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Starting a
Commercial Building Permit Business
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Q.
I have been
exploring the idea of setting up a permit business for the last 3 years. What
has slowed me up has been a few physical concerns. These have been resolved
and am now attempting to proceed but need some help. The business of
processing commercial building permits is fairly simple. Documents required,
payment of fees and in what form, time schedules for review of plans by
various departments and attention to tracking progress are easy to handle. The
writing of a business plan that holds a person's attention is the biggest
concern. A service-oriented business can seem very uninteresting
especially when a person does not come from a construction background. Would
it be possible to write what I can and have someone help me punch up the
details? Need suggestions. Thanks, Caryl
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A.
Dear Caryl:
In my opinion, a little "oomph" would be great for
your business plan, and I agree that there has to be some way to
make what you want to do appear to have some intrigue and
excitement -- especially if you are looking for investors and/or
loans. What most people do is to hire a business plan writer,
which I disagree with....basically for the same reasons you have
stated - they are b-o-r-i-n-g! I suggest either a marketing
expert or a journalist. Both types of professions work hard at
making their "words" enticing so that people will read
them (and possibly act on them).
Additionally, it may help to have someone who is completely
unknowledgeable about the business you are looking at, read the
document. If someone who is clueless (so to speak) reads it, and
can understand what you are proposing, then you should have good
luck with those it is meant for.
Be sure, when you do the business plan, that you add a marketing
plan to it as well. Business plans are grand for helping you set
and reach your goals, but they do not do much for showing your
intended audience HOW you are planning on bringing the income to
the business. A favorite lesson of mine, when dealing with
business and marketing plan writing is: Specificity is the key
to effective communication. Best of luck!
About
the PowerHomeBiz.com Guide:
 Tammy
Harrison is a successful home-based working mom for over five
years. She holds a degree from Mizzou in Consumer Economics. Her
business focuses on Marketing
as well as numerous other small businesses. For more
information, you may contact her at http://www.jdharrison.com
The opinions expressed in this column
are those of the author, not of PowerHomeBiz.com. Users should not treat the
Guide's response as legal, accounting, or professional advice as all answers
are intended to be general in nature. Such advice can only be properly given
by qualified professionals who are fully aware of a user's specific
geographical areas or circumstances, such as an attorney or accountant.
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