The only way to
discover the limits of the possible is to go beyond them into the
impossible.
Arthur C.
Clarke of Science Fiction fame
Startup
Business Costs Worksheet
Dig out your favorite database
program, Excel perhaps, and run your figures through this startup business
costs worksheet.
This
startup business costs worksheet should be a beginning, not an end.
Companies vary radically in terms of product and services needed for
startup, so add anything that you can think of as well. And delete
the line items that just don't apply to you.
Item
One time cost
Monthly Cost
6 Months
One Year
Total Needed
Operating Expenses
.
.
.
.
.
--Office rent
.
.
.
.
.
--Phone
.
.
.
.
.
--Equipment purchase/lease
.
.
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.
.
--Advertising
.
.
.
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.
--Utilities
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.
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--Office Supplies
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.
Professional Fees
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--Legal/Accounting
.
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--Web site costs
.
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--Graphics
.
.
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.
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--Writer/Researcher
.
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.
.
.
Printing/Shipping
.
.
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.
.
Travel & Entertainment
.
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.
.
.
--Airfare
.
.
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--Hotel
.
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--Taxis, car rental
.
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--Entertainment
.
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--Meals with travel
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Product Development
.
.
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--Designer/Model Maker
.
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--Testing
.
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.
.
Facilities lease
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Employee cost
.
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Personal expenses
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--Rent/House payment
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--Car payment/gas
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--Insurance - car
.
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--Insurance - health
.
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--Food
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.
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--Clothing
.
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.
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Other
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.
.
TOTAL
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.
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.
.
No
matter how long the list gets, the business costs worksheet always
seems to leave out something important. So add whatever you think is
important.
And
remember,
If
you have had no previous businesses, double your estimate;
If
you have had one or two previous businesses, add 50% to your estimate;
and
If
you have had three or more businesses, you should be right on target.