Pearl, Carl gave you a great tip - I would encourage you to check out SCORE. I will make a shameless plug for my business book 1 Week 1 Thing. It is a step by step building a business guide. It is written for mainly someone already in business. But, as friend who reviewed it said, it is like a Business 101 class. The e-book is only $4.95  https://www.amazon.com/Week-Th...

Well, Pearl, I think you have made a good decision to essentially asking for help or assistance, and what I can offer you is some advice, much like that which was given to me so many years ago. The first thing that I was told was to do what I love and that would ensure that I was always happy. If you go into a field that you do not love, you are not going to be happy and eventually that unhappiness will eat you up. So, do what you love, first and foremost.

The second thing to do is align yourself with like minded people who are in it for the same reasons you are. For me, I own an IT business and an important part of what we do is help those who are perhaps most at risk in this age of technology, our older generations who did not grow up on technology like I did and who are at risk of being scammed. This is where we come in and explain things in a way that they understand so that they can be a part of technology like the rest of us. We partner with others who are of the same mindset and who want to help others.

Third, work on being patient. This is a hard one, because we all want to help others and want it to happen quickly, but, at the same time, that might not be possible, so we have to be patient and know that the road will have bumps along the way that slow us down!

Hi Pearl! First of all, I love your heart and your mission. 💛 The fact that you’re already serving others through feeding the homeless and helping people shows that you have the passion and purpose that makes a business truly impactful.

Starting a business can feel overwhelming, but the key is clarity and strategy knowing what you want to build, who you want to serve, and how to create a sustainable income from it. You already have the heart for it; now it’s about creating the right plan to make it a reality.

I’d love to help guide you in the right direction! A great first step would be joining our Executive Business Roundtable it’s a free event where we’ll cover real strategies for launching and growing a business successfully. I think it could be really valuable for you! Register Here.

Hi Pearl.  Here is what I have.

1) Define the  product or service that you want to make/do.

2) Understand the benefits of said product or service.

3) Find out the exact cost of making/producing said product or service (this will be needed for pricing)- What are the cost of the materials to make it?

4) Define the goals your have for the business. 2 years, 5 year, 10 year, etc.  Be specific,

5) Find out what products and/or services are like yours, and how much they cost. (this will establish a base line market value for you)

6) Define your positing of your product/service in the market (where what you make is sold to consumers) Is it luxury or middle or budget thing?  Make sure the copywriting is clear to attach your products benefits to the ideal customers goals and needs.

7) Build a war chest - funds to weather the storm of the first 2 years of establishing the business, marketing/promotional endeavors and any of the random things that can occur.

8) Always use contracts.  Don't do things by faith when dealing with people.  Enforceable details keeps people honest and boundaries clear.

I hope that all helps get you started.  There is always more to learn and adapt to but that should get your head in the right space.

Visit SCOTE.ORG for free mentorship

Your heart for service and love for others is truly inspiring! I remember when I started my own journey, I realized that the same dedication I had for helping others could be turned into a business that not only made an impact but also secured my future. Your passion is a strong foundation, now it’s about structuring your vision into a plan that aligns with your purpose and sustains you long-term!

Visit www.SCORE.org/chicago for free mentorship

Always aim for win/win situations and everything should work out well. Don't sell yourself short and don't short anyone else. 

Blessings to you Pearl. Do you have any idea of the type of business you would like to start ? Also do you have any capital to invest in your business ?  Connect with me for me so we can talk.

Perline, I would love to connect with you to see if I could help you. I am currently out of connection credits.  If you would connect with me to talk, that would be great.