Does the idea of running your own business sound exciting? Do you have a business up and running and want to take it to the next level?

After coaching hundreds of entrepreneurs at various stages of their evolution, Ive found that the answers to these 5 questions can make or break any endeavor. Of course there are lots of other areas that must be addressed, however these will get you moving in the right direction quickly.

Shhh, dont tell anyone. Once you have these answers, youve created a basic and relatively painless (dare I say it?) Down and Dirty Business Plan.

Are you ready? Go for it!

1. What problem do you solve?

You MUST begin here. If you dont know what problem you solve, you dont have a snowballs chance. What real need do your potential customers/clients have that isnt be fully addressed yet? Wheres their pain?

2. For whom do you solve it? or What is your niche?

In todays economy, the best (many say the only) way to market your goods or services is to be very specific about targeting your potential customers. You can locate them, they can find you, and others can refer to you. This is scary for most entrepreneurs because it means saying No to some people. Let it go. It works!

3. Whos your competition?

Its time to become a stealth researcher. Who else is doing anything like what youre doing? Whats their niche? How do they market? What do they charge? How long have they been in business? How are they unique?

4. How will you market your business?

Study your competition. Whats working for them? Model their success. Improve it. Think outside the box. Where does your niche hang out? Will you network, place ads in local papers, or do some PR? How about using Google pay per clicks?

5. Why you?

Why will your potential customers go to you instead of the competition? What makes you uniquely qualified to solve their problem(s)? Is there a specific solution you have that they dont? Can you be more cost effective and/or efficient? Is your service unparalleled? If you dont know why theyd choose you, your market wont know why either!

So there you have it - your Down and Dirty Business Plan. Feel free to revisit your answers and tweak them as you take in new information and experiences.

Take care of business and remember to have fun! Suz