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By Alexis Garrett Stodghill

Most entrepreneurs start with an idea, or a love a particular industry. Having relied on their bosses to focus on the details of keeping their place of employment in order, many are at a loss when setting up their own companies. Bryan Janczko understands this scenario completely. As a small business owner who has started more than one enterprise and sold one for millions, his latest firm Wicked Start aims to transfer his wisdom to new entrepreneurs. Based on his own personal experience and that gained by answering many questions as a speaker on the small business lecture circuit, Janczko has formulated Wicked Start — a structured system to make starting a firm more manageable. The New York Times details how Wicked Start works:

The heart of Wicked Start is a series of customizable templates for each of 10 steps in starting up a business, running from producing a business plan to raising money to building the company’s infrastructure to marketing, and more. The site automatically tailors the templates to any of several industries, such as brick-and-mortar retail, e-commerce, consulting or food services, covering about 70 percent of start-ups, according to Mr. Janeczko, and users can further customize as needed. Each template lays out action items, including pinning down your business idea and creating PowerPoint presentations to hit up friends and relatives for financing. It goes on to help with taking on partners, setting up a marketing plan and signing a lease. The items prompt you to set deadlines and to create e-mail reminders to nudge you to stay on track. In a sense, it’s a project management tool that’s been thoroughly adapted to the project of getting a company off the ground.

Janczko stresses that Wicked Start does not have to be followed exactly to be helpful. While the program provides timelines and reminders in addition to forms, what sets it apart is its component of built-in inspiration. Wicked Start’s community features, how-to videos, and educational articles guide participants every step of the way with a human element that is missing from similar online tools.

Speaking of similar tools, The Times also recommends BizTree as an essential element for any start-up’s success. While a bit pricey at almost $250, BizTree grants access to over 1,500 downloadable documents that assist sole proprietors with forms for things like hiring employees and setting employee policies. Definitely a time and money saver for a small business.

The plethora of small business tools available online makes it easier than ever to get an idea off the ground and manage the process efficiently. Although capital, talent and drive are key, don’t underestimate the power of technology to fuel your new venture’s success.

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