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New Company Wish List

By |December 11th, 2014|

 
The holidays are here. What’s on your list?

Business Plan Templates for Mac Users: 
We recommend ION FreshStart. Sample business plans, pre-written master template business plan, integrated financials, request for funding applications, investment packages, presentation slideshows.

Company Software and Web Design:
We recommend Revelation Software. Revelation specializes in high-specification custom online stores, web apps, cloud software and more. They focus on high quality e-commerce solutions and emphasize (and deliver on) the critical need for a great user experience.

Web Hosting:
We recommend Hostgator. They offers excellent hosting service with an array of different packages at affordable prices.

Communication:
We recommend SkypeYou can always be in touch with Skype. Global phone service, instant messaging, and video chatting.

Printed Business Card:
We recommend Moo. Choose from a wonderful selection of clever, pre-created designs or upload your own design. Cards are of exceptional quality.

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Hope all of your wishes come true!
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ION FreshStart Advanced Business Planning – Download Today and Get Started

One time fee of $39, No monthly subscriptions

Free Upgrades

30-day Money Back Guarantee

Versions for iWork’09 and iWork’13

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ION FreshStart created Advanced Business Planning for Mac users who need a template version of a comprehensive and impressive business plan. It includes a master business plan template, pre-written sample business plans, complete and professional financials, request for funding workbooks, Keynote presentations, and many more professionally planned template style documents.

The template files use iWork’13 or iWork’09 (Pages, Numbers, Keynote). To learn more about Advanced Business Planning, visit www.ionfreshstart.com.

 

Using Microsoft Office? (Mac or PC) Visit www.perfectlittlebusinessplan.com

How to Write a Great Business Plan

By |March 27th, 2014|

write a business plan

 HOW TO WRITE A GREAT BUSINESS PLAN    

A business plan communicates a company’s value proposition to partners and investors while generating a roadmap for a growing company’s employees, advisors and customers. Business plans are the catalyst by which companies “get in the door,” and are heavily scrutinized by investors, particularly in today’s economic climate.

When establishing credibility it is critical that a business plan not over-estimate the market, under-estimate competition, or project results over-aggressively. Rather, the plan must present realistic and reasonable actions for achieving success. While the average business plan is 30 pages, most investors only read one page of a plan. It takes a wonderful business plan for an investor to spend the time to read it in its entirety. Obviously, you want an investor to review your business plan in-full, be interested, intrigued even, and wanting more. Your business plan should possess accurate and relevant content, but it must also be written in a manner that piques interest. In order to achieve this with success, you may need assistance.

The goal is to satisfy your needs while simultaneously meeting the needs of the reader. Upon completion of your business plan you will want to be an expert on your market, an expert about your customer, and have stable comprehension of the financial reports that are included. Your confidence in the information presented in your business plan will be evident to your readers, which, in turn, further enhances your original goal: convincing your reader that you have what it takes to create a viable business. If your reader has questions, you will be able to answer them with no problems. 

Business Plan Features that an Investor Wants to See

The best indicator of future success is a company’s past track record. Even if your company is a start-up, an investor wants you, or someone in your game plan to possess a track record of success, and this should be demonstrated in your business plan. This does not have to be success in business, but success in life. Make a list of personal and professional achievements and have them ready to share with an investor. (i.e. 15 years of marriage; graduated high school or college; successful field and track runner). Do not give up hope. If you have no notable past accomplishments, this is a great opportunity to make a case for your passion and vision regarding your product or service offering. This will usually do a good job of compensating for less than stellar track record.

Define and communicate a credible relevant market size.

Understanding your market and the metrics of your market are essential. Tossing ambiguous statistics and “facts” around is a red-flag for investors; they will know that you do not have a handle on your market.

Clearly identify your customer’s needs and how you will meet those needs.

If your business plan does not specify your customer’s needs in detail, but goes on for pages about what you will provide, that is an equation for disaster. The investor will assume that you either 1) have not identified your customer, or 2) your customer is not a high priority.

Realistic numbers, please.

Investors put just as much emphasis on the actual monetary figures as they do on your ability to report. They realize that most of the numbers and figures presented in a business plan are fabricated. First, because they have to be; they are projections, and secondly because they are frequently padded by overly optimistic entrepreneurs. Credible financial assumptions are required for a business plan’s survival.

Good investment opportunity.

Do not make the investor read between the lines. Spelling out the exact logic behind the investment proposal will make your reader happy. Also, make sure it is a good investment opportunity by seeking opinions or professional advice. 

A business plan should be short…

preferably 25 pages, 35 pages maximum. A better indication of length is the time is takes to read it. It should not take longer than 15 minutes to complete.

A business plan should be simple.

