Start Up
Just starting out? These guides, tools and case studies will help you plan your way to success.
Idea Feasibility
Idea Feasibility
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Before you start a business it’s important to work out if your idea will be worth the financial, personal and time risk. -
If you’ve got a promising business idea, relax and follow the steps outlined in our business start-up guide to turn it into reality. -
Completing our Feasibility Health Check highlights the main things every start-up business needs to get right to succeed. - 10 min. -
Calculating your breakeven point helps you set new targets, experiment with different pricing, costs and margins to test feasibility. -
Weigh up the cost and issues of entering a new market (especially if it’s an export market) with the potential returns. -
Joe and Dawn Cruz in Rhode Island have managed to weather the storm with a reputation for hard work and excellence. -
A mature coffee industry didn’t stop Mike Shea from starting his coffee roasting company but he did have a few challenges along the way. -
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Robyn Riseberg knew she wanted to make a difference and give back when she started Boston Community Pediatrics. -
Lulu Green is a café in Boston selling soups, smoothies, juices, dinners and everything in between. But they’re not your normal café. -
Download this One page plan to quickly map out a strategy that gives you that competitive edge to ensure survival. -
Stand out and get noticed over your competition. Ensure potential customers understand your ‘USP’ (what makes you different/better). -
Planning is important to help established small businesses and start-ups achieve their goals. Check out our templates and guides.
Raising Capital
Raising Capital
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Loan for business owners who complete HarborOne’s Success for Small Business (SSB) program. Available to start-ups and subject to credit approval. -
Before you go down the path of seeking capital from outside your business, identify any other ways you could raise the funds. -
The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers loan programs in partnership with banks to help small businesses obtain financing. -
This template will help you calculate how much money you’ll need to have before you venture out into your new business. -
Here's a summary of the information and paperwork we'll need when you apply to us for an SBA loan. -
If you’re not able to raise enough capital to start-up you might be able to use unconventional or low-cost methods. -
Predicting cash flow is essential when applying for small business loans and grants. Use this template to create your forecasts. -
Set out where your small business will go in the next 1-2 years to help support your application for loans or government grants. -
Working out a ballpark estimate of the revenue potential of your business is useful when applying for small business funding.
Launch
Launch
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How a single mom started a business specializing in body products that are gentle on sensitive skin. -
There are five key things you can do to get new customers when you first start out, probably best tackled in this order. -
Use this checklist to ensure you have all of the essential elements covered when developing your online marketing strategy. -
You won't get marketing perfect the first time and there’s bound to be some trial-and-error to learn what works best. -
Use this template as a blueprint for targeting new customers and re-evaluating your competitive advantage.
Disclaimer
For informational purposes only. There is NO WARRANTY, expressed or implied, for the accuracy of this information or its applicability to your financial situation. Please consult your financial and/or tax advisor.
