HELP! That's the first word that comes to mind right after deciding to open your own business. We're not born with the skills, talents and information required to take the plunge. We all have to learn somewhere.

Remember my history in business. I had to learn the hard way that being your own boss requires a great deal of expertise, training, knowledge, support, risk and money. I'd go back into a retail store or "typical" business setting again… right after I had my face removed! I learned what Success Factors had to be in place for a business to win and I learned that you can't do it all on your own. I'm not unhappy about the experience of owning a standard business, actually I'm glad I went about it the way I did... but if I had it to do all over again, I would save the money.

You see, this business doesn't require you to form a company and file special income tax reports. You're simply an independent contractor - you get a 1099 form at the end of the year. It couldn't be easier - and there you have the first and most important advice we'll be offering.

We want and need for you to succeed in this business, so we plan on guiding you along the way. Here are some of the things you can expect from us:

We'll help you formulate your goals. I've heard it said that most people spend more time planning their vacation than planning their retirement. And very few ever write down their goals. Goals are important in any business, and you should have a clear picture of what yours are. It's like planning a trip... if you don't know how long it will take you or where you're going... how do you pack the right amount of underwear?

The most important thing we'll do for you is stop you from going out there by yourself. When you decide the time is right to present this opportunity to others, we'll help you approach whomever you wish. When we sit down to go through the short presentation, one of us will make the presentation and you'll come along for the ride and the experience... and we'll have a good time doing it.

FACT: If someone here is going to fail in front of someone he or she knows... it isn't going to be you. You're new. Don't approach the people you would most want in your business unless you really know the business. You don't know the business. We do. You will, but until that time let us help you succeed by doing the talking for you.

When you reach the first serious level of accomplishment (takes some a week, once we decided it took us 10 days), I'll set you up with web design and business cards as described in the "Free Services" area. You'll have a serious tool to advertise your business at the lowest cost possible. But we won't make that commitment until you've shown us you're serious, and personally comfortable with both us and the business. You'll show us by doing what we did in the beginning... with our help.

We'll train you to do the same for others, and I'll do the web design part myself if you aren't ready... under the rules I've listed in "Free Services". If you like dealing with the computer, you can start doing that as well... but I'll still be there to assist if you need it.

We'll show you how to build your business correctly, to maximize your income and avoid mistakes that can cost you in the future.

We'll make you a part of a growing group of people in the area working together in this business. We can't stress enough the importance of gathering to talk it over... and plan... and share product stories and high carbohydrate treats. We don't sing the company song or get up on chairs... this is a business and we all treat it as a business. But we do like those treats.

We'll introduce you to the person who helped us start our business... you know, that brilliant fellow mentioned in the "My Story" section. You'll like him and then he'll help you make money... then you'll like him more.

That's about all we'll do for you. Not bad, since we work for free.