You must cover a lot of information in 35 pages or less, so the less complex, the better. If you are presenting a highly technical plan to readers that may not understand your business, take the time and effort to write on your reader’s level.

GET STARTED

If you use a Mac (or iPad) and iWork, starting your business plan has never been easier. ION FreshStart’s Advanced Business Planning has all of the verbiage, content, financials, formulas, presentations, and tools to get you moving on the right track. For more information, visit www.ionfreshstart.com

Learn to Master Public Speaking

By |February 3rd, 2014|

Photograph by Julian Wasser/Time Life Pictures/Getty Images

MLK Jr. Photograph by Julian Wasser/Time Life Pictures/Getty Images

 

Public speaking is challenging and scary for most of us. Is it because you are the focal point in the room? Yes. Are people judging your appearance, intelligence and speaking skills? Yes. Being nervous because all eyes are on you is normal and to be expected, but let’s remove the other issues that make public speaking frightening. Look your best, know your stuff, and know how to present it. We’ve gathered some tips from the experts to help ease the pain. (Our internet round-up)

 

 3 Speaking Tricks You’ve Got to Try (really it is 4) – Inc.  http://www.inc.com/jill-krasny/github-zach-holman-speaking-tips.html

 

10 Tips for Public Speaking – Toastmasters International  http://www.toastmasters.org/tips.asp

 

5 1/2 Public Speaking Lessons from the Golden Globes – QuickAndDirtyTips  http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/business-career/public-speaking/5-12-public-speaking-lessons-from-the-golden-globes

 

9 Habits of Highly Effective Speakers – Inc.  http://www.inc.com/bill-murphy-jr/9-things-great-speakers-always-do.html?cid=readmore

 

18 Public Speaking Tips – HowStuffWorks  http://www.howstuffworks.com/18-tips-for-public-speaking.htm

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ION FreshStart was established exclusively for Mac Users. Our Advanced Business Planning solution helps business owners and entrepreneurs with strategic business planning and financial modeling, all from the comfort of a Mac. We use iWork Pages, Numbers and Keynote. For more information about Advanced Business Planning, visit:  ionfreshstart.com

Why You’ll Love Advanced Business Planning

By |January 29th, 2014|

lovebusinessplan


It Works

The Advanced Business Planning system contains all of the information and details you will need to create high quality, very professional business plans, financials, and presentations. You customize the contents and make it the exact business plan that you want, while simultaneously preparing the business plan investors and partners want to see.  See what’s included >>

You Can Use Your Mac

iWork (Pages, Numbers, Keynote) is an amazing suite of applications that Mac users love. If presentation is everything, iWork is the answer. If accuracy and sophistication are what you are looking for, combine iWork and Advanced Business Planning and you will be very pleased.

The Price Is Right

For one easy payment of $39 (no subscriptions, no reoccurring fees) you receive professional pre-written content, robust financials that are easy to use, sample business plans, financing and investment proposals, and dynamic presentations. All in one download; all for just $39.

It’s No Risk

Not a risk taker? Our 30-day money back guarantee allows you to really take a nice test drive and if you do not love it, you get every penny back, no questions asked.

You Can Start Today

Purchase, download, and get going. Your professional, well written, attractive business plan is right at your finger tips.

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For more information about ION FreshStart’s Advanced Business Planning, visit www.ionfreshstart.com

Inbox FAQ: Money Back Guarantee?

By |April 25th, 2011|

We answers questions from our email inbox:

H: Do you offer any type of money back guarantee?

ION FreshStart: Yes. We offer a full 30 day Money Back Guarantee. If you are not satisfied with our Advanced Business Planning solution, email us within 30 calendar days of your purchase and we will issue a full refund.

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ION FreshStart’s Advanced Business Planning was created for Mac users who use iWork to build professional, sophisticated and successful business plans. Additional information can be found at: www.ionfreshstart.com

Companies We Love: E-junkie

By |April 5th, 2011|

Companies We Love: E-junkie

When we launched ION FreshStart in the summer of 2009, we used a shopping cart solution that required upgrading anytime we exceeded a certain amount of orders in one month, and they took a tiered percentage of the total revenues per month. If we did not upgrade in time, people could not place orders. And some months the fees seemed outrageous in comparison to our profits. Needless to say, after month two, we were eagerly searching for another solution. At first, we did not think we’d find anything – but, thankfully, we found E-junkie.

Why we love E-junkie:

Easy: It is easy for us to use and easy for our customers to use.

Flat Fee: We are charged one, low fee each month – regardless of the website’s volume. We know exactly what to expect.

Management: Managing our digital goods, paying our affiliates, creating codes for downloads – everything is easily managed in one centralized system.

Multiple Payment Choices: e-junkie integrates with PayPal, Google Checkout, Authorize.net, ClickBank, 2CheckOut

Customer Service: Customer service is timely, friendly and solution-ready. Can’t ask for more than that.

