Evaluate Your Idea

Ideas are everywhere. Successful entrepreneurs know that not every idea is a good business opportunity. Before you bet the ranch on your idea, take the time  to research who will buy your product or service and what competition you will face.

• The Missouri Small Business and Technology Development Centers offer a step-by-step guide to Evaluating Your Business Idea 
• The Small Business Administration (SBA) provides a checklist to start and run a business. 
• Answer these 14 questions to determine your RAMP: return on investment, advantages, market and potential. 
• The Evaluate Your Idea checklist, created by Princeton Creative Research, outlines a series of questions to help you determine if your idea should be launched into a business. 
• Entrepreneur Magazine presents a concise summary of the pros and cons of Buying a Franchise
• SBA FranNet offers tutorials on whether a franchise is a good choice for you, and if so, which one
• The SBA also provides information on Buying an Existing Business

Local libraries offer a wealth of information, resources and databases to help you determine feasibility. Go to  and select Libraries/Research Organizations and Business Research Resources.