of all small businesses fail within the first three years.

If you want to avoid the same fate for your own start-up, you need to lay the proper foundation and groundwork from the beginning and not take any shortcuts.

"Planning is essential," explains Stephanie Chandler, a Gold River, Calif.-based consultant, speaker and author of "The Business Startup Checklist and Planning Guide" (Aventine Press). "Not only does it prepare the business, but it removes a lot of fear from the equation. "

To get started:

And remember to name your business and conduct a trademark search to ensure the name's availability.

"It takes all your thoughts and concepts and puts it on paper and makes it real," says Kalli Kontos, a 17-year veteran clinical social worker and addiction specialist who worked with the Farmingdale State center to construct her own business plan before launching Kontos Psychotherapy in October. The business, which provides mental health counseling, has offices in West Babylon and Garden City.

Freelance writer

Computer tutor

Pet sitter

Notary service provider

Cleaning service provider

Resume designer

Source: Stephanie Chandler (Click here to read an article on her start-up ideas.)