Make a business plan.
 

Two years ago while living in Costa Rica, myself and a good friend came up with a dream. We wanted to build/run a resort in Costa Rica.

When we started this process, we had only a dream and a lot to learn. Largely due to the dedication and work ethic of my partner, and good friend, it's progressed to a viable and presentable offering. It's taken nearly two years to research, research some more, document and present all the facts and ideas in the form of a formal business plan.

Now we're at the stage of raising private investment. I don't know what the future holds for this particular project. If I can raise the investment, and secure bank financing, I know it will be profitable (and highly at that). If I can't raise the investment I need, I will have at least learned an awful lot. The CFO of a major US Shipyard said it best when he told me "Regardless of if this is the right opportunity for you, what you have learned along the way is invaluable".

You don't need to have an MBA to run your business in a professional and organized manner. A business plan will help you organize where you're going, as well as serve as a valuable metrics by which to judge your successes.

Here's a link I found handy along the way http://www.planware.org/bizplan.htm#6

True, but i wonder how many people here have an MBA :D

Perhaps you already know this but, if you're going to run a business with a partner, make sure you have all the details of that partnership written and signed in a contract. Never just go into a business as "friends".

I bet its a 100% succes.

Good luck with your venture Warchild.

I'm still waiting for you email.

bussiness on GFY... bump for that!

business on GFY... bump for that!

cool stuff Warchild,
i know you guys have had this in your pipe for along time...hopefully it happens, ill be comiing down to stay ther for sure.

Never mind. I got it.

Thanks for the vote of cofidence.

Imagine a webmaster access show, at a hotel owned and controlled by webmasters. I see the potential for a wild time ...

I've seen pics of this place and it looks awesome!

Would the current owners of the hotel be hip to doing some kind of a vendor take back where they hold some of the mortgage for you?

DH

This is an option we've thought about. The owner would in fact carry some of the financing. For reasons I won't go in to here, we've ruled that option out.

Probably very few.

I am lucky. My CFO is a CMA / MBA. I'll tell you that after reading countless buisness texts, I've found a whole new respect for Business Majors.