Section #2 

 

You have created your Business Plan and are now ready to get started. Getting started can be overwhelming as you identify the resources you need to start your business. 

 

What do you need to do first to start your business?
 

• Create a brand. People need to know who you are and what product or service you offer. Creating your brand is an important first step. When creating a brand, you need to consider the following: 

  • Your company (or product) name. Your name is the first place to start. Compile a list of names. Do they accurately portray your product or service? Are they clever – or too clever? You want to make it easy for your customers to know what you do or what your product is.  

  • Secure your company name.

    • Research your name through sources like GoDaddy to confirm your name is available for use.

    • Consider if you need to trademark your name.  

    • Secure your business URL once your name is selected and consider purchasing multiple variations of your URL, such as PawCrowd.com, PawCrowd.org PawCrowd.net, etc. 

    • Create an email account. 

  • Create a logo and tagline. Consider multiple logo treatments, including color,  black and white and reversing your logo out in white. 
     

• Develop a Company Mission Statement that explains why your company/product exists and what pet-related need it fills. 
   

• Develop Marketing Materials
  Before you prepare your marketing materials, give some consideration as to how they will be distributed. For example, if you are only going to market online, you may choose not to develop a brochure or flyer if you have website. Here’s a quick list of marketing materials to consider: 

  • Business cards  

  • Product or services brochure or flyer  

  • Simple website. It doesn’t have to be a complicated website. You can create a simple page where your followers can find you and learn more about you. Remember, you can always update your website. It’s important you get a page active to support your business.
     

• Set up your social media channels so you can create a following and communicate with your target audience on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.  

 

You may not think you need to create all of this right away, but all of these pieces are critical to help you establish credibility as a business now.   

 

If you need assistance, call us at 610-594-9555 or email pawcrowd@comcast.net for a free consultation.

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Stacey Greiner 

PawCrowd CMO, Certified Career Coach, and Pet Parent 

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Section #1 — Creating a Pet Business Concept and Building Your Business Plan