The Benefits keep going. Check it out.

We are very pleased with E-junkie – we think they make our life easier. We highly recommend E-junkie to a company selling digital or tangible goods online. Research several providers and compare pricing, services and customer service – then make a sound decision. Test out the one you think is the best fit, and if they are not what you need, move to the next one. It is worth the time and effort. An effective and efficient shopping cart solution plays a major part in your company’s success.

For more about E-junkie, visit: www.e-junkie.com

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ION FreshStart uses E-junkie to distribute a digital download product: Advanced Business Planning. This download is a series of business planning templates and workbooks created in iWork (Pages, Numbers, Keynote). Mac users can download this business planning kit and take advantage of using applications that they already have on their comupters. For more about ION FreshStart, visit www.ionfreshstart.com.

Inbox FAQ: How Does It Work?

By |January 13th, 2011|

We answer questions from our email inbox:

BW: I have glanced over your site and wanted to find out how it works. I have a Macbook, what other programs do I need to support your software? I saw iWork is needed, is that the case? Please let me know as I am trying to buy some software ASAP.

ION FreshStart: Thank you for your interest in our product. The Advanced Business Planning kit contains templates, worksheets and sample plans that were created in Pages, Numbers and Keynote. You will only need iWork to use these. (There are also PDF documents) The download is not software, but those series of documents.

Additional details are here: http://ionfreshstart.com/included.html

and here: http://ionfreshstart.com/faq.html

Also, Why You Do Not Need Software to Build A Business Plan

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ION FreshStart’s Advanced Business Planning was created for Mac users who use iWork to build professional, sophisticated and successful business plans. Additional information can be found at: www.ionfreshstart.com

Black Friday

By |November 26th, 2010|

If you are thinking of starting a business using Apple equipment, today is a perfect day to take the plunge. You rarely find Apple products discounted, prices are set by Apple themselves, but Black Friday brings out the savings. Don’t expect huge reductions, but if you’re in the market for a new iMac, MacBook Pro, iPhone or iPad, it’s a great opportunity to save a few bucks.

You can shop online at the Apple Online Store, or visit an Apple retail location. Don’t forget to pick up a copy of iWork too!

The natural next step is to download ION FreshStart’s Advanced Business Planning. Get started today!

Mac People Start Businesses Too

By |August 28th, 2009|

Mac Business People

Mac People Start Businesses Too

As the recently unemployed contemplate their next moves during this recession, employed individuals, while perhaps grateful for their jobs, are thoughtfully considering what the future holds as well. Awkward and uneasy economical times make us all think differently.* Being risky seems practical and being safe seems dangerous. What do we have to lose when we have close to nothing? For many, the entrepreneur-bug is biting. Now is the perfect time to break out of the pack and start something new. Now is the perfect time to launch a business that provides a product or service that is badly needed. If not now, when?

If you use a Mac, you already know that there are severe limitations when starting your business. Fortunately, things are getting better for the Mac user. Applications, platforms and software are increasingly becoming Mac compatible. When creating a business plan, you now have more options. Advanced Business Planning from ION FreshStart has tools that are created specifically for the Mac Entrepreneur. (iWork: Pages, Numbers and Office for Mac: Word, Excel) Check out the entire program here.

May your Mac serve you well as you start your new venture.

* Think Different

New ION FreshStart Blog

By |August 6th, 2009|

Welcome to the ION FreshStart Blog!

On this blog:
We will address business plan creation and business planning topics.
We will highlight interesting happenings in the world of business.
We will showcase helpful tips for Advanced Business Planning.
We will be happy to discuss Mac and PC applications.

Sharing Our Philosophy

We believe that the spirit of entrepreneurship is more alive today than ever before. In this ultra-competitive world, the company that is most composed, shines the brightest, and has the best value proposition will attract the right investors, partners, employees and yes, customers. So many great people and wonderful ideas never succeed in business and we want to help change that.

Value. We understand that value is more than cost efficiencies, it is worth. Our desire is to provide a worthy and valuable product and service to our customers.

Responsibility. We believe in ethical business practices. We like to tell our customers exactly what they are getting from us and why. We also practice green working and living.

Golden Rule. We believe in doing unto others as we’d have them do unto us. We believe in helping others without the expectation of the same in return. We understand that happiness, not hard work, is the key to success.

We know that we are not perfect and being perfect is not our goal. We simply want to do what we do best in hopes that our customers benefit. And, if we can do that and feel really good about it, we are succeeding with our business.

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This is not a forum, however, your comments and suggestions are always welcome. While we do not moderate comments, we do reserve the right to delete SPAM. We kindly request that if you choose to comment, please stay on topic and refrain from foul language.