Bob Phibbs, the Retail Doctor® blog at Retaildoc.com

Answer these four basic questions:
Realistically, not hopefully, what do sales have to be to breakeven within six months?
Realistically, how much time are you prepared to work in the business?
Realistically, who will your cusotmers be – and please don’t say, “everyone.” Not even Wal-Mart says that.
Realistically, how are you going to get the word out about your business- and please don’t say, “word of mouth.” That’s a bonus, not a marketing plan.
If you can answer those questions, you’ll be sure to avoid these five sins of a startup.

Reasons not to open a retail store or your own business:

I need to get out of the house.
I have some money I need to do something with.
I’m bored with my present job.
I want to be my own boss.
I want to do something with my husband/partner/wife.
I want to get the manufactuer discount and never pay retail again.